Criminal Justice Guide to 2021 State of the State Speeches

Hover over states in the map below to see excerpts from governors’ 2021 State of the State speeches:

fullstate,abbreviation,x,y,governor,date,link,quote,Behavioral Health,Collateral Consequences,Education/Employment,Juvenile Justice,Law Enforcement,Pretrial/ Sentencing,Prison Environment/Staffing,Jail & Prison Population,Racial Bias,Reentry/Recidivism Reduction,Victims,Violent Crime,Criminal Justice Reform,Substance Use Treatment
Alabama,AL,6,7,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Alaska,AK,0,0,Mike Dunleavy (R-AK),"Jan. 28, 2021",https://gov.alaska.gov/newsroom/2021/01/28/2021-state-of-the-state-address/,"Today, I’m happy to report that our communities are filled with less crime and more troopers. Thanks to the brave work of Alaska’s finest… …we experienced a 10% drop in crime last year. …we trained a historic number of recruits at the Alaska State Trooper Academy and are on track to do so again in 2021. …we became the first of eight western states to upgrade our fingerprint system, increasing our ability to successfully identify perpetrators by 30%. …we released more funds than ever before to our 35 domestic violence shelters, child advocacy centers, and victim services programs. …we solved a number of long-standing cold cases, allowing the families of Sophie Sergie, Jessica Baggen, and Shelley Connolly to receive justice at long last. My administration is committed to solving every one of these cases to bring justice to every family. …and we remain on track to clear the state’s longstanding sexual assault kit testing backlog by this September.",X,,,,X,,,,,,X,,,
Arizona,AZ,5,3,Doug Ducey  (R-AZ),"Jan. 11, 2021",https://azgovernor.gov/governor/news/2021/01/governor-ducey-delivers-state-state-address-outlines-2021-priorities,"Among other agenda items requiring our attention, let’s work on … better equipment and training for law enforcement … criminal justice reform …",,,,,X,,,,,,,,X,
Arkansas,AR,5,6,Asa Hutchinson (R-AR),"Jan. 12, 2021",https://governor.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/210112_State_of_the_State.pdf,"We need laws that will assure that our police officers have the highest standards, are fully trained, funded, and supported. And yes, we want laws to increase accountability and oversight as well.",,,,,X,,,,,,,,,
California,CA,5,2,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Colorado,CO,4,3,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Connecticut,CT,3,11,Ned Lamont (D-CT),"Jan. 6, 2021",https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/News/Speeches/Governor-Lamont-2021-State-of-the-State-Address,"Racism is another virus which knows no borders. Following the tragic deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, our nation and our state found itself at a historical moment of reckoning—forced to finally confront the hard truths of racial inequality and injustice—but protests are only meaningful if they are a call to action... Unlike the violence which jarred protests in other states, our protests highlighted the best in Connecticut values—with black and white, suburbs and cities, police and protesters locking arms in a common cause.",,,,,,,,,X,,,,,
Delaware,DE,4,9,John Carney (D-DE),"Jan. 26, 2021",https://governor.delaware.gov/state-of-the-state/,"This year laid bare the pain that our brothers and sisters of color suffer across our state and nation. It took away any false sense of comfort we may have allowed ourselves to feel that everyone has equal access to the American Dream. We have much work to do as a state and as a nation. First to heal. But to go beyond healing. To make fundamental changes to a system that for too long has denied the promise of equality and justice for all. This requires a comprehensive approach. To the relationship between law enforcement and communities of color. But also to economic empowerment, education, and issues of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.",,,,,,,,,X,,,,,
Florida,FL,8,8,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Georgia,GA,7,8,Brian Kemp (R-GA),"Jan. 14, 2021",https://www.wsbtv.com/news/politics/read-full-gov-brian-kemps-state-state-address/EBS375DJ7RGU5LCZ5WYCJXK3NM/,"Together, we passed meaningful hate crimes legislation that reaffirmed Georgia’s commitment to be a welcoming state that values the life of each and every one of its citizens. ",,,,,,,,,,,,X,,
