[applause] thank you, thank you. Madame president , mr. Speaker, lieutenant governor, legislative leaders and members, justices and judges, my fellow iowans. Last weekk the unthinkable happened in iowa when shots were fired in the halls of Perry High School taking the lives of 11yearold amir and injuring 7 others. Ev our hearts are so heavy and our prayers continue for the victims and their families and for thee. Its impossible to understand why things like this happen, the senselessness shakes us to our very core and yet even in the darkest hour light and hope breakthrough. This was certainly the case on that day. Principal dan was nearby when the shooting began. Despite the danger h harms wayg his life to protect his students. Dan sustained multiple gunshot wounds at close range. His unflinching bravery saved lives that morning. Dan is a hero and we pray that hes back where he belongs soon with the students who are so lucky to have him. Courageous action of the local Law Enforcement officers, First Responders and state and federal agents whoff were on the scene that day. The first officer arrived just minutes after the shooting began and iia building. And within 30 minutes of that schools call for help an Army Officers and First Responders from across the metro and surrounding communities arrived on the scene to assist. Officers who heard the dispatch remarked how calm everyone sounded, how focused they were, how well they worked together in the midst of such a tragedy. This is who iowans are and what person or in spirit, iowans showed up that day in perry and will be there every day through their recovery. Please join me in expressing our gratitude to the brave men and women who courageously serve that day. [applause] iowas Law Enforcement first responde l the oath to protect citizens every day. This past year officer of the Police Department and tony hoffman, a fire fight were the iowan Fire Department gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Please join me in a moment of silence to honor these two fallen heros and their all thosy the tragic events in perry. [silence] thank you. So this is the seventh time to address the body to report on the condition of the state. The first time in 2018 workforce was one of the top issues. At that all iowans in the workforce had education or training beyond high o school. The result was thousands ofnfild and thousands of iowans missing out on rewarding of a rewarding career. Together we set out to increase that number to 70 by 2025. I introduced the future ready iowa act and a few m passed theh unanimous support. Tonight im happy to say that weve reached our ambitious goal and did it ahead of schedule. Now i want to be clear, this isnt mission accomplished. The work ofi connecting iowas employers with thousands of skilledd. Workers will continue this session but reachingmilestl lesson on how real change happens. Future ready iowa was born in this building witnd bipartisan legislation. We sat conditions and layed the foundation that elected leaders arent the ones who got it done. It was the people of iowa, the teachers administrators, business owners, Community Colleges and, of course, countless students and adult learners. Theyre the ones who created a new culture merging the worlds like never before. They created apprenticeship programs and brought the workplace into the classroom. They mentored young iowans encouraged their friends to go back to school and supported loved ones dreams. Iowans took the tools we gave them and built something extraordinary. Toem those who have contributed thank you, youre one to have many reasons i can stand before you tonight and confident i will say the condition of our state is strong. [applause] so that everything we do in this building should follow that same ilpattern, set up old vision, build therar to the people of iowa to do what they do best, future ready iowa is one example, School Choice is yet another. Last year we made it our top priority to get our children a quality education that meets their needs. That meant giving families a choice and thats exactly what we did. In the face of intense pressure to keep the status quo we passed one of the boldest School Choice programs in the country kicking off a national revolution. We layed the foundation and now iowa parents regardless of their income can decide whats best forthis new educational freedoms already changing lives. Just recently ive heard from a family whose autistic son is thriving in a Catholic School that welcomed him with open arms and heard from a father that felt his son had a new shot. I want to emphasize, though, the limited to those who chose private schools because educational freedom isnt about public versus private, its about what is best for each individual child. Its about understanding there isnt just one way to educate our kids which is who im happy to announce that this month the state board of education will vote on 8 new Public Charter School applications including those focused on Career Training and atrisk youth. Why. It really does go to competition and choice really can lift all boats. [applause] by locking in educational freedom, a system however longstanding we must be guided in the same vegetables. Another longstanding system. Special education is what we call the area of education agency. They operate without any oversight and provide special education support. This type of system. And little room for accountability. Parents, teachers, School Advice leaders and staff, its clear while some are doing