DGA Chair Markell on State of the Union

Better jobs, stronger schools, cost-effective government are most important priorities

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- DGA Chair Gov. Jack Markell of Delaware issued the following statement in support of the President's State of the Union address tonight:

"The President spoke directly to Americans families tonight about the issues that matter most in their daily lives. Better jobs, access to a great education and a more cost-effective government are the priorities we must have and the promises we must keep.

Democratic governors will work with the President to create and save jobs and hope others will not work to derail his agenda simply to score political points. Our states' citizens are clamoring for leaders who will come together around the best solutions -- not partisan bickering.

We will tap into the historic optimism and boundless talent that have always solved our nation's problems and oppose appeals to fear and division meant to stop our economic progress. We will build a strong foundation to move our economy forward, and reject efforts to plot a course back to the failed policies that caused this long recession.

As Governors who live and work outside the D.C. Beltway, we meet families every day who are coping with lost jobs or rising health care costs.  We hear from parents who want to make sure their children are ready to compete with and win against students anywhere in the world. We fight each day to make our governments more efficient, effective, responsive and responsible. The President has clearly heard them as well.

In trying times like these, Americans rise to meet our challenges together. The President called on all of us to respond as one, and we will. We look forward to working with the President to lay the new foundation for prosperity."

SOURCE Democratic Governors Association