In his file state of the state address Florida Governor rick scott praised the efforts of the First Responders and Law Enforcement after hurricane irma. He also outlined the parties of the legislative year which had fun appropriate addiction and strengthening policies in the workplace. This is 40 minutes. [applause] also, joining us in the east gallery is his wife. The first lady, anne scott. [applause] good morning. Thank you for your graciousness towards me and my wife. And it is wonderful to be here. I think about the first time that i gave this speech so i am honored to deliver my final state of the state address today. I would like to recognize a few people. First the speaker of the house. [applause] speaker, i appreciate your commitment to cutting taxes. For fighting to make sure that every dude can get a great education. To the president , joe negron. [applause] you are focused on lake okeechobee and floridas environmental countless for generations. The tenant government carlos lopez [applause] carlos, thank you for all you do for our great state at the glendening in the fight for freedom and democracy in cuba and venezuela. I would also like to recognize attorney general pam bondi. I spoke with her this morning. She cannot be here today but she has been a true advocate for victims and has been a leading voice in our fight against the Opioid Epidemic and there is no doubt her efforts have saved lives. A big round of applause for the attorney general. [applause] chief financial officer, jimmy [applause] i was proud to appoint you as cfo. In a very short time youve done so much to help florida families. I want to thank you for all that you are doing for florida firefighters. Thank you. [applause] commissioner of agriculture, adam putnam. [applause] and thank you for fighting for the critical Agriculture Committee and what youve done to help the Citrus Industry especially after hurricane irma. I also want to thank the chief justice and members of the florida supreme court. I would like to thank each of you for all of your service. [applause] i would also like to thank my wife, anne. There is not a day that goes by that im not thankful for your unwavering support. As first lady had done so much to help her to families. From schools and literacy and helping to find forever homes for children in foster care. Im so proud of all that you have done. He took a chance on me, a skinny kid without a thing in his pocket. Who talk too fast and only had a dream. He believed in me every day since then. Include in the day i told you i wanted to run for governor. When no one else thought that i had a chance, you stood by me. I love you. [applause] i also want to recognize my soninlaw pierre and my oldest grandson. [applause] he either wants to be a paratrooper or a Police Officer when he grows up by the way, i love being a grandparent. It is the best job in the world [applause] i know how disappointed you all must be that you will not get to hear another great speech like this. [laughter] try to hold back the tears all jokes aside, is dented today at the beginning of my last year as governor. Thank you for the opportunity that we have all had to help our beloved state of florida. I am thankful that in 2010, with the amazing support of my family, the people of florida given the unbelievable opportunity to try and turn the state of florida around. This has been the most rewarding job. There were naysayers that told us there was no way that they businessman with no experience in politics or government could possibly be successful in healthcare and floridas economy around. Thankfully they were wrong. I would see politicians come and go in there process is business friendly, cut taxes and reduce regulation. Usually, it was all talk. Nothing much ever happened. Ive been in business in almost every state. And i brought up an issue about licensing to government leaders. They would often repeat the same old promises. And reassure me that they would get back with me. Of course, they rarely did. In 2010 my ran for governor i promised to change the status quo. And an environment where businesses can succeed and great job after job for florida families. The results speak for themselves. Working together, we have created an environment with the private sector has added nearly 1. 5 million jobs. [applause] our gdp has grown 26 percent in seven years baby or home values have skyrocketed. We decreased debt by 9 billion. [applause] and our clinical rate has gone from over 10 percent to now 3. 6 percent which is almost a 10 year low and lower than the national average. [applause] those are some great statistics. But this is not about statistics. It is about real people. Like many people, i grew up in poverty and i can say firsthand having a job is not something anyone should ever take for granted. Florida has experienced the most incredible economic revival because together, we were told to cut taxes over 80 times. Which is saved more than 7. 