Hawaii,HI,8,0,David Ige (D-HI),"Jan. 25, 2021",https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/office-of-the-governor-governor-david-iges-2021-state-of-the-state-address/,No mention of CJ issues,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Idaho,ID,3,2,Brad Little (R-ID),"Jan. 11, 2021",https://gov.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/74/2021/01/2021-sos.pdf,"Another way we make Idaho safe is through a low crime rate. Our safety is maintained when those returning home from a period of incarceration can become productive citizens. Thanks to investments we made in our correctional system last year, Idaho is safer because fewer Idaho inmates are violating parole. My plan keeps us on a path to save taxpayer resources by making strategic investments in overdue infrastructure needs in our criminal justice system so we can break the expensive revolving door of repeat offenders.",,,,,,,,,,X,,,,
Illinois,IL,3,6,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Indiana,IN,3,7,Eric Holcomb (R-IN),"Jan. 19, 2021",https://www.in.gov/gov/governor-holcomb/newsroom/2021-state-of-the-state-address/,"We’ll get our state police officers outfitted with body cameras. We’ll get our diversity data dashboard up and running, as well as completing and sharing the outside review of our state’s law enforcement academy and agencies.",,,,,X,,,,,,,,,
Iowa,IA,3,5,Kim Reynolds (R-IA),"Jan. 12, 2021",https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/gov-reynolds-delivers-2021-condition-of-the-state,"With a bipartisan effort [we] passed the More Perfect Union Act to improve police work in Iowa. I’m proud of that legislation, and we’re continuing to make criminal justice reform a priority. To that end, I’ll be introducing a bill that protects law enforcement and continues our march toward racial justice. The bill will make clear that if you riot or attack our men and women in uniform, you will be punished. We won’t stand for it. The bill will also ban racial profiling and other forms of disparate treatment. Because no actions should ever be taken based upon the color of someone’s skin. ",,,,,X,,,,X,,,,,
Kansas,KS,5,5,Laura Kelly (D-KS),"Jan. 12, 2021",https://governor.kansas.gov/governor-laura-kelly-delivers-the-2021-state-of-the-state-address/,No mention of CJ issues,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Kentucky,KY,4,6,Andy Beshear (D-KY),"Jan. 7, 2021",https://governor.ky.gov/attachments/20210107_SOTC-Budget-Address.pdf,We are improving compensation for local and state law enforcement and firefighters who are always on the front lines with a $600 stipend increase from the Law Enforcement and Firefighters Foundation Program funds.,,,,,X,,,,,,,,,
Louisiana,LA,6,5,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Maine,ME,0,11,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Maryland,MD,4,8,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Massachusetts,MA,2,10,Charlie Baker (R-MA),"Jan. 26, 2021",https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-baker-delivers-2021-state-of-the-commonwealth-address,"With an eye toward the future, we worked with our colleagues in the Legislature to enact legislation on transportation, economic development, housing, health care and police reform ... The horrific murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis brought the issue of systemic racism to the forefront of our national dialogue. And it forced important conversations here in the Commonwealth. Thankfully, we did more than just have a conversation. We acted and passed one of the most comprehensive police reform laws in the country. The new law bans chokeholds, limits no-knock warrants, and creates a new independent state entity with the power to establish policing standards, certify law enforcement officers, investigate allegations of misconduct, and suspend or revoke certification.",,,,,X,,,,X,,,,,
Michigan,MI,2,7,Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI),"Jan. 27, 2021",https://www.michigan.gov/documents/whitmer/Governor_Whitmer_2021_State_of_the_State_Remarks_as_Prepared_for_Delivery_714535_7.pdf,[We worked together on] bipartisan Clean Slate Legislation making our criminal justice system more fair and expanding opportunities for Michiganders who have served time. I want to thank the bipartisan group of legislators who helped get this done. And the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus for all of the work they have done on criminal justice reform.,,,,,,,,,,X,,,,
Minnesota,MN,2,4,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Mississippi,MS,6,6,Tate Reeves (R-MS),"Jan. 27, 2021",https://mississippitoday.org/2021/01/26/gov-tate-reeves-full-2021-state-of-the-state-address/,No mention of CJ issues,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Missouri,MO,4,5,Michael Parson (R-MO),"Jan. 27, 2021",https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/MOGOV/2021/01/27/file_attachments/1673932/2021%20SOTS%20Address%20-%20EMBARGOED%20UNTIL%20SPEECH%20BEGINS.pdf,"In June, I challenged the POST Commission to take a leading role in advancing the training Missouri provides officers and help improve relationships with the public. The Commission followed through on this challenge, voting in October to require annual training in de-escalation and bias recognition for all Missouri law enforcement officers. We believe this training will lead to better interactions between law enforcement and the communities we serve. In addition to these changes, we recently granted Lincoln University a basic training license to establish the nation’s first law enforcement training academy at a Historically Black College and University. At a time when law enforcement agencies are struggling to recruit officers, especially minority officers, this new training academy is a major step in the right direction.",,,,,X,,,,X,,,X,,
