Governor’s Statement on President Obama’s 2015 State of the Union Address

Wilmington, DE – Governor Markell, who attended tonight’s State of the Union address, issued the following statement in reaction to President Obama’s remarks:

“As the President made clear again tonight, our country’s future prosperity depends on a strong middle class and a fair opportunity for all those striving for the middle class. To achieve those goals requires that we give our people the skills they need to thrive in today’s economy and that we build a talented workforce to spur growth of key industries.
 
“I’m particularly pleased by the President’s emphasis on access to our community colleges and I’m proud Delaware has shown great leadership in this area for many years by offering our high school graduates free tuition for two years of higher education through our SEED and INSPIRE scholarship. Institutions like Delaware Tech, and the partnerships they build with our businesses, offer outstanding training and retraining for the jobs of our present and future. The President’s agenda, which importantly includes support for students as well as workers transitioning to new careers, would strengthen these efforts.
 
“We can only build an economy that works for everyone if we have the foundation of a strong infrastructure, so it’s vital that the President also continues to reiterate his call for investments in our transportation system to create jobs today, while generating economic development for years to come.
 
“These are not Democratic or Republican issues. Outside of Washington, we know these priorities will mean more economic opportunity and a better quality of life for Delawareans and all Americans. It is incumbent upon Democrats and Republicans to overcome Washington politics and find common ground to act on these issues.”
 
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Governor Markell: President’s Plan Grows Economy, Strengthens Workforce

President Obama outlined his vision for creating jobs and growing the middle class in a State of the Union Address that focused on expanding economic opportunity and improving education, Governor Markell said shortly after the speech.

“The President’s focus on making our country a magnet for job creation and ensuring Americans are equipped with the skills they need to do those jobs shows his commitment to the continued growth and prosperity of this nation,” Governor Markell said.

Many of the proposals outlined during the President’s remarks mirror those shared by the Governor during his State of the State address last month, including efforts to strengthen our schools, invest in high quality pre-school education, improve energy efficiency, and reduce gun violence.

“The world we now live in is more global, more productive, more competitive. It is a new world of unprecedented opportunities to create new partnerships, to sell to new customers, to innovate and collaborate in ways previously unimaginable. The President recognizes that the best way we can compete in an ever-evolving, global economy is by making smart investments in our workforce and creating opportunities to expand the number of available jobs in our country.”

The topic of education, from early education to college, was a significant component of the President’s remarks, and one that Governor Markell believes is key to future economic growth.

“The President understands that education has never been more important when it comes to finding a job and expanding opportunities for every American, and that’s why in Delaware we are holding our students to higher academic standards and surrounding them with  quality educators who inspire, motivate and challenge them,” Governor Markell said. “Delaware has been leading in an effort that the President committed to tonight by working to provide more children access to quality-rated early education programs. I look forward to seeing the President’s early childhood proposal and how it can build on the great start we have on giving our kids a good start in life.”

 

 


Markell: President’s Proper Focus on Jobs and the Economy

Wilmington, DE – President Obama offered several compelling proposals in a State of the Union address that properly focused on jobs and the economy, Governor Jack Markell said shortly after the speech.

“The President made clear that our nation’s most compelling need is to keep making progress on jobs and he offered a clear path forward,” Markell said.

Last week, Markell delivered a State of the State that focused on expanding economic opportunity, improving schools and governing responsibly at the state level. He made clear that a renewed federal commitment to the economy is critical to states.

“We can – and do – focus every day on getting people back to work, but the economic health of our states, our cities and our small towns depend a good deal on the direction of the national economy. The President made clear that while there’s been some real signs of progress, we can’t afford to stop fighting.”

Markell echoed the President’s hope that Washington could find a way to work together to make progress.

“There was a clear difference between the positive plans laid out by the President to help our nation’s middle class succeed and the anger, negativity, and attacks offered during his opponents’ debate the night before,” Markell said. “The stakes are too high to let divisions get in the way of progress.”