Phan, house leaders peterson and fernandez fernandez, Senate Leaders gray and bradley, chief justice, members of the legislature and judiciary, my fellow arizonans, thank you so much for the warm welcome. Its great to be back. applause allow me to start with a question. Show of hands. Who here today in this chamber was born somewhere other than the state of arizona . As you can see, theres a lot of us. Ill always be a kid from toledo, and we have folks here from all over the country and all over the world. Its uniquely arizona. We choose to move here, live here, make this home, and were not alone. As we stand here today, more than 70 of our adult citizens were born somewhere else. So were some of our greatest state icons. Leaders like secretary of the air force, barbara barrett. Trail blazers like raul castro. Legends like jerry colangelo. Quiet saints like bill bidwell. Giants like sandra day oconnor. And heroes like john mccain and pat tillman. And the new comers keep coming. Last year we punched through 7 Million People and left massachusetts in the dust. applause 120,000 people are moving here a year. Thats more than 300 a day. By the time i finish this speech, 14 new arizona residents will have arrived. And im known for brevity. I think its fair to say that i speak for all of us. The native arizonans and the newcomers. When i say we love it here. applause its for good reason. Ladies and gentlemen, im proud to report the state of our state is strong. applause and the best part of is, its only getting better. Look at all thats happening around us. Our crime rate is dropping and School Test Scores are rising. Our Credit Rating is up and our debt is way down. Household incomes have hit a record high. And our poverty rate has dropped faster than any other state in the nation. applause as we enter a new decade, things look a lot different than when we entered the last one. Today, arizonas economy is more diverse. We have more manufacturing jobs than construction jobs. And were top ten in transportation, science, technology, and health care. applause our National Reputation has never been better. Our relationship with mexico has never been stronger. And with the new usmca, weve paved the way for an Even Stronger trade relationship with our valued neighbors to the south. applause we got here by doing things our way. The arizona way. And im here to tell you, you aint seen nothing yet. applause here, common sense still rules the day. Other states and d. C. Politicians might be focused on growing government. Arizona grows opportunity. Our population is surging, but the size of our government is actually shrinking. applause all while providing faster, more Efficient Customer Service to taxpayers and citizens. In arizona we believe in maximizing freedom and limiting government. We believe government should do fewer things but do the things it does well. Lets continue hacking away at the permanent bureaucracy and the mother may i state. applause the people dont need the governments permission. The government needs the peoples permission. applause we believe in the freedom to work. On arizonas 50th birthday, someone wisely predicted arizona will continue to be the haven for people who seek an outlet for initiative and a reward for work. That was Barry Goldwater in 1962. In that spirit we passed universal recognition of occupational licensing. Allowing anyone in america to bring their skills to arizona and get to work. applause applause up in the governors office, our phones have been ringing off the hook. Red states, blue states, all wanting to replicate what arizona has done. Representative peterson, hows that for model legislation . Fact is, if imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery, then arizona should be blushing. We were the first state in the nation to pass the american civics act. 34 others have followed suit. Only 15 more to go. Our unanimous work on opioids was the most aggressive and comprehensive policy in the nation and prompted other states and the federal government to take notice and take action. And way back in 2016 we protected free speech on our college campuses. When it takes texas three years to catch up, you know were doing something right. Here, you can brew beer, churn ice cream, and make an honest living. Now, all we need is uber and lyft back at sky harbor. applause we launched the happy Babies Program to let new parents bring their infants to work. How do we know it was a great idea . Because in california, it got vetoed. laughs we fired the lobbyists, freed the blow dryers, and alonged the way, even managed to legalize potlucks. Cutting red tape, we were doing it before it was cool. But the most surprising news is not everyone is mimicking us. Places like california, illinois, washington state, connecticut, and new york, theyre taking the opposite approach. Higher taxes. More regulations. Wasteful spending. Mountains of debt. Thats the wrong way. Well stick to the arizona way. applause while those states are crushing people and businesses with burdensome regulations and unnecessary laws, the residents are flocking to arizona. Here, were not just open for business, were open for opportunity for everyone. As a result, were now the numberone inbound state in america. applause our economy is roaring. 