Thank you, thank you. Thank you, very much. Thank you , thank you, mr. Speaker for those kind words. I appreciate the recognition. Its an honor to be here. Members of the General Assembly, constitutional officers, members of the judiciary, members of the concert core, and my fellow georgians. Later this year the people of the state once again fulfill their civic duty and choose who occupies these seeds of service and will determine what course america takes in the years to come. As they have in years past, when they go to the ballot box, they will see a stark difference between georgia and our nations capital. They will see what we have achieved together at the state level to make georgia a greater place to live, work, and raise a family. They will see the hardships washington, d. C. Has brought into every home and placed on every Kitchen Table across our state. Congress has become synonymous with runaway spending, bloated budgets, job killing regulations, gridlock and partisanship, and elected representatives of both parties who are more interested in getting famous on cable news than delivering results for the american people. All the while, across the nation, over 60 of households are living paycheck to paycheck. Over 8. 4 million americans are working two jobs to make ends meet. Mortgage rates are the highest ive seen in the generation and while the rate of inflation may have fallen, high prices on everything from groceries to rent have not. In fact, it cost americans 11,000 more per year to maintain the same quality of life that they had just a few short years ago. For the hardworking men and women of this country, paying 11,000 more a year is not a choice between the luxuries of life. For too many people, thats the decision between putting food on the table for their family, making their car payment, buying clothes for their kids, or going further into debt. For a recent graduate, its about whether you can afford to get your own place and pay off your student loans. For a single mom, its a decision about taking a job, a new job and a new career that pays better but does not offer childcare. For a family of four d, can they make ends meet when saving for kids college and trying to pay their mortgage . For our seniors, are they able to stretch a fixed income to meet their basic needs . These are the people washington, d. C. Has left behind because for every challenge our nation faces the federal response is to spend more, regulate more, tax more, and come up with another government program. Instead of empowering hard working americans to innovate, create, and see greater prosperity, their answer is simply more government. The good news is in georgia we have chosen a different path because we realize the success of our state does not rely on government, but the prosperity of our people. Washington, d. C. Forgot a long time ago that its not the brilliance of politicians or the good intentions of a new program that make our nation great. If the resolve, the ingenuity, and the character of the american people. Those were the hardworking georgians we heard from on the campaign trail. As a family, we heard their stories, their struggles, and their hopes for a brighter future. As you know, that was truly a Family Affair and i want to thank marty, jared, lucy, and amy porter for being there every step of the way. Thank you. Please. I also appreciate my mom who yal i also appreciate nimy mom, who you all recognize, my sister and her husband are here with us today and we are honored by their presence. My commitment to the people of our state was very simple. I promised to put hardworking georgians first, Fund Priorities like education, Public Safety, and healthcare, but keep government efficient, responsible, and accountable. The federal government may have abandoned those principles, but here in georgia, thanks to the partnership between my administration and the General Assembly, we have delivered real results for the people of our state, ahead of schedule and under budget. Thanks to a strong economy, the conservative fiscal management of state revenue, weve provided nearly 5 million of direct relief to taxpayers in tax refunds, gas tax suspension, homestead tax exemptions, and more. [applause] [applause] you all were a big part you were all a big part of that. Despite unprecedented challenges , weve maintained a aaa bond rating while celebrating the creation of more than 171,000 new jobs and roughly 74. 5 billion of investment in every corner of the state over the last five years. Unlike a lot of blue states, these are private sector jobs, not growing the ranks of government and we are not done, yet. Last month, i joined the lieutenant governor, the speaker, and others, to announce a plan to speed up implementation of the largest estate tax cut in history. With your support, i look forward to legislation that decreases our state income tax to 5. 39 starting this year. T. This matters. It matters because it represents savings of 3 billion for georgia taxpayers over the next 10 years. Mr. Speaker, lieutenant governor, of President Biden hires tens of thousands of new irs agents, my vote is we keep cutting taxes here in georgia. ] the path that georgia has taken over the last five years the path of that georgia has taken over the last five years has led to record job growth, historic investment in communities in blue ridge, 5 million in tax relief and enough funds saved to operate State Government for months in an emergency, not days. Thats the choice for georgians this november and i feel confident they will vote to keep georgia moving in the right direction once again. To answer the question, the state of our state is strong, growing, and prosperous because we trust our citizens more than we trust the government. [applause] georgia is succeeding because we have charted our own path, rejected the failed policies of washington, d. C. , and worked together to put ours listens first but i believe the worst thing we can do is call it a day and coast through what is sure to be another contentious election year. Weve accomplished so much despite unprecedented times and challenges because we have not gotten distracted from doing the job we were sent to do. Like i mentioned in my second state of the state address, we stayed true to the example, being committed to our great work and seeing the results. Its no secret that georgia is growing. New jobs are headed our way almost on a daily basis is. Existing businesses are looking to expand, companies from all over the world look to our state to locate their next headquarters. With growth comes the need for more trained workers to build these good paying jobs in a rapidly changing labor environment. Thats why i was proud to unveil this program at the workforce summit. The largest direct College Admissions program in the nation, already doing an incredible job with the schools that meet their needs. 