Legislation pass spending legislation. Thiss [cheers and applause] welcome, governor carny. If everyone, please be seated. Madam speaker, im not sure whether thats because theyre glad to see me go and good rid dance or theyre happy for the riddance or theyre happy for the service weve had together. Lieutenant governor, madam speaker, mr. President pro tem, Senate Majority leader, members of the 15 2nd General Assembly, other elected officials who are here, members of my cabinet, distinguished members of the judiciary, invited guests and my fellow delawareans, thank you for inviting me to the chamber for my state of the state address. Sorry its a little bit late. Let me start by recognizing the historic nature of todays event. For the if first time ever, a female speaker of the house is presiding over the state of the tate address he today state of the state address here today. [cheers and applause] speaker longhurst and her majority team, majority whip Carrie Evelyn are harris and jfc chair kim williams, kim is where . Kim, stand up and be recognized. I look forward to working with all of you for the rest of this session. I also a want to take a moment to recognize two n justices on the delaware supreme court, justice abby la grow and justic [inaudible] please stand so we can recognize both ofou. [applause] we have a world class judiciary in delaware, and the justices bring a new generation of leadership to our court. Thank you for your commitment to public service. And a moment of personal privilege, if i may, id like to recognize my wife tracy sitting up here in front for all the hard work shes done on behalf of delaware children over the years. [cheers and applause] tracy has [applause] tracy has transformed the role of first lady. We like to call her the first spouse and made sure every delaware child has a first chance to succeed. Shes also stood by me throughout my 30 plus years in public service, and let me tell ya its not always been easy. Thank you, tracy, for your support. Prison [applause] before i go any further, id also like to recognize the army and Air National Guard. Colonel mike berry is unable to be with us today, but hes represented by Brigadier General james benson. Please stand up for all your army and Air National Guard [applause] we have command staff and other guardsmen and women until if bat colony as well. Its been in the as well. Its been a busy time for the guard, and i think about their service and sacrifice a lot. Over the past years, more than 1300 guardsmen and women have been deployed to more than 50 locations around the world. Last year we held a deployment if ceremony for more than 150 National Guardsmen and women from the 160th engineering company. They recently returned from the military operation in [inaudible] again, members of that unit who were deployed are with us today. Please j recognizing our citizensoldiers. Theyre the very best, and theyre up, again, in the balcony. [applause] its really hard to believe this, but this is my last state of the state address as your governor, and i suspect, ast the mixed feelings about the applause tata i was receiving [laughter] as i, as i came in. Seriously though, i think its a little reflection, if i may, on what weve accomplished working together and on our Unfinished Business. First and foremost, weve helped create [inaudible] order. Point of order. [inaudible] fight and defend our nation in congress [inaudible] genocide is. You cant [inaudible] point of order, madam speaker. [inaudible] we send you are our children away, it should be an [inaudible] not to participate in genocide. Thats all i stand for. Senators, spook if up ing. [inaudible] farewell. Proceed, governor. Thank you, madam speaker. First and foremost, weve helped create more than 30,000 new jobs since 2017. Thats for the first time in delaware history, weve provided funding dedicated for low income students and english learn arers in our Public Schools learners. Weve given our teachers a big pay raise. For three years running, weve implemented the largest n in state history. Finish that means good jobs building new schools, safer roads and bridges and cct delawareans to the internet up and down the state. And weve kept our fiscal house in order. We turned a 400 million budget deficit into a in 2017, into a 400 million in additional reserves today, and that means a lot. [applause] were supporting an economic resurgence in downtown wilmington. Weve provided paid leave for delaware families and raised the minimum wage to 15 an hour, and the labor market has blown right through that already. [applause] were building Housing Units so delaware families have a safe place to call home. Weve reduced crime, and our prison populatio is down nearly 24 . Weve passed sweeping Climate Change legislation committing to net zero emissions by 2050, and were keeping our communities safe is by banning assault weapons and launching targeted gun safety measures. Or these are issues that a matter toare families [inaudible] youre out of odder, please. Over 29,000 palestinians [inaudible] [background sounds] please, please [inaudible] please, we have the governor whos to giving state of the state. [inaudible] governor, please proceed. Thank you, madam speaker. These are issues tata matter to delaware families in each matter to future generations; good jobs, quality schools, safe and affordable communities, a cleaner environment and responsible management of taxpayer dollars. And this last year im focusing op leaving the state in a better place than i found it. We should make sure the next governor is in the best possible position to succeed, and we should balance the budge and make sure our investments are sustainable in the long run. And i want to thank everyone in ship on this. We dont always agree, for sure, but working9 together what with we do best in delaware. Because of our hard wor can cony today that the state of our state is strong and getting stronger every day. [applause] as many of you know, i spent a loot of a lot of time on the football field. In fact, one of my High School Teammates is here in the chamber today, dave. I spent a lot of time with him as a player and a coach, and i know it was a long time ago. Let the best teams leave it all on the field. And its in that spirit that i want to talk about some of our Unfinished