350,000 new jobs since 2015. Its reflected in our bursting general fund and growing revenues. But for those of you who dont know me that well yet, spoiler alert, were not going on a spending spree. applause but old habits diehard for the spending lobby. Theres a chorus of special interests, scheming, plotting, and clamoring for new and higher taxes. They dont seem to understand the reasons our new residents are coming here. It isnt to import those bad outofstate policies. Its to escape them. applause so let me reiterate what i said in five prior state of the state speeches and two inaugural addresses. Because, apparently, it bears repeating. No new taxes. Not this session. Not next session. Not here in this chamber. Not at the ballot box. Not on my watch. applause were running a billiondollar surplus. And somehow, thats still not enough . Give us a break. Even better, give the Hardworking Taxpayers a break. applause and lets start with the ones who we can all agree have sacrificed the most. We are blessed to have more than 600,000 veterans in our state. applause one of the largest populations of veterans in the country. From world war ii to post9 11. Our greatest generation to our newest generation. These brave men and women are heroes to whom we as citizens owe a debt of gratitude for all the freedoms we enjoy each and every day. applause id like to ask all the veterans in the chamber today to please rise so we can recognize and honor your service. applause yours is a Public Service in a league of its own. As president lincoln said of our veterans, the world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. To say these individuals are great americans is an understatement. Once retired, our vets continue to give back. We can never repay them, but we can at least do our part to demonstrate our appreciation. Our vets have already earned their benefits. Put their lives on the line. The government shouldnt be taxing their service to country. It should be honoring their service to country. applause our budget does this by eliminating all state incomeveteransmilitary pensions once and for all. applause we have a goal to make arizona home base for veterans everywhere in the country. These women and men make our state stronger. To all our veterans everywhere, from california to new york state, arizona wants you. All of you. Youve put our country first, and now with this budget, arizona will put you first. applause eliminating taxes for our veterans is one way but not the only way we can honor our heroes. Were connecting veterans to jobs. And were working toward the opening of two new veterans homes. And the battlefield isnt the only place where our servicemen and womens lives is at risk. Once they come home, they face new challenges with suicide rates three times higher among arizonas veterans. Our department of Veterans Services under the direction of colonel wanda wright is a National Leader in addressing veteran suicide. Through the be connected program, veterans are connecting with one another for support and Behavioral Health services. What more needs to be done for all arizonans struggling with this growing crisis. Its now the eighth leading cause of death in our state. This is a national problem, one needing arizona solutions. Last year, dr. Kara krist, leader of the department of health services, convened a group of stakeholders and Mental Health experts to develop a plan to combat suicide and save lives. And when it comes to our kids in the iphone era, they face a world dramatically never modern Technology Different than the one we grew up in. Modern technology, social media, loneliness, vaping, we need solutions that focus on the whole child. Promoting personal resilience. Leveraging our community in a supportive environment. Lets start by increasing access to Mental Health care. [applause] were working with senator kate brofy mcgee and representative joss weneger on a longoverdue reform. Insurance companies should be covering Mental Health just like they cover an annual physical, and were going to make sure they do. [applause] ive called on you to get rid of old laws. Today, im leading by example. Moments ago i rescinded 23 old executive orders resulting in the elimination of 18 boards and commissions we just dont need. [applause] thank you. Dont worry. Im not going to go through the list. You wont miss them. Weve been on a blitz to wipe out needless regulations. 2,289 gone. Thats the equivalent of 134 million tax cut without impacting the general fund one penny. But were not done yet. I issued a new executive order with a new reform. If the government ever deems a new regulation absolutely necessary, it must first identify three others to eliminate. The [applause] you get it. The result, new regulations will naturally mean less regulations. [applause] overall, we are doing more with less. Our hardworking state employees are rooting out waste. Theyve consolidated and even eliminated entire state agencies and theyve reduced the state fleet by 767 vehicles, saving taxpayers 31 million. Other areas of government could follow their lead. There are hundreds of unelected boards and commissions that exist in a dark corner of state government, often escaping accountability and scrutiny. Weve sought to chip away at the deeprooted cronyism, but theres still too many insiders and industry good old boys. Its time to clean this up. Senator michelle yugenterita has a bill that puts real people, unbiased people, on