5 billion dollars. [applause] working together we have taken billions of dollars out of government hands and given effect florida families. Like many of you here, this is my last year in this position. This is my last session to cut taxes. We must acknowledge that unfortunately at some point, there will be politicians sitting in this chamber who are not fiscally responsible as we are today. Im sure there will be people down the road in our jobs that want to increase taxes. Otherwise known as taking more money from hardworking floridians. Decades ago florida voters had an amendment to the execution of prohibited a state in contested skeptics worn that bad things would happen. Skeptics were wrong. I want 2018 to be the year that voters have an amendment that makes it harder for politicians to raise taxes. [applause] my proposal would require two thirds of legislature to vote on tax increase for it to become law. Some of that proposal be in effect for emergency or another national recession. My answer is clear, absolutely. [applause] it is during times of economic downturn with this proposal is needed the most. It will force leaders to contemplate living within their means rather than taking the easy way out and sticking it to the public by raising taxes on families and job creators. [applause] i ask all of you to join me in this fight and to do all that we can to not let future politicians undo the hard work we have all done to grow floridas economy and create jobs. We need to secure a Strong Economy for our children and grandchildren. Ive also put the florida txdot package this year that will truly benefit every florida family. Before i took Office Everyone who had a drivers license based a massive increase. They want to reduce they have a regular drivers license and 50 percent for 40. I want to cut the fee on original drivers license by more than 43 percent reported dollars to 27. I want to cut the fee on commercial driver license for more than 10 percent. My dad was a truck driver and he has extra money back in his pocket for my family that would be a big deal. My task proposal also includes sales tax holidays. And that will prepare for the school year and Hurricane Season. After the storms we experienced last year, we need to have a longer sales tax holidays of people have time to buy the supplies they need generators, batteries and flashlights. My proposal extends the current one week sales tax holiday for three weeks over a threemonth period to make sure people have ample time to get the goods they needed for the start of the next Hurricane Season i think someone can predict the storm . A portion of our state was completely covered. It was like a scene from a bad movie. Floridians came together and we all face hurricane amount together. Her story after story of families helping one another in Community Standing together. The response and was shown by our state was one of the hardest moments that i had as governor. Many people in strength help to raise awareness in his community. I want to thank you for doing that. [applause] after the storm, we all showed up. We handed out water and working at food banks. So many floridians in this room help neighbors in need. And i believe florida has come back even stronger. [applause] florida demonstrated how to respond to a natural disaster. I would like to introduce you to lauren and michael davis. [applause] they both served in the Florida National guard and along with thousands of brave National Guard members in the storm. However they had a very inconvenient car for couples. In Jacksonville Beach the same week the Hurricane Impact of florida. Instead of postponing getting married they decided to exchange vows in full uniform in front of their fellow guardsmen at the Orange CountyConvention Center is a prepared proposed storm response. [applause]. Just we thought we got there irma, marie was quickly approaching puerto rico. We were spared and are americans in puerto rico were devastated. Like many of you in the room, ive been focusing on helping puerto rico recover and rebuild. Have had the opportunity to visit twice since the storm. I felt firsthand the devastation on the island. Ive tried to help the people puerto rico anyway i could. We have had hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans come to florida sense maria. My goal is for us to be most welcoming place for those displaced by Hurricane Maria. [applause] [applause] we have set up to help americans get connected to services. We made it easier for them to get enrolled in our schools, we remove barriers for professional licenses so they can get to work in our state. Theres more we can do to help puerto rico and everyone impacted. Patient proposing 12 million in funding to establish the english language learners academy. Focus on reading apartments and making sure students to space bar Hurricane Maria have access to important learning programs. Ask each of you to support me in making sure we get funding for the program this year. [applause] as we saw throughout the storm, First Responders came to the rescue of many. That only did they do a outstanding job but they came to aid outside of florida. Following maria, the Highway Patrol members were appropriate following her can have in texas, within two dozen after bc officers helped rescue the 500 people trapped in flooded areas. Theyre not here with us today, please join me in giving these individuals a big round of applause. [applause] [applause] a Law Enforcement have done an incredible job protecting 40 families. I hope each of you will support my proposed payraise of 30 million for allstate sworn officers this year. Im proud to support a measure going