“A state of the state address is always an opportunity for the governor to set the agenda for state government. And in an election year, you just can't help but regard it as an agenda not only for the next 11 months, but also as setting themes in an election.”
“It was a way to destroy political machines -- if voters had a direct say on who was dog catcher and coroner, along with county boards. There was more opportunity for candidates who weren't part of a political machine.”