these boards. Lets pass it. [applause] last year during budget negotiations, Senate Democratic leader David Bradley alerted us to something new. Boards stockpiling cash and sitting on Bank Accounts of millions in reserves. All while continuing to burden real people with fees. Its time for that to end. Lets freeze the fees and free the people. [applause] plumbers, barbers, nurses, and engineers, no one should ever have to buy their freedom back from the government. Least of all, the men and winomen who have served our country. You heard me say i want arizona to be the National Leader for veterans. Well, rentpresentative joanne osborns got the bill for our heroes and military spouses, polish your resumes. Were getting rid of your fees. [applause] were also going to target more resources toward our trade programs with an eye toward achieve 60az. At our Community Colleges, a full restoration of s. T. E. M. And Workforce Development funding. [applause] in our public schools, more dollars to ct etrade programs that train students in the highdemand careers of the future. These are worthy and responsible investments so with money in the bank, lets make them. We prioritize fiscal responsibility. Weve learned from the mistakes of the past. This building, we now own the deed. [applause] were sitting on our highest Credit Rating ever. [applause] treasury, how about that Permanent Land Endowment Trust fund . 6. 2 billion. The largest in history. Well done. And last year, instead of going on a sugar high and spending through our surplus, we brought our Rainy Day Fund to a record recordbreaking 1 billion. This allows us to return dollars back to the Hardworking Taxpayers and make smart, targeted, investments. Like new roads and bridges. [applause] weve fully and permanently restored transportation dollars for our rural communities. The widening of i17, state route 189 in nogales, u. S. 95 in yuma. Last week, i called on the federal government to fund then to tonto basin bridge. [applause] and we cut the ribbon on the newly completed loop 202 into the west valley. Its progress, and next on the list, i10. The phoenix tucson corridor is an economic artery for our state, and it needs expanding. [applause] its time to accelerate completion of i10s widening in both directions. Between our two largest cities. Our budget puts the pedal to the metal with a construction of a new sixlane bridge over the healer river. [applause] this replaces a 56yearold bridge. 62,000 people drive over it every day. Thats 23 million a year. So lets break ground asap. We need to connect all parts of our growing state. Rural areas still lack highspeed internet. Lets triple our investment in Rural Broadband grants and invest 50 million in smart highway corridors to install broadband around our rural interstates. This will make our highways safer and smarter than ever been before and pave the way to get all of rural arizona logged on. All throughout our priorities, youll see a focus on rural arizona because there are 15 counties, and news flash, there are needs outside of the great state of maricopa. Nearly 20 years ago, arizona voters passed the tribal state gaming compact. Its been a net positive for all arizonans. These compacts begin expiring within the next few years. For months, weve been working to develop a modern, updated agreement, one that is regulated, safe, and limited. And that preserves the culture of our state. Id like to thank all the tribal leaders who have been hard at work on these negotiations. Its been a give and take and a worthwhile agreement is this close. We owe it to our tribes and our citizens to get this done. [applause] thank you. Last year we came together and passed the drought contingency plan. It was the most significant water policy in 40 years. We will continue to protect lake mead, the colorado river, groundwater and our ag jobs. [applause] but we shouldnt be dealing with this issue one generation at a time. We need a strategic ongoing effort to turn arizona into the International Capital for water innovation. Look at all israel has accomplished. Why not arizona . [applause] weve been a leader on water, and with this approach, we will be an Even Stronger leader far into the future. Now, theres no new shortage of jobs in arizona. But many vital jobs remain unfilled in our rural communities. So, weve got a plan. A rural jobs initiative. First, tourism and state parks. Theres no place more beautiful to vacation than scenic arizona. And with an infusion of new dollars, were going to work with tourism director Debby Johnson to ensure the whole world knows it. Next, workforce. Small business is the backbone of our economy. So were launching a partnership with local first arizona to strengthen small businesses, get rural arizonans back to work and bolster our local economies. Our Community Colleges are creating a pipeline of talent, so were expanding these efforts with a 4 Million Investment in our rural colleges. There are currently over 2,000 manufacturing Jobs Available outside maricopa and pima counties. Lets get these jobs filled and attract even more. Asu, u of a, and nau have stepped up to fuel our economy and were about to pour on the gas. Regions chair dr. Larry penley has proposed what he calls the new economy initiative. Its an innovative approach that enhances our capacity to graduate more students for the critical jobs