Hull was recognizing members of the state for their contributions during1999. Our share of the high-tech economy could be much greater. Instead of using the state's general fund, Hull's plan relies on the federal government cutting the unemployment insurance tax on employers by 0.2 percent. The state would then raise its unemployment insurance tax by 0.1 percent - essentially splitting the tax cut between its training programs and contributing Arizona businesses. Hull's press secretary, Francie Noyes, said the money is not earmarked for training people for entry level jobs, but it is to be used for re-training people to use new technology.
Real incomes are on the rise, while inflation and unemployment are at historic lows.
Hull used her speech to voice support for Shannon's Law, a previously failed bill to ban random gunfire, which was named after the victim of a stray bullet. Shannon Smith's parents were invited to the speech as guests of the governor. The Republican governor's relationship with the Republican-controlled legislature, which grew tense because of Hull's record of 21 vetoes last session, became even more strained after she called the legislature into an unproductive special session in December. Daniels said her priorities are to put a plan for spending the tobacco settlement on the ballot and to pass a bill with a funding formula for Students First, a program to build and repair schools. She said she is against reopening the budget.