Montana,MT,2,2,Greg Gianforte (R-MT),"Jan. 28, 2021",https://news.mt.gov/governor-gianforte-the-state-of-our-state-is-resilient,"But our state faces a grave threat to our safety: drug use.… There are devastating consequences to this crisis. Our treatment facilities are filling up, some unable to take new patients. Our corrections institutions are filling with people who, losing a battle against addiction, resort to increasingly violent crimes….That’s why my budget devotes marijuana tax revenue and part of the tobacco tax settlement to the HEART Fund, or the Healing and Ending Addiction through Recovery and Treatment Fund. The HEART Fund will provide for a full continuum of substance abuse prevention and treatment programs for communities. That full continuum of programs is critical. Under our current system, there are gaps in coverage that reduce effectiveness. In some communities, there is no coordinated prevention program. In some communities, there are gaps in meth treatment. In some communities, there is a lack of local recovery support for someone leaving treatment who wants to stay clean, sober, and healthy. We must close those glaring gaps, and the HEART Fund will do that. With $7 million in new funds and a federal match, our budget makes an historic investment. An additional $23.5 million per year will provide for substance abuse prevention and treatment programs for communities.",,,,,,,,,,,,,,X
Nebraska,NE,4,4,Pete Ricketts (R-NE),"Jan. 14, 2021",https://governor.nebraska.gov/press/gov-ricketts-state-state-address-1,"This budget also helps us take important steps to protect public safety.  Nebraska’s corrections system has been underbuilt for 40 years, and our infrastructure is aging. Working together, we’ve been able to make significant strides over the last six years, investing in sentencing reform, rehabilitation, and the physical plant of our system.  But more must be done to modernize and rightsize our prisons…. To help protect public safety and to replace the State Penitentiary, I am proposing that we build a new, modern correctional facility.  This facility will require an initial investment of $115 million in this budget for a total of $230 million by the time it is completed and operational in 2025.",,,,,,,X,,,,,,,
Nevada,NV,4,2,Steve Sisolak (D-NV),"Jan. 19, 2021",https://gov.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/govnewnvgov/Content/News/Press/2021_docs/NV_StateOfTheState2021.pdf,No mention of CJ issues,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
New Hampshire,NH,1,11,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
New Jersey,NJ,3,10,Phil Murphy (D-NJ),"Jan. 12, 2021",https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562021/approved/20210112a.shtml,"And a stronger New Jersey is one that ensures and protects justice for all…. There is no more important step than reforming the way our communities and law enforcement work together. That is why we are implementing the first broad-scale reforms to our state’s use-of-force policy in a generation. We’re making our justice system more transparent and fair not just for our sake, but to make New Jersey a national model for positive transformation in policing and ending racial inequities. I also remain committed to eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug and property crimes—these reforms are long-overdue.",,,,,,,,,X,,,,,
New Mexico,NM,6,3,Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM),"Jan. 26, 2021",https://nmpoliticalreport.com/2021/01/26/watch-gov-michelle-lujan-grishams-2021-state-of-the-state-address/,"The pandemic has underscored that our behavioral health system—undone by the vandalism of the prior state administration—demands robust reform. CYFD this year created the nation’s first text-only abuse and neglect hotline for New Mexico children, providing them an outlet that research has shown they may be more comfortable using. With more resources, we are restoring humanity to these services—and expanding them. My budget calls for a 800% increase in funding for suicide prevention services and programs, for both youth and adults. Mental health care is health care, and New Mexico must and will meet those needs, no matter the circumstances.",X,,,,,,,,,,,,,
