Brown covers the basics in State of the State

Not much for flourishes, the governor spoke about the need to raise taxes and reduce the budget. But he also put in a strong word for the controversial high-speed rail plan and renewable energy program. Overall, he said that California "is on the mend," noting that "rumors of its demise are greatly exaggerated." The speech lasted all of 20 minutes, which is you'd expect from the minimalist Brown (Clinton he ain't). From the text:

Putting our fiscal house in order is good stewardship and helps us regain the trust of the people. It also builds confidence in California as a place to invest and realize one's dreams. Contrary to those critics who fantasize that California is a failed state, I see unspent potential and incredible opportunity. Every decade since the 60's, dystopian journalists write stories on the impending decline of our economy, our culture and our politics. Yes, it is fair to say that California is turbulent, less predictable and, well, different. Yet, look at the facts.

After the mortgage bubble burst in 2007, California lost a million jobs, much of it driven by the overleveraged construction industry and its financial partners in the under-regulated mortgage industry. The result is a recovery far slower than after the previous six national recessions. But now we are coming back. In 2011, California personal income grew by almost $100 billion and 230,000 jobs were created--a rate much higher than the nation as a whole.

Here's what he said about high-speed rail:

If you believe that California will continue to grow, as I do, and that millions more people will be living in our state, this is a wise investment. Building new runways and expanding our airports and highways is the only alternative. That is not cheaper and will face even more political opposition. Those who believe that California is in decline will naturally shrink back from such a strenuous undertaking. I understand that feeling but I don't share it, because I know this state and the spirit of the people who choose to live here. California is still the Gold Mountain that Chinese immigrants in 1848 came across the Pacific to find. The wealth is different, derived as it is, not from mining the Sierras but from the creative imagination of those who invent and build and generate the ideas that drive our economy forward.

As expected, Republicans took aim at the speech - even before Brown delivered it. Assembly Republican leader Connie Conway criticized it in a video mistakenly posted online Tuesday. More reaction coming up.