The state address. He talked about the state winning federal partnerships and Clean Hydrogen, microelectronics, and biotechnology manufacturing, and also discusses his goal to raise the average salary for teachers to 60,000 a year. Governor holcomb was first elected in 2016. He is term limited and cannot seek a third consecutive term in 2024. [ applause ] mr. Speaker, mr. President , madam chief justice. Lieutenant governor, members of the General Assembly, and my fellow hoosiers. It is indeed an honor and 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 continue to improve the prospects for every person that calls indiana home. Today i stand before you again and i renew that same promise until the conclusion of my assigned duty. Together, with those in this chamber, weve accomplished a lot, for sure. But there is 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 ship import is safe. But that is not what ships are billed for. In that same spirit, i do not plan to safely stay anchored in port for the next 12 months. After all, standing still is not what we are billed for any indiana. So, to frame up our time here tonight, 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 Laid by our pioneering predecessors. Already, it has enabled us to take indiana to the next level, as youve heard me call it just a few times. Thats because the indiana model seeks excellence rejecting any notion that a midwestern state would be content with mediocrity. And instead, takes giant leaps instead of baby steps. It hinges on collaboration among the public, private, and philanthropic sectors between our administration and the legislature. Across all levels of government. Tossing aside any distinction between in the and the rest. Nearly every step forward, weve made during these last seven years has follow the indiana model. A remarkable team effort, so please give yourselves that our statewide partners a big round of applause on a job well done. Now, for any state or organization, for that matter to constantly seek to improve, its imperative to know whats going on around you. Whats changed, whats changing, and what still needs to change. Lets start with whats changed in indiana over the last seven years. First, we can finally answer the tired question. There used to be ahead scratcher. What is indiana known for . Beyond great stuff like the indy 500 and larry bird and a whole lot of corn . Today, the answers abound. Were now known for advanced manufacturing. For being a top 10 state, a leader in plant, animal, and life sciences. A top convention destination. A logistics and freight hub, a top state in the nation for infrastructure, and were on the edge of collaborative r d across artificial intelligence, semiconductors, data centers, hard tech corridors, nuclear medicine, and energy. And so much more. Its no surprise that forbes ranked indiana last year as the number one state in america to start a business. And at the same time, we remain one of the lowest costof living states in the nation. Our gdp has grown by over 150 billion. Are private Sector Employment is up by 200,000 to an alltime high, while our unemployment rolls remain at historic lows. Our population is growing faster than every state we border. We paid down 4. 5 billion in dollars in debt, returned 1. 5 billion to taxpayers, all while maintaining prudent reserves to keep our aaa 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 ] and the rest of the world has taken notice, and they want in on it. Consider the recognition indiana received last year, when we were one of only three states out of all 50 that ran the table to win all three big federal partnerships. A Clean Hydrogen hub, and electronics, microelectronics hub, and a biotech manufacturing hub. Each will result in millions of new investments and thousands of good, highpaying jobs, and a position indiana to benefit disproportionately from americas renewed focus on defense related manufacturing, and a reshoring strategy. [ applause ] you want some more evidence . Consider the jawdropping 28. 7 billion in committed Capital Investment last year, which brought indiana over 50 billion in just the last two years throughout Economic Development effort. What took us 12 years before, from 2005 to 2016, we did more than that in just the last two years. Thats called indiana momentum, and weve got a lot more coming. 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 billion in capital commitments, and more than 15,000 new jobs over just the last two years. A special thanks to all of you in the General Assembly who recognized the need and provided the indiana Economic Development corporation, with the tools necessary to allow our entire state to grow, alongside our local leaders. Were proving now our communities are 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 still lantus and kokomo. Where theyre building two ev battery factories. Ultimately creating thousands of new jobs along with samsung sdis similar investment with general motors. Straight up 31 in new carlisle. All three of these total over 9 billion in new investment. Thank you mr. Kim, star plus energys newly appointed ceo. We could not be more humbled and appreciative of the 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 unity of japan and consul general of israel. Are with yr people, our friends affected byr the recent tragedy in japan consul general, our hearts are with your people, our friends, affected by the recent tragedies in japan. And consul general, please know we continue to pray for the safety and security of all those who call the holy land home, and we pray for the prospect of lasting peace. Back home in indiana, lets move on to whats changing for the better. Businesses and individuals are thriving in indiana, because we operate in a Continuous Improvement rote mode. For starters, we cut our personal income taxes again, to 3. 05 on the way down to 2. 