great work, others are underperforming. Aea will is well beyond this reading complex organizations and they are below the National Average and they were nine of 12 national assessments. I would spend 83 hundred hours more in the National Average. o tonight am announcing legislation to change this. Aea will focus solely on students as they should. The department of education and most important it will now control the special education firm. With other districts to share. And me each of thosedents. I know they are not parents with disabilities in the aeas. So let me directly to you. The claim is categorically false. We are simply giving control for those who work directly on a daily basis. The transformational change and do what is right for our children. u being read as a key component is a key to every child success. Holding steady is in good or bad especially with this learning. Children who cant read by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school with and it dramatically increases Illegal Drugs and having poor health. Iowa thirdgraders are reading with persistence. About 50 of california legislators but something is clearly not working. Really only stay in the country that doesnt require competency in Early Literacy licensure. Over the last few decades, but what we know works, sounding out letters, phonics. Many educators. Teachers reang dont speak englh is the priority language. And has done amazing things. Evidencebased grounded in the scientific reading, reading proficiency of des Moines Hoover by 25 . As she herself puts it, shes getting the students one of the most fundamental human rights in education and ition of her succ, and has been made the 2024 iowa teacher of the year. Shes here with us tonight so please join me in recognizing her outstanding efforts. [applause] would you spread what shes in state to make teaching techniques are grounded. We are well on our way through a partnership of learning state is providing a Training Program to all elementary this has reading scores, im confident you will do the same. Nearly 2000 teachers and the teachers have started training for the registered start. But every other state does that our teachers have. Making the Foundation Requirement for education majors. A top priority in every iowa classroom. [applause] whour education system, successl always depend on great teachers. Aside from parents, teachers are some of the most influential figures. To be the best, set them on thea path and impart the love of learning that changed their life for the better. Something to aspire to. One of the highest callings one could have. It sends the message. Tonight i am announcing the legislature to 96 million in new money to increase starting pay by 50 to 50000 and a minimum salary of 620004 teachers with at least 12 years experience. In addition, im allocating 10 million for meritbased Grant Programs that will reward teachers to help their students succeed. These will put iowa in the top five states and help recruit more of the best and brightest to join. [applause] cial session a lot of fetal heartbeat bill for the first time. As an act of courage and conviction. I want to thank you for putting iowa and. Passing the heartbeat bill weir proving every i would counts. They have what they need to make ends meet. Today postpartum care, i am proposing to extend recovery for new moms for 2000 a year. Off to a good start. Critical for families working to get back on their feet the Government Support is the first step on the selfsufficient c. From faith communities and nonprofits and so many wonderful organizations, they are doing work every single day. To amplify and facilitate. I am thrilled to announce iowa, a remarkable initiative for faithbased organizations and networks to connect individuals, families to support outside of government assistance. Countless lives will surely change for the better. [applause] in the aftermath of covid the influence of social media around the state. One of those projects have a Pivotal Moment for iowa beers. This year, a nonprofit and recovery. Tonight is ceo andrew allen and we are especially proud to andrew, siblings who recently graduated with this program. Shared battle against Substance Abuse disorder is alltoofamiliar for families struggling for the opioid pandemic. Todays proof in the midst of deprivation there is hope. Please join me in recognizing them and congratulate. [applause]pl [applause] theres so more work to be done. In iowa there is little to no coordination for mental healt u. Its a problem because over 25 with Serious Mental Health challenges, our state cares about eating iowa the support they need the dedication shortchanged by a fracturedlmost impossible. Too better serve iowa, i am proposing Substance UseMental Health region together into seven new unified behavioral health. The results will be a greater investment on the ground and conductivity between providers, districts and states and most important treatmentelhen and wh. [applause] s Center Customer service for islands we produce from 65 days. To top it off, we made these while at the same time reducing the size of government. This, 21 agencies from a cabinet, 620 open positions and saved millions in the first year. Thats about more than just numbers. Motor vehicle enforcement officer with the department of transportation and realign state government. As part of standard training, underwent a tactical course. Because of the new in the right training for the situation. He was directed for a critically injured