of today and tomorrow. Its just the latest effort by our universities to solve problems and to do it the arizona way. Like working to address the National Teacher shortage. Through the arizona Teachers Academy, we made a commitment to our aspiring teachers. You stay and teach in arizona, and well cover your college tuition. The effort is paying off. Enrollment in the Teachers Academy has skyrocketed with 2,170 students now participating. Were proud to have some of the students and graduates of our Teachers Academy here today. Ladies and gentlemen, will you join me in welcoming these new arizona teachers. This year, we intend to build on our momentum with reforms sponsored by senator paul boyer. Allowing even more students to go through the academy. Students seeking degrees in math and science, teachers specializing in educating blind children. Arizonas future depends on these educators. Lets provide them with access so they can get to the front of the classroom debtfree. Theres still work to do to address the teacher shortage, but a recent study by the center for American Progress is encouraging. Arizona has experienced the second highest growth in new teachers enrolling, in teacher preparation programs, were actually 1 of 5 states out of 50 seeing an increase in enrollment. And this is news we can all celebrate because the state of our state can only be strong with strong public schools. Here are the facts. Over the past five years, weve increased perstudent spending more quickly and consistently than at any time in the past 20 years. Today, arizona is one of only a few states in the nation demonstrating academic improvements over the last decade. We provided funding to get schools built faster and on time to meet growing demand, and most importantly, by the start of the new school year, teacher pay will be up 20 . Thank you. In total weve pumped 4. 5 billion in new investments in arizona schools and with our latest budget, that figure will rise to 6. 6 billion. And weve done all of this without raising taxes. In addition, an even larger investment in school counselors, cops on campus, and school safety. A stronger focus on cte in the trades. More money for the arizona Teachers Academy and teach for america. And a full, complete, and accelerated restoration of Flexible Funding two years ahead of schedule. Speaker bowers, president phan, when youre ready to vote, im ready to sign. Theres still more we can do to help children in our state who are facing the biggest challenges. The late great john mccain called education the civil rights issue of the 21st century, and he was right. As he put it, what is the advantage in a lowincome area of sending a child to a Failing School and that being their only choice . In that spirit weve worked hard to create more choice and opportunities for kids and their parents. Open enrollment. Public Charter Schools. Education savings accounts. And in arizona much of this work has been bipartisan. Were celebrating 25 years of public Charter Schools in our state. Another arizona idea thats been a model for the country. And [applause] and today, we are honored to have the two trail blazers who led this bipartisan innovation. One republican, one democrat. Theyre back in the chamber today. Former superintendent Lisa Graham Keegan and former state senator armando ruiz. This is truly something that making arizona unique, the arizona way. Here kids are not trapped in Failing Schools. And, despite what you hear from some folks on the National Campaign trail, School Choice isnt about Charter Schools versus private schools versus district schools. Its about kids and families. When we debate these issues here at the capitol, its easy to forget the fact that real people and real kids are impacted by these policies. Kids like adonis watt. At age 5 adonis was diagnosed with a rare form of congenital glaucoma and as a result went blind. While he may have lost his sight, he did not lose his drive. Today at age 15, adonis is a hero of many, a super hero to be exact. His passion is an inspiration to fellow students and to everyone who sees him score a touchdown at a friday night football game. Now his story is being shared across the world through Marvel Comics first braille comic book the unstoppable adonis. [applause] as you can see, hes here today with his mom veronica. They are guests of angela and i. This young man truly is unstoppable. Lets please once more recognize arizonas own super hero, adonis watt. [applause] faced with the expense of braille textbooks and specialized education needs, veronica chose to pursue adoniseducation using an esa. Hes just one example of how School Choice has helped so many families and empowered so many arizona children. Children of men and women in uniform, children with special needs and our native american population. Like every other arizona parent, Savannah James is dedicated to ensuring her child, bethany, receives a quality education. She selected a school near their home on the navajo nation. For years Hilltop School served bethany well. Imagine their surprise when they received a letter from the heavy hand of government declaring the school out of bounds and demanding repayment of their funds from their education savings account. This is an example of government losing sight of the people its supposed to serve. [applause] savannah and bethany are here today and we