9 . Military members will no longer pay state taxes on their military income, or pension. Our state police and Law Enforcement officials finally got the salary boost they deserve. And indianas Venture Capital ecosystem, including powerful force multiplying 250 million next level fund and elevate ventures ranks among the most active in the great lakes region. Thats why investments in innovation with global reach, for that matter, can be found in every corner of our state. Like, up in warsaw, where Zimmer Biomet developed a smart knee that automatically checks in with your dr. To huntingburg, down south, where ofs is changing the game of furniture manufacturing with the help of german robots. Two right here close in speedway, where the famed Italian Company makes hightech seats for spacex extra knots. Astronauts. And ladies and gentlemen, the positive change continues. This is the year our Graduation Rates will continue to go up, and thanks to the historic investments, this body has made, average teacher pay across the state will reach our salary goal of 60,000 a year. Thank you. This is the year well plant our one millionth tree on arbor day, ahead of schedule. This is the year well make it need to put down 280 miles of trails in all parts of our state. Making indiana a recognized trail leader. This is the year we finished connecting over 70,000 households and businesses, completing the 320 Million Investment into 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 fast, affordable internet access. This is the year, yes, it is finally here. When i 69 directly connects indianapolis to evansville. You. [laughter] you. We pled this partnership with our private sector partners, and i am just so proud and has led this partnership with our private sector partners, and i am so proud that we are approaching the final mile of construction after decades of discussion. This is the year when we finish double tracking in the south shore line between gary and michigan city. This is another big deal. This is a year our rest stops are converted into true welcome centers. This is the year we move aggressively on huge Capital Projects that have been on the drawing board gathering dust for years, including a new prison in westville, a new archives building, new crime labs, a stateoftheart Law Enforcement academy, co locating our worldclass deaf and blind schools. And building the first new state park lodge since 1939 in our state, up at potato creek state park. And this is the year when our communities start to really leverage the second round of ready funding that this assembly made possible. The first round of 500 million leveraged into 12. 1 billion, in public, private, and non private investment. Over 4 billion in housing infrastructure alone. And i am confident that a similar outcome during this next round. Actually based on what im about to reveal, i have a feeling well far exceed even our most hopeful projections. Tonight, im so proud to announce the lilly endowment. Well be making the single largest grant award in its 86 year history. 250 million to support ready 2. 0 projects focused on blight reduction, redevelopment, and arts and cultural initiatives throughout our entire state. Me thank youse to the lilly me endowment and jeanette hill, the let me offer a few esthousand more thank yous. To the lilly endowment. And jeanette hill, the president there and clay robbins, for both of your stewardship of an organization that, once again, shows why its such an essential partner to us here in indiana, in making our state a place we all want it to be for generations to come. Jeanette, thank you, thank you, thank you for being here tonight and every day forward. Along with ready 2. 0, recognizing health is wealth, our Health First Indiana program, the nations largest, most substantial new commitment to public health, will further empower indiana counties to create tailored actions. By the way, the for 75 million you all appropriated has just been distributed to the 86 counties that opted in. And i fully realize there is a long way to go, here, but lets acknowledge that were starting to make progress against drug addiction. You, in this chamber, helped create new tools, such as 385 more beds for residential addiction. For treatment. Naloxone distribution. The 988 suicide and crisis lifeline. And an online treatment finder for anyone, anytime seeking to recover. Due to these efforts and so many others, recent reporting shows statewide Drug Overdose deaths dropped statewide 5 , yearoveryear. This is progress. And a special thank you to chief justice rush, and our judiciary. For also making Transformational Technology and administrative improvements in connecting with all those we serve who are trying to, and working so hard to restore their lives. Thank you, chief justice. [ applause ] now, alongside the key roles that are public in private partners play, its the every day citizens who step up and improve the lives of others that the most essential to the flywheel effect of the indiana model. For instance, a few years back i attended an event at indianas war memorial. A young lady introduced herself, and shared an observation that immediately rang true. The license plate we offer our gold star 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 gold star family play. Several months later, thanks to her willingness to collaborate with our bureau of motor vehicles, a much more powerful tribute exists. Laurens everlasting contribution will appropriately honor those who gave us their sons and daughters, their husbands and wives, and 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 is what real citizenship looks like, up close and personal. [ applause ] and finally, in an attitude of gratitude, lets continue to live up to the iand finally, in an attitud 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 to graduate from high school. We must work with our public universities to make college even more accessible, by creating more threeyear and associate degree options. We must expand our childcare workforce to help more working moms and dads in indiana. We must update the state Disaster Relief fund to make it easier for local communities to access the funds they need. And we must build better awareness of our states next level jobs programs. There are so many of them, and well do that through a campaign were calling one stop to start. Helping people obtain one of the many highpaying, life changing jobs available, right now, throughout our state. I ask for your partnership in making these things happen. We must never forget how much the work of Good Governance matters to those who sent us here in the first place. [ a light on many other exams of how the indiana model isexams 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 foi must mention a 2024 event that 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] my friends, a new year brings about reflection and preparation for whats next. I only wish our buddy henry were here with us to do just that. Term limited, here are my promises to you for 2024. My administration will not be a 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. And i will continue to listen as i have 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 enough to need a smart meal or two, i will regard the privilege of having served as 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] [applause]