Governors across the nation are reflecting on their accomplishments of the year as 2024 comes to an end.
On Tuesday, various state leaders and officials highlighted major milestones and developments this past year and predicted another successful year ahead.
Here’s a look at five states that provided a detailed reflection of 2024:
New York
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul released a video touting specific accomplishments of 2024.
According to the governor, New York created the first-ever paid prenatal leave plan for employees, which helped more than 136,00 pregnant women.
Hochul also said the Empire State gave its residents a raise with a statewide minimum wage increase.
“This year, we dedicated our efforts to putting more money in your pockets and building an Empire State where everyone has an opportunity to succeed,” Hochul stated.
She also signed “groundbreaking” legislation to protect children while they are online, launched a “massive crackdown” on organized retail theft, and passed the “biggest housing deal in three generations” to boost supply and build more affordable homes, the governor said.
Texas
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott touted his state’s booming manufacturing industry in 2024. The Lone Star State’s “Made in Texas” remained a “powerful global brand,” according to Abbott.
The governor highlighted the major investments Texas has made in the industry. This includes the groundbreaking of Texas A&M University’s South Texas Workforce Development Project advanced manufacturing training facility.
He also touted the expansion of Bell’s Manufacturing Technology Center in Fort Worth, the first project to be qualified under the new Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation (JETI) program.
“Texas is home to a booming manufacturing sector, thanks to increased investments in our career and technical skills training programs and the men and women of this vital industry working to forge a stronger Texas,” Abbott said in a statement. “Working together, our manufacturing industry will continue to grow and help support Texas communities, creating good-paying jobs for hardworking Texans in every corner of the state.”
California
California Gov. Gavin Newsom released a 2024 recap video on X and reflected on some major highlights for the Golden State. The state balanced the budget for this fiscal year and the next one, according to Newsom.
California also reached record-breaking tourism in 2024. The state, which is among the world’s largest economies, hit $150.4 billion in visitor spending this past year, marking an all-time high.
The governor also said that his state continued to set the standard for clean transportation in the country. Newsom said the state continues to invest in electric vehicles across the state, noting that California-based EV manufacturing company Rivian continued to create competition for Tesla this past year.
“California has led the nation for years and years, but now we’re dominating with two million electric vehicles sold,” Newsom stated.
In 2024, California also won its bid to host the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Florida
In 2024, the Sunshine State remained a top destination for business and international partnerships, according to officials.
The Division of Elections oversaw three statewide elections this past year. The state proved that it continues to be a leader in conducting accurate, fair, and efficient elections, state leaders said.
Officials also said that Florida continues to uphold a favorable business climate in 2024. More than 628,000 new businesses were formed or qualified to transact business in the state, according to the latest data by Florida’s Department of State.
Secretary of State Cord Byrd credited Gov. Ron Desantis’s leadership for Florida’s accomplishments this past year.
“Throughout the past year, Governor DeSantis has once again proven that Florida leads the nation in election integrity and elections administration, the best place for doing business through his innovative policies that include low taxes and low regulations,” Byrd said in a statement. “Further, through the Governor’s leadership, the Florida Department of State continues to move Florida into the future while protecting and promoting Florida’s rich historical and cultural past.”
North Carolina
Gov. Roy Cooper detailed a list of accomplishments this year, which marked his final year in office.
The governor traveled across the state and celebrated public schools, announced thousands of new jobs and strengthened reentry services, according to a statement from his office.
“Cooper has delivered on his promise of a North Carolina where people are better educated, healthier and have more money in their pockets,” his office said.
In 2024, Cooper secured historic federal funding for 114 electric school buses across the state and brought more than 2,400 jobs to Greensboro with the grand opening of the Boom Supersonic Overture Superfactory.
North Carolina is proud to have upheld its reputation in 2024 as “the most military-friendly state in the country,” according to the governor’s office.
The state is still recovering from widespread catastrophic damage from Hurricane Helene, which hit the area in late September 2024. However, it was recently notified that FEMA has extended the deadline to apply for Hurricane Helene assistance in the state to Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, providing some relief to North Carolinians in need of the support.