New York,NY,2,9,Andrew Cuomo (D-NY),"Jan. 11, 2021",https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/video-audio-photos-rush-transcript-governor-cuomo-outlines-2021-agenda-reimagine-rebuild-renew,"Public safety, like so many other functions, must adapt to the times. There are many new questions to answer. Does every 911 call require an armed police officer to respond? What role should mental health and domestic violence professionals play in public safety? What is the transparency and disciplinary policy? What is the use of force policy? But some elements are absolute. Mutual respect is absolute. Individual rights are absolute. Rejecting brutality is absolute. Allowing police to do their job and do it safely is absolute. But for most issues there is no top-down solution, one-size-fits-all approach. We have 500 communities with police departments in New York, and each one must develop an approach that works for them. Now, I have said that each community must redesign public safety in a collaborative process, include all stakeholders, all opinions, all voices. Have the conversation. And then they must pass a law instituting a new public safety function and they must do it by April in order to receive state funding. This is an imperative for the State, and every community within the State.",,,,,X,,,,X,,,,,
North Carolina,NC,5,9,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
North Dakota,ND,2,3,Doug Burgum (R-ND),"Jan. 5, 2021",https://www.governor.nd.gov/news/burgum-calls-bold-action-build-strong-future-north-dakota-2021-state-state-address,"And we need to keep investing in peer support services and care coordinators to cultivate success stories such as Solid Comfort, a Fargo-based manufacturer of hotel furniture. The company's program, Solid Start initiative, focuses on second-chance hiring, onsite peer support and other training and development programs to empower their employees, 75% of whom are either in recovery or re-entering from the criminal justice systems. ",X,,,,,,,,,X,,,,
Ohio,OH,3,8,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Oklahoma,OK,6,4,Kevin Stitt (R-OK),"Feb. 1, 2021",https://www.governor.ok.gov/articles/press_releases/governor-stitt-delivers-2021-state-of-the-state-ad,"The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma questions the sovereignty of the state as we’ve known it since 1907. The Court overturned the conviction of a child rapist on the grounds that the Creek Nation’s reservation was never disestablished for criminal jurisdiction. State courts no longer have the authority to prosecute crimes committed by or against Oklahomans who are also tribal members. Hundreds of criminal cases are being dismissed. What is the state of Oklahoma’s ability to enforce the laws? … I’ve invited the leaders of Oklahoma’s sovereign tribes to join together and work with the State of Oklahoma. Together, we must create the certainty, fairness and the unity we’ve enjoyed since 1907. Where we go from here will define the state’s future.",,,,,X,,,,,,,X,,
Oregon,OR,4,1,Kate Brown (D-OR),"Jan. 21, 2021",https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ng5ndPup99JALP5QWZQHrYp7M1z-Dejo/view,"Racism and racial disparities impact every single part of our culture and our economy…. That’s why our state budget and policies must be built on a foundation of racial equity and inclusion. I convened the Racial Justice Council last year to guide that work. We confronted some of the most important issues that Oregonians face with the recognition that much of our lives are inextricably tied up in our state’s dark history of racism…. Our state’s—and our nation’s—long history of racist policies won’t be deconstructed in one budget cycle. Every step matters, so across my budget, I’ve found ways to make over $280 million in investments prioritized by the Racial Justice Council. This budget begins the process of recognizing and undoing systemic racism in Oregon.",,,,,,,,,X,,,,,
Pennsylvania,PA,3,9,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Rhode Island,RI ,2,11,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
South Carolina,SC,6,8,Henry McMaster (R-SC),"Jan. 13, 2021",https://governor.sc.gov/news/2021-01/governor-henry-mcmasters-2021-state-state-address,"This budget dedicates over $13 million in new dollars to law enforcement, public safety and first response agencies for recruitment and retention. This includes pay raises for troopers, state law enforcement division agents, wildlife officers, probation agents and corrections officers.  It also eliminates the income cap for our police officer retirement system, so that retired law enforcement officers can return to duty.  And we are providing funds for valuable post-traumatic stress disorder treatment for officers, firefighters and their families.",,,,,X,,,,,,,,,
