Despite Arizona's remarkable growth in recent years, we have met the current federal health standards for ozone pollution and the Environmental Protection Agency recently approved our dust control plan.

Arizona faces many challenges ahead. None is more important or more pressing than passing a new state budget.

During the last regular session and the most recent special session, measures that I see as little more than Band-Aids were applied to three health programs in the state.

Where else but in America could a schoolteacher from Kansas City end up the governor of her adopted state?

Today, Arizona's sons and daughters, mothers and fathers are proudly serving their country.

The attack and our response show just how vital Arizona's military bases are to the defense of our country. We need to do everything we can to protect them.

Right after the tragedy, President Bush asked Americans to get on with their lives and we did.