For teachers to 60,000 a year. Governor holcomb first elected in 2016 and term limited and cannot seek a term in 2024. [applause] [applause] mr. Speaker, mr. President , madame chief justice, lieutenant governor, members of the General Assembly and my fellow hoosiers, it is, indeed, an privilege to report to you again for the eighth time on the state of our beloved state. A year ago i stood right here and promised you that i would work harder than ever to dont y person that calls indiana home. Today i stand before you again and i renewed that same promise until the conclusion of my assigned in this chamber weve accomplished a lot for sure but theres so much work to be done ahead and as a former navy man im drawn to a motto embraced by grace hopper, one of the first female admirals in the United States navy and i, quote, a shift in port is safe but that is not what ships are built for. In the same spirit i do not plau to safely stay anchored in port for the next 12 months. After all standing still is not what we are built for here in indiana. So to frame up our time here the night and Going Forward id like to talk about something i call the indiana model which guides all the work that weve been doing together to create lasting generational change on the very foundation layed by our pioneering predecessors. Already it has enaed us to take indiana to the next level as youve heard me call it just a few times thats because the naindiana model seeks excellence rejecting any notion that a mid western vowel state would be content with mediocrity and takes giant leaps instead of baby steps. It hinges on collaboration philanthropic sector across all government and its hoosier wide of any distinction with indy and the rest. Nearly every step forward weve made during the last 7 years has followed the indiana model. A remarkable team effort so please give yourselves and our statewide partners a big round of applause on a job well done. [applause] now, for any state or organization for that matter to constantly seek tomprove, its imperative to know whats going on around you, whats changed, whats changing and what still needs to change. So lets start with lets change in indiana over the last 7 years. First, we can finally answer that tiredold question. It used to be a head scratcher. What is indiana known for beyond great stuff like the indy 500 and larry byrd. Today the answers abonn, we are now known for advanced manufacturing, for being ag state in leader and animal in life sciences, top convention destination, logistics and we are on the edge of collaborative r d across artificial intelligence, semiconductors, data centers, corridors, Nuclear Medicine and energy and so much more. Its no m forbes ranked indiana last year as the number one state in america to [applause]siness. And at the same time, we remain one of the lowest cost of living state in the nation. Since 2017 our gdp has grown by over 150 billion. Our privatesector employment is up by 200,000 to alltime high while unemployment rules remain at historic lows. Faster pay down 4. 5 billion inr. Debt, return 1. 5 billion to taxpayers all while maintaining prudent reserves to keep our triple a state credit rating. Obviously, ladies and gentlemen, i dont need to tell you but im proud to, the state of our state indiana is strong. [applause] [applause] and the rest of the world has taken notice and they want in on it. We were only one of three states of all 50 that ran the table to win big federal partnerships, Clean Hydrogen hub, electrocs ea biotech manufacturing hub each will result in millions of new investment and thousands of goodhigh paying jobs that make position indiana to benefit disproportionately from americas renewed focus on defense related manufacturing and strategy. [applause] consider the jaw dropping 28. 7 billion in committed Capital Investment last year which brought indiana over 50 billion in the last two years through our Economic Development efforts. [applause] what took us 12 years before toe that in just the last two years. Thats called indiana momentum and weve got a lot more coming. [applause] and these new jobs come with alltime high wage levels averaging over 75,000 a year much higher than the local and National Averages and allow me to be a myth buster here about where this investment is going, rural and mixed Rural Counties won big capturing 18. 7 billione than 15,000 new jobs over just the last two years. A special thanks to all of you in the General Assembly who recognize the need and provided the Indiana Development corporation with the tools necessary to allow our entireen state to grow alongside our local leaders. We are proving now, our able to define their own destinies. Another particular bright spot last year was the second investment by star plus energy, the joint venture between samsung sdi and cocamo. Theyre building two ev battery factories ultimately creating thousands of new jobs along with sdis similar investment with general motors. [applause] all three of these total over 9 billion of new investment thank you star plus energys newly appointed ceo. We could not be more humbled and appreciative of faith and trust you put in our state and we will reinvest in you and your workforce. Thank you so much. Im just as proud of indianas longstanding relationships with japan and with israel who honor us this evening with their diplomatic presence. Please welcome consul general kohan of israel. [applause] consul of israel. [applause] our hearts are with your people, our friends affected by the recent tragedy in japan and consul general cohen please know that we continue to pray for the safety and security of all those who call the holy land home and we pray for the prospects of lasting peace. [applause] back home in indiana lets move onto whats changing for the better. Businesses and individuals are thriving in indiana because we operate in a Continuous Improvement mode. For starters, we cut our personal income again to 3. 