Business and the work i believe we can still accomplish together this last year. Weve made big strides on financial management, and i want to recognize senator padilla and representative carson for their good work last yeaas well as senator walsh and representativ [inaudible] but despite our efforts, we did not pass legislation to permanently control operating spending at sustainable levels. And an earlier General Assembly rejected by proposed constitutionalmendment that would have done just that. Its really pretty simple. Delaware cant compete in the future if we dont have our budget in order. Right now our futuregen assembly or governor could lead us down a path of uncontrolled spending. We havent done that. That would lead to h so lets not go backwards. Instead lets build on the progress weve made working together. This year im asking you to send me legislation that would make our spending benchmark permanent. I wont be here next year, i know some of you are happy about that, but most of you will. Dont set yourselves up for failure. I hope we can find Common Ground on this very important priority for every delaware taxpayer. We also have the serious issue with Health Care Cost inflation. If this year between medicaid can and our insurance man for state employees and retirees plan were spending nearly 2 billion on health care alone. Let me say that again,p 2 billion. Thats billion with a b. And thats roughly 200 million more than our costs were last year. The state share of medicaid alone costs 1 billion. Those are jawdropping numbers. Its almost a third of our state budget, and its only going up. And taxpayers are footing the bill. If we dont g serious, Health Care Spending will crowd out all the other investments, investments that we all support; funding for our Public Schools, for Affordable Housing and childcare and raises for state employees and state retirees. Right now retires get their pay increases and theealth care. This is literally an issue we cannot afford to ignore. We should all Work Together to strengthen our health car mark and address Health Care Cost inflation. Senator townsend and speaker longhurst, i know you and many others in this room agree, and i look forward to working together on those issues. [applause]■ course, no issue ise important to our states future than the quality of delawares Public Schools. Ive a spent a lot of time the last seven years focused on strengthening our schools, especially for children who need our help the most. I know many of you have been leaders on this issue for a lot of years. Together, we created opportunity funding, a Program Additional funding for low income students and English Learners in our state. Our budget this year increases funding for this program to 63 million. I can assure you that its make a difference. Last fall i visited east millsborolementy and and spoke with a young student who had been struggling to read, working with a reading special u. S. Funded through opportunity funding. She was improving bounds. And that that reading coach is here somewhere with us today, there she is. Heather, please stand up [applause] over the past sev weve also built new schools across the state. Weve spent 1. 5 billion on School Construction alone. You already know, a school is much more than books brick withs and mortar. Its the pillar of a community, and nowhere with is that more true than on the east side of wilmington where with were building the first new school in the city in over a half c ms. [applause] the school will be named the maurice pritchard sr. Academy after the schools [applause] you support that. [laughter] after the Community Icon who i e privilege to know as a basketball coach, maurice pritchett. Im looking forward to the School Opening later this year. Students, teachers and neighbors on the east side will have a state of the art School Building they can take pride in. Join me in recognizing the pens of the Pritchett Family who are or the members of the Pritchett Family who are also with us today in the balcony, i believe. [applause] thank you for being with us. We also launched the wilmington learning collaborative to provide hyperfocus on s city. For the first time, districts serving the city are working together to address the needs of wilmington children. I also want senator lockman for her work in this area and her committee that she chairs and all the people that are involved with that. Y [applause] [inaudible] as a well. And finally, we significantly expanded, madam speaker, Mental Health services in omnur school. The need became even more pronounced during the covid19 pandemic. And i want to thank you, madam speaker, for your leadership on this earth. Effort. Working together, i look forward to expanding these services into the high schools this year. [applause] initiatives that we all can be proud of, but it simply isnt enough. Heres truth. Statewide less than 40 of children are are reading proficiently at third grade. Met me say that let me say that again. Heads than 40 of children are reading proif efficiently in third grade. And many schools fall short of that child went to a school with that kind of result. None of us would tolerate that. But too many children across our state are faced with this■w reality, and we need to fix it. Thats why my budget [applause] thats why my budget includes funding for a new team of literacy coaches. They will work with educators and district leaders to focus on the science of reading, an effective approach to teaching children how to read. Its one of the most important things that we can do, and i hope youll join me in supporting this high priority. My budget also includes a childhood education. I know this is a priority for many of you in this chamber today. Our priory is simple, create more seats for the children and families who need them the most. The research is clear, it showso quality Early Childhood education have better outcomes. That includes higher Graduation Rates and more f stability into adulthood. Just 15 years ago the state was investing next to nothing in childcare. My budget this year includes more than 135 million for childcare. Thats a big deal, and these are critical investments that will benefit our children as they grow up. [applause] before i leave the topic of educates, i want to thank secretary Mark Holliday for all