10,000 students have artie met their match and we will keep working to reach every High School Senior in georgia so that they know there is a Higher Education path open to them right here, no matter their circumstances. [applause] speaking of education, my speaking of education, my amended 2024 budget and fiscal year 2025 Budget Proposals doubled down on continued and his four historic support, allocated, republicans and democrats alike support this record investment in our students and i want to thank all of you for that strong bipartisan achievement and its important to remember that increased funding does not guarantee greater success. As a Small Business owner for almost 40 years, i believe that like many of you, competition and the free market drives innovation. At the end of the day, the result in a better product for the consumer. When it comes to education, the same rentables hold true. Over the last few years, theres been a great deal of debate around different proposals to expand options that best fits their individual needs. Many members have worked hard on this issue. What each of these terms fails to mention is the child. [applause] at the end of athe day, our first and foremost consideration should be the future of that student. Our job is not to decide for every family but to support them in making the best choice for their family. I believe that we have run out of next years, and i firmly believe that we can take in all of the above approach to education whether it is public, private, homeschooling, charter, or otherwise. Its time for all parties to get around the table and agree on the best path forward to provide our kids the best Educational Opportunities we can because that is what we were elected to do. Do. So that end, my office and i to that end, we look forward to working with the members in the leadership to get a bill passed and signed into law this session. Our students and teachers deserve a Safe Learning environment no matter theres a code. Ive had the opportunity to hold roundtable discussions with educators and for intendants. We heard frequently that our schools were in need of Additional Resources to enhance security and since 2019 we provided more than hundred and 85 million to secure the safety and wellbeing of our students and teachers. I am proposing we continue this effort by making School Security funding permanent and my Budget Proposal will go to School Districts for School Safety enhancements. Schools will determine how to use this money, for personnel like School Resource officers or for technology improvements. This is more significant because it will enable their way. I hope to see strong support to keep our kids and schools safe. [applause] since being sworn in as 83rd governor the top priority of my administration has b since being sworn in as your 83rd governor, the top priority of my administration has been safety and security of our communities. We have made great progress and from the department of Public Safety crime suppression unit, to the first ladies Grace Commission and the attorney general prosecution unit and the School Security measures ive just mentioned. Weve not wavered in our commitment to strengthening Public Safety, but the state cannot do it alone. Of the last two years weve had strong partners, two of these gentlemen are here with us today and i wanted to take a moment. To thank you for your partnership. While the mayor and i come from different Political Parties and dont agree on everything, we do believe in the importance of reducing crime. Bipartisan majorities, the mayor and myself, agree on the critical need for the completion of the atlanta Public SafetyTraining Center. This facility [applause] this facility will provide our Law Enforcement this facility will provide our Law Enforcement officers, firefighters, with additional First Responders, with tools and knowledge and skills needed to keep themselves and our community safe. One of our brave Public Safety officers is here with us. A year ago this week is dedicated trooper was shot and severely wounded near the site of a future Training Center. He spent weeks in the hospital fighting for his life. He endured multiple surgeries and spent the better part of the year in recovery as his family stood strong beside him. I was honored when he gave me one of my most prized possession possessions. He had this coin on him when he was shot that day and at the constant reminder of the price paid by men and women like him all over the state to keep our children, our homes, our businesses, and our streets safe. Will you please stand with your wife and let us thank you for your service . Service. [cheers and applause] thank you to the thank you to the entire family for your service, your bravery, and the sacrifices you made for us. We are also joined in the gallery by brave men who rendered lifesaving aid to trooper parish on site and got him to safety. They represent some of the finest from the department of Public Safety, the department of natural resources, and our ems. Would you please stand and let us thank you for your bravery on this day . That day. We are so grateful we are so grateful for you all. I dont claim to speak for anyone else in this chamber today, but this decision is simple for me and my family. As long as i near governor there will be no gray area or political doubletalk. We will support our Law Enforcement officers and support our firefighters and our First Responders and the atlanta Public SafetyTraining Center needs to be built, period. Period. [cheers and applause] article 1, section 1 paragraph 2 of the georgia article one, section 1, paragraph two of the georgia constitution states that this is the paramount duty of