have a message for them. We wont stand for it and help is on the way. [applause] when it comes to whats next, we plan to focus our resources on the places it can make the most difference. Targeting the achievement gap and low income schools. Weve reduced wait lists and expanded and replicated success. In maryville, a new Vista College prep is evidence. More than 90 of their students qualify for free and reduced lunch. The school is the recipient of the prestigious blue ribbon award nationally foreclosing the closing the achievement gap. This is what equal education opportunity looks like. This is what we feedneed more of in the state of arizona. Results based funding has been one way to reward and replicate success in our best public schools. Its working. Lets expand it and continue to recognize the achievements and needs of high poverty schools where educators are doing Amazing Things to beat the odds. [applause] were also going to finally fund and fully fund the cost for low income students to take the advanced placement test just like every other arizona kid. They can earn College Credits while still in high school. And we have a proven model to scale success in our most struggling schools. Avondale Elementary School district has 70 of students residing in lowincome areas. In 2017 the superintendent didnt like what she saw on the record card. She rolled up her sleeves to turn things around. And did she deliver. By 2018 through a targeted strategy, the district had double digit growth in math and in english, triple the average growth of other arizona schools. Same results in deer valley and wickenburg. The superintendents are here today. Please join me in congratulating these school leaders. With these Proven Results and outcomes, we intend to invest more and transform more arizona schools. The idea is straightforward. Help struggling schools with tools, resources and expertise to produce better results for students. We call it project rocket. Were working with represent michelle udale to make it a reality. We owe it to the kids in these schools. Theyre waiting. Lets not let them down. [applause] we will continue to lead as the state that prioritizes our nations founders and their founding principles. For we are called to participate as citizens, not spectators. That responsibility demands knowledge and action. Today only one in four americans can name all three branches of government. 70 dont know that the constitution is the supreme law of the land. In arizona weve taken steps to ensure that the next generation is equipped to inherit our republic. Already our High School Students must pass the citizenship test before graduation. Im proposing we expect more. Start them even earlier and give our middle schoolers a chance to complete this exam because theres more to learn. As Margaret Thatcher said european nations were made by history. The United States was made by philosophy. Unique, among all nations, the United States knows precisely when and exactly why it was founded. We are blessed to have one arizonian who is the ideal of this aspirational creed. Her life is a living civics lesson and arizona is fortunate to be home to the institute that bears her name. Im talking about Justice Sandra day oconnor. Who better to hold as a model for the next generation . Thats why im calling for a day when classroom instruction will be dedicated entirely to civics. Sandra day oconnor civics celebration day. Its not enough to teach the values of our founding principles, we must demonstrate them in our daily lives. Around the country free speech and other Constitutional Rights guaranteed to the people are being assaulted or abandoned for safe spaces and trigger warnings. Some people would rather silence speech than hear an opposing view. Have they read our constitution . Do they know why america was founded . Thankfully we have three University President s, president s crow, robbins and shane, who ensure arizonas campuses are models for the rest of the country. Where the market place of ideas is alive and well and where diversity of thought and discourse are given room to grow, the arizona way. The safety of our citizens, its what keeps me up at night. As youll see in our balanced budget, we continue to put a focus on our Border Strike force to combat the influx of dangerous drugs and crime at our border. New surveillance cameras in Southern Arizona and an upgraded state of the art radio system for our Law Enforcement. Were so fortunate to have so many brave men and women guarding us 24 7. Our national guard, first responders, firefighters and our cops. They brave challenges on duty and off with courage and dignity. In december phoenix fire chief kara kulthbrenner shared the news she was diagnosed with breast cancer. With the same strength she confronts the blazing fires, she took the diagnosis head on. We are so grateful to have her here with us today. Thank you, chief, were with you. These men and women run into danger to protect us. We saw it recently, one of our own state troopers brutally attacked in tempe. Fighting for his life after a routine stop. By the grace of got trooper grant is here with us today. Hes a hero. Thank you, trooper grant. Incidents like these are reminders of the dangers Law Enforcement face every day. These are the good guys. We should do everything in our power to protect them. Thats why our budget