his hard work. Mark, please stand. [applause] mark was a teacher, a principal and a superintendent before he took the job as cabinet secretary. And his leadership has been tremendous, study and strong. Over the past 19 secretary holliday chaired the Public Education compensation committee. The group studiedinger pay, and they presented a recommendation for paying our teachers what they deserve. Im determined to win the competition with the states around as. We want the best educators working right h the first state. Thats why my budget fully funds the first year of those building on the raise that you passed and i signed into law last year. If we stick the to the plan, we will raise teachers starting salaries to 60,000 over the next four years. Lets get it done together. [applause] i would like to take a moment our Lieutenant Governor long has been a real partner over these past seven years. Shes a nurse as you all know [laughter] and her efforts on the ground during covid19 were just tremendous. She just knows how to upper her sleeves and get things done. So is, Lieutenant Governor the Lieutenant Governor has also been a champion of science and technology and advancing s. T. E. M. Careers for young people in our state, particularly young girls. Last summer i signed senate bill 55 creating delawares rare disease advisory council. This new council will bring together the best and brightest to help support those living with rare diseases. The e. Sffort was by Lieutenant Governor long along with senator nicole and representative christa griffith9s. Please join me in recognizing the Lieutenant Governor and these leaders on this effort. [applause] id like to take another moment to recognize my wife tracy for all her good work as first spouse. [laughter] [applause] thats so typical of her to say, to cut it loose and say lets move on to something else. But truthfully, since 2017 trace a city has been focused on giving all delawares children a first anceo succeed. Working with the state librarian, shes helped expand Dolly Partons Imagination Library statewide in the middle of a pandemic. Thats saying something. [applause] now, more than half of the eligible children are signed up for free books every month. Again, theres nothing more important than helping our children lesh how to read, and this is an Important Program to do that. This free program will help us achieve that goal. In addition, last year tracy led a discussion on our traumainformed progress. And she hosted our first youth Mental Health summit that takes all of us working together to make sure that delaware children have a first chance to succeed from birth to adulthood. Please join me no, weveized. [cheers and applause] oh, or go ahead. [applause] let me tell you, i owe all i deserve i need all that goodwill that youre giving for me today. [laughter] of course, one of the best ways to expand opportunity is to keep our economy strong and growing. As the saying goes, a good job solves a l [inaudible] [inaudible] thank you, madam speaker. As the saying goes, a good job solves a lot of problems. Good jobs help families pay the bi home, save for college and retirement and sock away some money for vacation. Good jobs also increase our state s revenue and help us fund our priorities. On my first day in office, i signed an executive order to rethink our approach to economic development, and together we created the delaware prosperity partnership. And we have leaders of that the effort that are with us today. By every measure its been a success. Just in the last two years weve helped create more than 20,000 jobs. Thats a big deal and new budget continues our investment in job creation in the strategic fund, the Site Readiness Fund and the Graduation Lab Space fund and our infrastructure investment. Fund. We will not lose the for good jobs for good people. We also have our eye on the future of delawares economy. My budge again includes the federal Research Project nimble and sauber at the star campus at the university of delaware. Both projects will build on strn science and technology. They will track more high quality workers to delaware and spur unnovation and wiz Development Innovation and wiz adopt. You all know this, but our colleges and universities are more important than ever to the future of our economy. At delaware state university, dr. Allen and his team have opened a new Early Childhood innovationill chain the next weapon is ration of Early Childhood educators. They remain at the forefront of job training in our state. We still have more Jobs Available than we have people looking for work. Its an issue youve heard a we talk about before. Right now there are 3 Jobs Available but only 21,000 people looking for work. That requires an intense focus on job training and onhe skills demanded by delaware employers. Delaware tech is leading on that work. Join me in rni if their teams fr their hard work and dedication to the future of our state. [applause] were alsonding opportunities, e had some success. Last year delaware, pennsylvania and new jersey were selected by the federalovernment for a hydrogen hub. The program was funded by president bidens bipartisan infrastructure law. The u. S. Department of energy selected just seven proposals out of 79 applications across the country. And we were one of the seven. A the federal designation will bring 750 million to the region. Make no mistake, this is a generational opportunity to build a Clean Energy Industry right here in delaware and in this region. And to compete for Good Union Jobs of the future. Weo 50 million in federal funding to help expand the port of wilmington. For decades jobs at the port have been a gateway to the mile workers and their families. These are the kinds of jobs our state and country were built on. Were also increasing across the state. Last year we celebrated additional funding to redevelop the onceblighted Nylon Capital Shopping Center in seaford. Were building new Affordable Housing on the east side of wilmington, and is and our housing will be director, eugene young, and his team are leading that work. [applause] and just a few weeks ago wenoune the redevelopment of downtown dover. [applause] that will make senator pa dee a ya and representative bush very happy. [laughter] and it will also help us attract workers to the area and