through revision to give free tuition for the families of all First Responders, state lawenforcement officers, military members have lost their lives in the line of duty. [applause] [applause] since ive taken office, unfortunately 41 officers have been killed in their states in the line of duty. These brave men and women died as heroes, its important that state does Everything Possible to take out the families who lost a loved one who is working to protect each of us and our families and communities. It is the least we can do. Wrestling of military men and women and her First Responders need to be thinking about when they go to work every day, as will my family be taken care of if im gone. Two dancers who died lester or Sergeant Sam Howard and officer matthew baxter. They were shot while on controlling kissimmee. Sergeant howards wife and daughter are here today. [applause] [applause] [applause] [applause] officer baxters wife is also here and was recently sworn in as a special agent for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. [applause] [applause] [applause] will continue to do all we can tell on her sam and matthew. Another hero who was killed in the line of duty is lieutenant deborah clayton. She was executed in cold blood. I have fought hard to ensure that her accused killers prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. [applause] why will stop at nothing to fully support the families of fallen Police Officers like deborah clayton. Thats why i removed cases from a prosecutor who refuse to suggest for fault lawenforcement officer. I want to be very clear, affordable we have zero tolerance for anyone who tax florida Law Enforcement officers. [applause] i will fight to make sure justice is swift and the killers are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. That doesnt stop of lawenforcement. We have to take care of all crime victims in our state. No one in florida who is been a victim of crime should feel ashamed. Victims of crime or harassment deserve to have their voices heard. Last year i was stunned to hear that state employees who reported instances of Sexual Harassment did not have their identities protected. If you are state employee who is a victim of Sexual Harassment, and you filed a complaint with your agency, your name or other identified information was not always confidential. I have daughters, there is not a learning there is not a public records exemption for this bothered me. So i about to change the law. With the help of all of yous chamber we passed a law to protect state employees who are victims of Sexual Harassment. Working together we took a step forward to protect those in State Government for victimize. Lets be clear, more has to be done. Last month i signed an order that outlines the process for training, reporting, investigating recovery for victims at all my agencies. I urge both chambers and all of the cabinet agencies to follow her lead and do the same. I want to encourage the legislator to pass the bill this year that protects state employees who witness their colleagues being harassed or victimized. Want to ensure that these individuals are protected so they feel encouraged to participate in investigations. We have seen this play out all over the country, including tallahassee. Things have to change, has to start here and in this building. [applause] [applause] was important that we all stand together and send a very strong message, florida stands with the victims. [applause] i now want to turn to another sears topic that i believe by working together we must combat in our state. Excellent families have had to watch a loved one struggle with drug abuse. Its hard and very painful. When i first took office work with joe bonding to crack down he fought hard to get the software straight. As weve seen with the initial opiate epidemic or fight against drugs is not over. One introduce you to sarah shepherd. [applause] [applause] serve as a Parent Partner and healthy start. Nonprofit organization in Daytona Beach one of our many state partners in the fight against the opiate epidemic. After overcoming her own addiction seven years ago she dedicates her time to helping parents to the challenging Recovery Process so they can be reunited with their children. It requires incredible strength and bravery we must make sure resources are available. The show i propose to invest 53 million to fight opiate of abuse in florida. We need to reduce the ability for dangerous drugs to spread a tour communities. Give Agency Support they knew and ensure lawenforcement officers have resources. I ask you all to support these measures the sessions we can observe this important work so she and others to interstate each day. [applause] [applause] know i talk about job numbers a lot. To the point where the reporters roll their eyes. Theres other statistics that are impressive and show Great Strides in our state. Since 201,120,000 children have been adopted. [applause] [applause] think about that, 20000 more kids in the home to a loving family and just the last seven years. One of the families like to recognize a recent new mom erica from tallahassee. [applause] [applause] [applause] eric is a child protective investigator with the Florida Department of childrens and families. Shes worked to help children in need a serving as a