Press Release - 2009 State of the State
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OFFICE OF GOVERNOR BILL RITTER, JR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, JAN. 8, 2009
CONTACT:
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us
GOV. RITTER CALLS FOR BIPARTISAN FOCUS ON JOBS
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Delivering his annual State of the State Address, Gov. Bill Ritter today called for an unprecedented bipartisan focus on jobs and the economy to help Colorado weather the worldwide economic crisis.
Gov. Ritter said the achievements of the past 24 months -- including building a New Energy Economy, attracting thousands of new jobs and undertaking comprehensive education reforms -- have put Colorado on a more solid financial footing than many other states.
Those achievements, coupled with sound decisions to be made this legislative session and beyond, along with having a stronger federal partner with the incoming Obama administration, will better position Colorado for a quicker rebound when the economy recovers, Gov. Ritter said.
"In this legislative session, in this tough economy, we'll need to make tough choices, we'll need to collaborate and listen to one another as we chart a Colorado way forward," Gov. Ritter said. "Our challenges need more than just Democratic ideas or Republican ideas. We need uniquely Colorado ideas.
"Families and businesses throughout Colorado are facing challenges they haven't seen in generations," Gov. Ritter said. "Families are making different decisions, setting different priorities, and sacrificing. Just like every family in Colorado, we'll need to make tough choices here in the Capitol as well.
"Over the next 120 days, our collective focus must be on protecting businesses, creating jobs, and managing the budget. I will look at everything we work on this session through the lens of the economy -- of what's responsible now and what's best for the long run."
Gov. Ritter said his priorities this session will be on:
"We must honor our sacred trust with voters by working together to make the tough choices that lie ahead," Gov. Ritter said. "One hundred years from now, I want Coloradans to look back and see this as the turning point -- the point when we set aside partisan politics and worked together as Coloradans and built a New Energy Economy, a modern transportation system, and the country's best education system.
"We must not give in to partisan politics. We must not let cynicism win out over hope. We must not let fear win out over faith," he said. "The people of Colorado are counting on us to govern well. We have been given the privilege of serving, the responsibility of charting a clear path forward. Let's make good on the Colorado Promise, together."