The Governors Speak: 2004 State-of-the-State Addresses

March 8, 2004 The Governors Speak: 2004 State-of-the-State Addresses Compared to 2003, the majority of governors in their state-of-the-state addresses for 2004 were much more upbeat about current economic conditions and the state budgetary outlook. Last year, about 86% of governors described huge budget gaps that loomed, outlined dire service cutbacks that were needed, or otherwise referred to a severe budget crisis that their states were experiencing. In 2004, on the other hand, the vast majority of governors described a more optimistic economic climate, including modest job growth that had occurred over the past . . .