foster permit. She was asked a foster baby boy named adam. She fell in love with him and when his younger brother avery was born the next or should be in caring for him. She wanted to do what she could to give them a better life. She permanently opened her heart by officially adopting the two Young Brothers is a proud single mother. [applause] thank you for changing the lives of these precious children. Your profound actions will inspire more people to adopt. Im proud that since 2013 ive had the opportunity to were 13000 veterans with the Governors Service award. One of the recipients is here today. Lets welcome paul. [applause] [applause] policy owner of that score, a Registration Company in tampa. As a Small Business owner he has seen the results of our efforts to cut taxes firsthand. Hes been able to invest in our Company Cream in 20 new jobs in five years. His business to hire veterans. [applause] im proud that we Work Together to make it easier for businesses like paul create jobs. The more work veterans have jobs to support their families. Before close, we must recognize the larger role that florida plays globally. The past three years as i traveled to venezuela i could hear from floridians who are worried about the situation the regime has created in venezuela. No mistake, the gang of thugs pose a problem for florida in the entire world especially for us here in florida. s home for a vibrant venezuelan population. Many of our friends and neighbors have family there. There is no free speech. People like Leopold Lopez imprisoned or put under house arrest for fighting for democracy. Theres limited access to food and medicine. The people deserve better. [applause] [applause] they deserve freedom, they deserve democracy. To do our part, i propose to ban state investments going to benefit the regime. [applause] [applause] last year the entire cabinet supported this effort and i want to thank them. Now fighting for legislation that takes a step further by blocking state agencies from doing the same. I ask you to join me in this fight and pass the important legislation. One introduce you to sebastian and marianne from miami. [applause] they desperately want to see change in venezuela. In 2011 sebastian escape the crisis by moving to miami where he met his beautiful wife. Together they opened a vegan bakery that employs within 20 floridians. Sebastian is one of many people who had to flee for freedom and democracy are proud to having you here in florida we must continue to stand with people of venezuela against the dictatorship. Im going, and i know this chamber will fight to make sure florida does Everything Possible to bring freedom and democracy to venezuela. [applause] i have spent every day fighting to grow our economy. And to ensure we have the most prosperous state for generations to come. Im proud of the work we have accomplished to secure floridas future by creating an environment where everyone has tools they need to succeed. Our work is not done. We must secure our future by investing record funding in our environment. Into our Education System and transportation infrastructure. We must secure our future by helping those with disabilities have access to great jobs. [applause] we must secure our future by remaining in ensuring were the most military friendly state in the nation. [applause] [applause] we must secure our future by making sure florida remains the Global Destination for jobs. [applause] we have a finite amount of time left. Thats fight together to secure floridas future for each and every family. Thank you for the opportunity to be here. God bless you, god bless the great state of florida,. [applause] [applause] coming up on saturday morning, Washington Examiner criminal justice reporter kelly will join us to discuss the House Intelligent Committee memo. Well see the views of the release of the Intelligence Committee memo. Watch washington journal, 11 y morning. And the discussion. This weekend the city tour will take you to fayetteville arkansas located in the ozark mountains. Some to the university of arkansas the Clinton House museum. The first also billing hillary clinton. We will explore the rich literary life history. Will visit the special collection at the university of arkansas libraries where we will hear about senator fulbrights 30 year career. Fulbright could talk to anybody. Different lyrical stripes. People across the aisle. A democratic leader working with the president of future republican president. All here watching texas beat the razorbacks. On sunday at 2 00 p. M. We will tour the prior center for arkansas for oral and visual history and local historian talks about the history of the ozarks of the stereotypes people face living in the region. Lots of things that come with the general territory of being a mostly white mostly rural mostly poor place, those images and stereotypes will stick with us. There part of our story. Watch the citys were beginning on saturday at noon eastern once he spent two and sunday at 2 00 p. M. On American History tv. Working with the cable affiliates as we explore america. Next, colorado governor delivering his final state of the state address. He outlined his legislative priorities which include economic development, Broadband Internet access and transportation infrastructure. This is almost one hour