05 on the way down to 2. 9 . [applause]. ■ 6automatically checks inh your doctor to down south changing the game of furniture manufacturing with the help of german robots. The famed Italian Company makes hightech seats for space astronauts. [applause] and ladies and gentlemen, the positive change continues. This is the year our Graduation Rates continue to go up and thanks to the historic investments this body is made, average teacher pay across the state will reach the goal of 60,000 a year. [applause] this is the year we will plant our 1 millionth tree on arbor day ahead of schedule. This is the year we will continue to put down some 280 miles of trails in all parts of the state, making indiana a. This is the year we finish connecting over 70,000 households and businesses completing the 320 Million Investment in the next level Broadband Investment Program and thats before we launch an even bigger, larger 800 million federally backed program for every hoosier who still lacks vast affordable internet access. This is the year, yes it is finally here when i 69 directly connects indianapolis to evansville. [applaus you shot up fast. [laughter] we pled this partnership with our private sector partners, and i am just so proud of that we are approaching this after decades of discussion. [laughter] this is the year when we finish double tracking the south shore line between gary and michigan city, and other big deal. [applause] this is the year our rest stops are converted into true welcome centers. This is the year we moved aggressively on a huge Capital Projects that have been on the drawing board gathering years including the new prison in westville, new archives building, new crime labs,■n stateoftheart Law Enforcement academy colocating the deaf and blind schools into building the first new st state park lodge se 1939 in our state at potatoes street state park. [applause] and this is the year when our communities start to leverage the second round that this assembly made possible. [applause] the first round of 500 million leveraged Public Private and nonprofit investments. Over 4 billion in housingfrastrm confident a similar outcome during this next round actually based on what i am about to far exceed even our most hopeful projections. Tonight im so proud to announce the Lilly Endowment. We will be making the single largest grant award in its 86 a 250 million to support ready 2. 0 project is focused on light reduction, redevelopment and arts and cultural initiatives throughout our entire state. [applause] let me offer a few thousand more thank youse to the Lilly Endowment and jeanette hill, the president there, and clay robbins where both of your stewardship for the organization that once again shows why its e making our state the place we all want it to be for generations to come. Thank you, thank you for being here tonight and every day forward. [applause] along with ready 2. 0 and recognizing health is wealth, the help first indiana program, the nations largest substantial new commitment to Public Health will further empower indiana counties to create tailored actions. By the way the first 75 million you all appropriated has just been distributed to the 86 counties that■■z opted in, andi fully realize there is a long way to go here, but lets acknowledge that we are starting to make progress against drug addiction. You and this chamber helped create new tools such as 385 more beds for residential treatment, molochs own distribution, the 988 suicide increases lifeline. And an online treatment finder for anyone anytime seeking to recover. [applause] due to these efforts and so many others, recent reporting shows statewiderug Overdose Deaths dropped statewide 5 yearoveryear. This is progress. [applause] and a special thank you to the chiefjustice rush and our judicy for also making Transformational Technology and administrative improvemts in connecting with all those we serve who are trying to and are working so hard to restore their lives. [applause] now, alongside the rules that are public and private partners play, its the everyday citizens who step up and improve the lives of others that are the most essential to the fly will affect the indiana model. For instance, a few months back, i attended an event at indianas memorial. A young lady introduced herself and shared an observation that immediately rang true. The license plate we offer the goldstar families didnt really convey the full meaning of the sacrifice these hoosier families have made. Lauren did not shy away when i asked if she would help us come up with a worthy family played. Several months later, thanks to her willingness to collaborate