includes funding to put body cameras on every state trooper. This is an idea backed by Law Enforcement enforcement and clear research. So lets make it happen. Theres no doubt about it, Public Safety is the most important thing we do. In correctional facilities across the state weve led to provide Second Chances to those serving their time, setting up job training workshops and partnering with employers. Since 2017, more than 3,900 of our fellow arizonians have completed Second Chance programs equipping them with the tools and skills to make a better life. More than 2,400 had a job upon release with hundreds more in programs now. We know these programs work. This year were doubling down on this successful model to give more individuals the opportunity at a better choice and a better life. The new director david chin is a former marine turned public servant. Hes dedicated his life to this noble cause and hes building on these efforts to transform or Correction System and change how we think and speak. Going forward the department will take on a new moniker, one that more clearly reflects the agencys mission. The department of corrections rehabilitation and reentry. We provided more opportunities and weve decreased the amount of people returning to prison and helped many find meaningful work. Theres another marker were going to meet this year. Were shutting down a state prison. [applause] it will enhance safety at our remaining facilities and save tax payers 274 million over the next three years. [applause] for the rest of our facilities, lets make sure theyre staffed and secure for our Correctional Officers and inmates alike. Thats why my budget will fix the locks and provide additional pay raises for our Correctional Officers on top of last years pay raises, all in the name of Public Safety. If anyone needed a reminder that here in arizona we respect the rule of law, last fall the voters of tucson demonstrated that loud and clear. There in our states second largest city, a troubling proposal to defy federal law was soundly and overwhelmingly rejected by democrats and republicans alike. It wasnt even close. And now its time for all arizonians to make their voices heard and enshrine it in our constitution. T. J. Shope has the ballot referral. This november lets give all arizona voters the opportunity to say to the rule of law and no to sanctuary cities. Over at our department of child safety our dedicated case workers have led a turnaround and safely reduced the number of children in out of home care by 4,565 kids. They reduced the average time to place a child in a foster home from a work week to same day. Its a National Model for how to help our kids. For the second year in a row our budget includes additional dollars to reward these selfless Public Servants responsible with a welldeserved raise. If you want to shut down more prisons and reduce the homelessness rate, theres no better place to start than putting our children in loving homes. Too many of our youth who age out of foster care without being adopted will experience homelessness. Its tragic and government cant solve this problem alone. We need the faithbased community, our churches, pastors, priests, nonprofits and families to play a part as well. To get more of these children into permanent loving homes, im proposing a 19 Million Investment in funding new adoptions. Our goal, keep brothers and sisters together and help children with disabilities. Well also be doubling the grandma stipend to provide needed resources to keep families together. If you need an example of someone to look to, someone who has fought for children her entire life, you dont have to look far. Arizonas blessed to be home to an interNational Leader in the fight against human trafficking. Her efforts have shed a light around the world on this dark practice and she does it with a humility and grace that is every bit Arizona Arizona she is. We have her with us today. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in recognizing cindy mccain. For those of us who have called arizona home for decades, we know what makes our state truly special. We see it every day. For those who got here just yesterday, welcome to the crackling energy of booming arizona. Were glad to have you. Here we do things a little differently. Here we believe in opportunity for all. We believe in solving the problems of today so future generations wont have to. We believe in the free market, the Free Exchange of ideas and the freedom to make your own way. We believe in life and the potential of every child, along with the dignity of every individual. We believe when we put others first and Work Together we can make a difference. Just this past friday, the four leaders of these chambers, democrat and republican, sat together on the same stage for a civil, thoughtful and honest discussion about the session in front of us. I enjoyed listening and i learned a lot. I couldnt help but think, can you imagine this ever happening in washington, d. C. . Its called statesmanship. Lets follow the example set by karen phan, David Bradley, rusty bowers and charlene fernandez. Lets demonstrate we can get things done, that the campaign can wait, that we can govern and that we can do it together. Its how we do things here. Its the arizona way. Lets get to work. Thank you and god bless
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