TRENTON — New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman gave what is likely to be her final State of the State speech yesterday in the Trenton War Memorial. With much of the state legislature present, Whitman — President-elect George W. Bush's choice to head the Environmental Protection Agency — used the 30-minute speech mainly to reflect on the projects and initiatives completed under her administration.
Whitman, the first female chief executive of New Jersey, was introduced by her husband, John, and children, Kate and Taylor.
Preceding her address was a video of clips showing the governor taking part in various community and environmental activism events. The video foreshadowed her speech, which Whitman used to tick off her accomplishments in community building and environmental protection.
Appearing confident she will win U.S. Senate confirmation and become a member of the president-elect's cabinet, Whitman pointed to her successes as governor, emphasizing the state's current economic boom and revitalized health care system.
She said she leaves New Jersey with a more robust economy and an unemployment rate less than or equal to the national average. Whitman also cited cleaner water and air and stronger schools with better teachers as products of her administration.
And Whitman used one of her political catch-phrases — "Policy is personal" — to say she believes New Jersey has become a more affordable state to live in during her seven years as governor, largely because of her 39 separate tax cuts.
She also pointed to the success of her universal health care programs for both children and adults — Kid Care and Family Care.
With the governor courting votes for her appointment to head the EPA, her speech predictably focused on her work to preserve the environment.
Whitman, who grew up on a farm, said she believes, "Few policies are more personal than taking care of our open spaces." She said the state is well on its way to fulfilling its commitment to set aside 1 million acres of open space by 2010.
Then, in one of few proposals outlined in her speech for the gubernatorial administration that will follow her, she suggested that funds be set aside for the creation of a "world-class park system" for the state of New Jersey.
Whitman also addressed the issue of higher education in New Jersey. She thanked the legislature for helping challenge universities in the state to secure more research funding. She encouraged a continuing emphasis on quality education.
"Let's give New Jersey colleges the money they need to prepare students for good, high-paying jobs of the new economy," she said.
The governor also introduced her idea for yearly $10,000 scholarships for students "who have performed heroic deeds." She gave the first such scholarship to Seton Hall student Dana Christmas — who was badly burned while rescuing classmates during a fatal dormitory fire.
With 96 percent of New Jersey citizens rating their quality of life as either good or excellent, the governor congratulated herself and her staff.
"We've done great things together," she said, "because we have put the people's needs first."
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