with our bureau of motor vehicles, a much more powerful tribute exists. The everlasting appropriately honor those who gave us their sons and daughters, there has been since biosnd her feelings could not have been more personal. You see, lauren lost her husband matthew in a nato training accident in 2022. Lauren and matthews mother lisa are here with us this evening. And ladies, we join you in honoring matt and too many others that have made that same sacrifice. Ladies and gentlemen, this iswhe up close and personal. [applause] and finally, in an attitude of gratitude, lets continue to live up to the indiana model in this legislative session ahead by addressing what still needs■ to change. Here are a few commitments i believe we must make this year. We must improve policies around third grade reading to make sure that every child masters this essential skill. We must prepare our students for a digitally driven world by requiring Computer Science graduate from high school. We must work with our public universities to make college even more accessible by creating more threeyear in associate degree options. We must expand ourz hildcare workforc to help more working moms and dads in indiana. We must update the state Disaster Relief fund to make it ea communities to access the fund they need, and we must build better awareness of our states next level jobs programs. Theres so many of them, and we will do that through a campaign we are calling one stop to start, helping people obtain one of the many highpaying, lifechanging Jobs Available no. I ask for your partnership in making these things happen because we must never forget how much the work of Good Governance matters to those who sent us here in the first■q place. [applause]m excited about 2024. Im convinced that it will shine a light on many other examples of how the indiana model is boosting economic outcomes, our infrastructure into the 21st century vanguard and most importantly, improving lives through new opportunities. And while earthly governments governancecannot take credit will draw even more attention to indiana when the biggest spotlight of them all, the son. This turned off for several minutes, so dont even think away from being away from indiana on april 8th when we are in the direct path of a total solar eclipse. [applause] friends, a new year s about reflection and preparation for whats next. I only wish our buddy henry were here with us to do just that. Hy promises to you for 2024. My administration will not be shipping port. Instead we will deploy on multiple fronts until my last day and hour as your governor owning the indiana model. Im staking my reputation to it. We will find constructive answers to any unforeseen challenges that arise, and we will move from ideas to implementation during these times of great transformation. D ve done for seven years now to any and all partners who share a love for indiana and believe in our future. Indiana is a wonderful place to live, to breathe, to work, to raise a family. Its a wonderful place to help lead. My fellow hoosiers, if i live long need a smart meal or two, i will regard the privilege of having served a■s your governor is the honoring of a lifetime. With all my heart, i think you for it. Good evening, and may god bless and now lets get back to work and run up the score in 2024. [applause] thank you. [applause]x [applause] [applause] cspan is your unfiltered view of government, we are funded by these Television Companies and more including comcast. You think this is just a community center, no, its way more than that. Comc with a thousand Community Centers to create wifi so people with lowincome families can be ready for anything. Omcast supports cspan as blic service along with these Television Providers giving you a frontrow seat to democracy. Q a katie rogers shares her book American Woman about the modern evolution of first ladies of the United States and the impact contributions by first ladies of both parties going back to Hillary Clinton and their changing rules in the 21st century. Melania trump really highlighted for americans the fact that you dont have to do anything with this role if you dont want to and theres been first ladies throughout htotle o Hillary Clinton or eleanor roosevelt, but the fact that Melania Trump was doing this in our time as they are is is almost radical. Katie rogers with her book American Woman sunday night at 8 00 p. M. Eastern on cspan q a. You can listen to q a and all of our podcasts on cspan now app. 3 years ago democracy faces threats in civil war and today the bruise of democracy remains unvowed and unbroken. Thursday President Biden delivers the annual state of the Union Address during a joint session of congress to outline his priorities for the country. Beginning at 8 00 p. M. Eastern with our Preview Program followed by President Bidens speech of the union speech and we will get your reaction by taking your phone calls, texts and social media comments. Watch the state of the address live thursday at 8 00 p. M. Thursday on cspan, cspan now, our free mobile video app or online at cspan. Org. Iowa governor kim reynolds from the capitol in des moines. She began her shooting where fifth grader and principal died along with the shooter himself. Shes been governor since 2017. This is about 50