South Dakota,SD,3,4,Kristi Noem (R-SD),"Jan. 12, 2021",https://news.sd.gov/newsitem.aspx?id=27616,"Lastly on healthcare, I want to provide an update on the state’s work to curtail substance abuse. We know that drug and alcohol abuse can destroy a family. And even though this kind of challenge can happen anywhere, there are key problems that must be addressed in our tribal communities. Earlier this year, the third annual state tribal meth summit was held virtually in partnership with the Departments of Tribal Relations and Social Services. These summits are a bedrock in bringing state and tribal healthcare providers and leaders together. The state stands ready to work with our tribes and all South Dakota communities to combat substance abuse. ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,X
Tennessee,TN,5,7,Bill Lee (R-TN),"Feb. 8, 2021",,[M]y budget includes 4.7 million dollars for additional day reporting centers and evidenced-based programming for community supervision. This approach ensures that re-entry to society is done in the most safe and effective way possible for those who were formerly incarcerated.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Texas,TX,7,4,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Utah,UT,5,4,Spencer Cox (R-UT),"Jan. 21, 2021",https://governor.utah.gov/2021/01/20/watch-live-gov-spencer-cox-gives-his-first-state-of-the-state-address/,"A high-quality education can change everything. It’s the key to unlocking intergenerational poverty. It’s the key to disrupting the criminal justice pipeline. It’s the key to unlocking the American Dream. And it’s the right thing to do ... Over the past year we have had some critical conversations around race and justice. And if I can be so bold, putting up a sign or joining a rally isn’t enough. The best way we can bring to life the American promise—of liberty and justice for all—is to make sure that every single child, brown or Black, rural or urban has the same opportunity as every other child.",,,,,,,,,X,,,,,
Vermont,VT,1,10,Phil Scott (R-VT),"Jan. 7, 2021",https://governor.vermont.gov/press-release/governor-phil-scott-delivers-third-inaugural-address,"In addition, this year I’ll propose more improvements to our mental health system and renew our focus on strengthening drug education, prevention and treatment programs.",X,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Virginia,VA,5,8,Ralph Northam (D-VA),"Jan. 13, 2021",https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/all-releases/2021/january/headline-891383-en.html,"It’s also time to acknowledge ways that our criminal justice system treats different people unfairly. Marijuana is a great example. We know that while White people and Black people use marijuana at similar rates, Black people are three and a half times more likely to be charged with a crime for it. And they’re almost four times as likely to be convicted…. By legalizing and taxing it [marijuana], we can use the revenue to help communities most disproportionately impacted by the inequities in our laws. For example, just half of the potential annual revenue could pay for two years of quality Pre-K to every one of Virginia's most vulnerable three- and four-year-olds—children who deserve the best start in life. Rooting out inequities includes expunging the records of people who were convicted of this and certain other crimes in the past. It’s time to act, during this session, to have the robust debate about how to best conduct the process of expunging people’s records. This will make our system more just and equal, and it needs action this session.",,,,,,,,,X,X,,,,
Washington,WA,2,1,Jay Inslee (D-WA),"Jan. 12, 2021",https://medium.com/wagovernor/inslee-delivers-historic-third-inaugural-address-b4434750978e,"We all share a thirst for more justice. The police-citizen violence we saw in 2020 alone has traumatized the nation. And we need not only conversations but action—action on truths that have been overlooked for far too long…. We will incorporate equity into how our laws are applied and how our institutions are run, including independent investigations and prosecutions. We owe it to countless Washingtonians who live with the realities of racial injustice every day, and who are less free because of it…. We have work ahead of us in the next four years to undo the racial inequities that remain in our economy, in our democracy and in our system of law and justice.",,,,,,,,,X,,,,,
West Virginia,WV,4,7,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Wisconsin,WI,2,5,Tony Evers (D-WI),"Jan. 12, 2021",https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIGOV/bulletins/2b549df,"And even though my efforts to expand healthcare were rejected by Republicans in the Legislature, we made critical investments in improving mental health treatment, supporting our direct care workforce, and increasing funding for our rural healthcare providers.",X,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Wyoming,WY ,3,3,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Photo credits: Kyle Glenn via Unsplash and Iowa PBS