victim. He saved a life. [applause] progress, theres one more area, boards and commissions. The alignment passed last year with representation from the legislature to review all 256 boards and commissions. After for public meetings, engagement and review of 1300, the committe submitted the final in september. For my proposal, recommendations of eliminating obsolete boards which is a decrease of 33 streamlining those that remain. This is the first boards and commissions review in 175 year history. It seems a little long. This requires we evaluate every five years to ensure they are meeting the needs of each one. The discrete a policy and to outsource to others. This will continue to play an important re. This is the best way in this ust people of iowa expect. [applause] efficient and effective government in a way that helps them meet longterm goals. Thats why we turned our system into a system with the facts. Average less than ten weeks on unemployment, the lowest rate in 56 years and turns out good things happened when we promote work. [applause] [applause] so many islands are drawing a paycheck instead of government check, unemployment is full. We can reduce Unemployment Insurance payment employers make a half. The result will be significantf, saving more than a hundred miles over five years. These business can create more increased salaries into communities. This will create even greater prosperitys throughout our state. [applause] states are generally focused on connected policies on whats happening in our communities but the last few years sometimes because the federal government refused to carry out constitutional duties. Thankfully how are men and women in uniform continue to answer the call and step in for national leaders. In august and september, 109 National Guard soldiers and 31 state troopers and special agents from the department of Public Safety were deployed to border in texas to support operations lone star. They work with the Highway Patrol of any criminal activity following 1200 at the rio grande. Points of entry, human smuggling and apprehended nearly 3000 illegal migrants. They have the opportunity to visit the border during deployment. One of thes i hope to told me operations lone star had given him the greatest service in his country is ever known. Because of the mission, every older who served at the border did so voluntarily. Many are here with us tonight so please join me in heartfelt gratitude for what they do each and every day. [applause] , the crisis on the southern border isnt the only threat was states of the player role. China continues to grow more and buying American Land is one of the many ways in this new battle. Some of the strongest laws in the country ownership of land. A model for their own policies. We cannot let it undermine the agriculture dominance we have that our farmers have worked so hard. Working in conjunction with secretary of agriculture made attorney general and we developed a bill to further protect farmland and foreign interests. Legislation will enhance reporting an increase penalties provide more transparency under foreign ownership. Lets make sure american soil remains in american hands. [applause] [applause] you know what wouldnt be a condition of the state without talking about your money. The government called taxes. When we starteds journey in 2018, our income tax rate was the sixth highest in the nation at 8. 98 it was clear we needed to make a change. That year we passed legislation that cut rates even more important that would guide us over the next five years. A sense of responsibility to the people of iowa. They deserve a government that exercises and disciplines strength to live within its means and humility to collect only what it needs. This approach has served us well. ve delivered two more majr reform texas cutting rates, eliminating incomes and made more money to farm families and we did so while continuing to i. Our most recent income tax bill established flat rate of 3. 0 until finally taking effect in 2026. It was an aggressive policy and responsible i t this would break the government one a recipe for disaster. Two years later it is clear to go further and faster. State revenue ending the year with 1. 83 billion here, the surplus does not mean we are extending enough. Were still taking too much of i was hard earned money,. [applause] ■z lo back the last year when i look at the results of our hard work, i know weve made a difference the drives me to do it again and iowa is on the rise and over this next week what they are going to see it. One ofhe most affordable states in the country. Young professional homeownership what they are going to see what its like to be in, cut taxes and reward Economic Growth and innovation at its educational to parents and teachers and family comes First Community runs deep. She is has been recognized as one of the best states in the country. ,in this nation, i will stand out with prosperity and stability as a reminder that remarkable people always be trusted to build remarkable things. Its because of that, the condition of our state and our future is truly bright. Thank you, god bless you and god bless the great state of iowa. On cspan two. Find a full schedule on your Program Guide or watch online anytime cspan. Org history. Book tv every sunday on cspan2 discussing latest nonfiction books. At 8 00 p. M. Eastern journalt Research Done by a Government Agency and scientific industry into potential for alien life and his book ufo. Then at 10 00 p. M. On afterward, journalists