RALEIGH --- Governor Pat McCrory presented reforms and policies in his 2015 State of the State address, the second of his first term. The nearly one hour and 15 minute speech asked the General Assembly for some major long term financing projects and setting a new direction on economic development.

Among the key points was a goal to get starting teacher salaries up to $35,000 and two bond issues – one for transportation and another for renovating aging state buildings. The total of the two would be $2.6 billion.

“Our economy is improving and our state is growing stronger and stronger with each week that passes,” said Governor McCrory. “We have had great success over the past two years, but there is still a lot of work to be done and that’s exactly what we will do.”

Governor McCrory will address priorities in several areas, including: Jobs and the Economy, Education, Transportation, Health and Public Safety, Increase Efficiency and Improve Operations and Veterans and Military.

Among the other highlights, the Governor proposed creating a new cabinet level Military and Veterans affairs post and proposed moving the State Zoo and Aquariums from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to the Department of Cultural Resources.