2013 Legislative Session Opening Day

As Prepared for Delivery
Congratulations Mr. Speaker.
Congratulations Delegates.
Greetings fellow Marylanders:
We begin the 2013 session in the strongest position in years. What we have given to one another, over these last six years in the face of all the economic adversity we have faced, was not denial. It was not simply hope. It was belief.
A belief that we are stronger than the challenges that we face. A belief that we're all in this together. A belief that with better choices we can create jobs, expand opportunity, and move our State forward.
And with better choices that's exactly what we've done:
Better choices that are creating and recovering jobs and putting Marylanders back to work.
Better choices that have put us on the verge of knocking out our inherited structural deficit and allowed us to protect our Triple A Bond Rating -- one of only 8 in the nation certified to a state by all three rating agencies.
Better choices that have allowed us to build America's #1 best public school system and to do more than any other state to keep down the cost of college tuition.
Better choices that have given law enforcement new tools so that together we could drive down violent crime and homicides to three decade lows.
Better choices that are restoring the health of our Bay and protecting the health of moms, dads, and children in every part of our State.
Progress is a choice. Job creation is a choice. Whether we will continue to move forward in this session over the next three months -- this too is a choice. And that's why in the days, weeks and months ahead I'll ask for your help on legislation that creates jobs, expands opportunity and protects our quality of life.
Thank you all very much.

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