expand Economic Opportunity in our historic capital city. I know that work is important to senator padilla bush, lynn and many others, and i appreciate their leadership and your partnership. If we want to keep good jobs and workers in delaware, we need to make sure families feel safe in their community. I know fighting gun violence has behared priority. Over the past seven years, weve banned assault weapons, bump stocks and high capacity magazines. Weve passed red flag prevented straw purchases. This year well take another big step forward and pass the permit to purchase law. [applause] inside the administration we spent a lot of time on what we call Group Violence intervention is, or gvi. We started xvi in wilmington gvi, and have is expanded the program to dover. Heres the truth, its a very small number of people who are committing the vast majority of gun violence in these communities. Theyre part of groups that fight with one another. I, wery engaging with those individuals and the gangs and groups theyre part of. Were demanding that they put down their guns. And if they do, well offer job is training and other services. For those who choose the path of violence, they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and attorney general jennings has been doing just that. Thank you, madam attorney general. More than 300 people have participated in gvi since it started. Just in the last several months, we have started offering gvi services in laurel where we recently saw a spike in lethal shootings. Were a committed partner in efforts to gun violence ins sussex county. The Delaware State Police have been instrumental in our response, and we appreciate the support of representative dukes and short ason in those efforts. [applause] the future of our communities across our state depends on that partnership. As we look towards theur ignoref Climate Change. Delaware is one of the is the lowest lying state if the country. Coastal and back bay communities, and youll see for yourself. Its clear to were already feeling the effects of sea rise. Thats why were spending more than 30 million to harden our coastal infrastructure, projects like south bowers rad to make sure residents can get in and out of town. Thats pretty important. Leadershipto thank the in this area. [applause] last year many of you were instrumental in passing the most significant Climate Change legislation in our states history. House bill 99 set ambitious but achievable targets. We committed to cutting Greenhouse Gas emissions in half by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050. If this is critical for future generations, and i want to recognize senator hansen and representative the phillips for their horde work hard work and leadership on this issue. [applause] we have a General Assembly full of lead leaders who understand the threat of Climate Changend o talk alaska. Thank you for your leadership. The transition to clean energy wont be easy. At times it will be controversial, very controversial. In december we finalized regulation wills to reduce transportation emissions in our state, a big source of carbon and other air pollution. By 2032 the regulations require to delaware will be zero emission vehicles. That will help us reach our targets under house bill 999. And were following Industry Trends across the country, major automakers are already or committed to moving towards electric vehicles. Our efforts will also make sure delaware isnt left behind in that transition. The threat of Climate Change is fresh look at delawares role in offshore wind industry. In december we began negotiations with offshore wind developer u. S. Wind to bring significant benefits to our city as we take an active leadership role. Under terms of the agreement, u. S. Wind would bring wind energy into delaware. We expect it the bring more than 100 million of benefits to our state without raising rates. Those benefits include funding for work force development, for dredging projects and for projects to mitigate the effects of Climate Change in our state parks. Over the next several months, i hope youll join me in taking another big step forward or pursuing legislation that will make delaware more of an active player in offshore wind. To diry purchase windgenerated Renewable Energy and to explore if partnerships with states in our region. And, senator hansen, i know this is a big priority of yours, and we look forward to working with you on this legislation. [applause] i want to end started, with some reforest reflection. [inaudible] its been a great honor for me to serve as your governor. I believe the opportunity to serve as an elected official [inaudible] a people can we stow on one of their own. One of our colleagues who have enjoyed that the privilege if for 21 years is representative former speaker pete schwarzkopf. Join me in recognizing the former e speaker for his Incredible Service to our state. [applause] [laughter] theres a lot of love in that standing ovation, representative schwartz cop schwarzkopf. These last seven years havent always been easy. The three years of the pandemic felt like ten to me. But for me, the privilege to serve as governor has been an incredible gift. I got to travel every corner of our state and meet people where they are in firehouses, in schools, at festivals and parades. And during tragic circumstances as well like fires, natural disasters and funeral testimonials. Ive been privileged to listen to peoples hopes and aspirations for themselves and for our state and sharing hair good times and their bad. Ive learned that the most important thing for an elected official is toen the trust of the people grow represent. They give you the benefit of the doubt so long as they trust youre trying to do the right thing. If you earn that trust, they will follow you when times are tough, and times get tough. Finish finally, i want to thank tracy again and our boy, sam and jimmy, for their sacrifices during my time in public service. I couldnt have done it without them by my side. For the if rest of this year, well continue to do the right thing. And working together,he state br for generations to come. I look forward to leaving it on the field with all of you. Thank you for your hard and godr great state of delaware. [applause] [app
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