This is what puts food on the table, provides security and shelter, and keeps the family together. Let's also look at other important messages working parents have for their children. By their example, they are role models for a child's concept of a promising future. A changing and productive society gives hope and oppportunity - the stuff dreams are made of. At the signing of the national welfare reform bill, perhaps the most telling moment was the story of a young child whose parents had been long-term welfare recipients but were now working.
Nothing can surpass that kid's pride and self-esteem.
And of course, a growing economy provides the resources necessary for our priority of quality education. The resources Alaskans are willing to commit to this universal priority are only useful if we have the discipline and the commitment to assume the responsibility for excellence. Productive working families, providing quality education, can only take place in safe, healthy communities. We know by experience the alternative means a horrendous cost, both in destroyed lives and hard dollars. The final priority is budget discipline to live within our means and to close the budget gap.