government and shall be impartial and complete. To fulfill that paramount duty, we must do more than show our support for Law Enforcement in words. We have to show it through actions. That is why last year, thanks to the work of the General Assembly, i was proud to sign a budget that included the 6000 pay raise for Law Enforcement officers. That pay raise was a recognition of the contributions of men and women make as they put their lives on the line day in and day out. I look forward to working working with each of you to provide another pay raise for state Law Enforcement. [applause] within my budget propose forral or pay incre within my Budget Proposal are pay increases of an additional 3000 for state patrol officers, Correctional Officers and state Law Enforcement agencies. These investments not only serve as a renewal of our commitment, but also support our ongoing retention and recruitment efforts. I am also urging the General Assembly to complete what we started last year and give final passes to the peace officer loan repayment program. Despite what some may say, we need more police officers, not fewer. [applause] this year will also be this year, we are continuing efforts to combat Human Trafficking thanks to the leadership of the greatest first lady in the country, mary can. Thanks to her work, and members of both chambers, georgia has gone from being known as a Human Trafficking destination to be known as the leader in going after traffickers and supporting victims. Under the first ladies leadership and with overwhelming support from both chambers, we have passed and signed into law eight pieces of legislation that go after those who work in this enterprise while supporting the victims. Our efforts have enabled the unit to investigate 369 cases of Human Trafficking since its and for attorney general Human Trafficking prosecution to secure 32 convictions while assisting rescue of over 129 victims since it launched but we we. [applause] but we still have work to do and marty and i are looking forward working with you this education to keep up that fight. Five years into my administration when it comes to health care, we made enormous strides in lowering cost, expanding access and incentivizing more Healthcare Providers to give care. We began this work with the passage of the patients first act in 2019 and since then we have seen strong results. In 2019 no counties in guillermo had more than 2 Health Insurance carriers. Today 87 of georgia counties have 3 or more carriers and thanks to georgia access and the reinsurance program, it has groan from 460,000 to over 1. 2 million georgians. Georgia access is also saving hardworking family more and more in their wallets and all we reduced premiums by average of 11 across the state. That represents an average annual premium reduction of almost 929 million a year. In Rural Counties where premium prices were the least affordable when i took office, georgia access reduced premium payments, premiums by average of 29 and while some in the media refuse to acknowledge the significant progress, we will continue to support policies that work for georgians not political narratives because the fact is that for individuals and families struggling to make ends meet lower insurance cost and more choices lead to better care that they can actually afford. And because and because weve made policy choices and budgeted conservatively, prioritize innovation and efficiency, we are now able to make other important investments in the health and wellbeing of hardworking georgians. That includes our efforts in Mental Health. Two years ago as you know i was proud to sign into law a fitting capstone to the late speaker david years of service in this chamber and one that leaves the lasting legacy. Up with of the most visible examples of the legacy 988 crisis hotline campaign conducted by the department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities last year. Thanks to commissioner kevin tanner and his team more georgians than ever before are accessing services that help them when they need to turn their lives around for better. To enhance this the program further, my Budget Proposal calls for an increase of 205 million for deviates dd and other entities that address Mental Health. This new funding will enable dba dd and increase the number of beds throughout the state and further crisis intervention resources in all communities and improve the quality of Mental Health services overall. Once passed, we will be spending 1. 6 billion on Mental Health more than ever before. Im proud of what these and other agencies are doing to help fellow georgians and keeping us the best state to live, work and raise a family. As we speak all across georgia, there are men and women working hard to keep our neighborhoods safe, attract new jobs and industries to communities in need and teaching a whole generation that will one day occupy these roles and much more. They have remained committed and hardworking during unprecedented challenges over the last five years and im so proud of everything that they have accomplished for our citizens. It is no secret that most State Government jobs pay less than privatesector opportunities in the same line of work. But for many of our employees do it because they feel a sense of Public Service and they want our state to succeed but for State Government to stay efficient and stay ahead of georgias continued growth we must be able to attract and retain employees who perform the vital important jobs. That is why my Budget Proposal provides a pay increase for all state employees including our teachers. This will build on the historic raises we provide of educators over the recent years and increase every state workers pay by 4 . My proposal also rewards those who gave decades of their lives and careers to serving others by allocating 500 million to sure up fund ensuring our state [applause] this will ensure that our state keeps its promises for retirees and stay on financial footing. Instead of expanding the size an cope of government, we are putting state dollars to work in targeted fighter ways to recruit, retain and thank employees from Corrections Officers to case workers. By doing so we are continuing our efforts to wisely use every penny taxpayers send us from state Agency Personnel to our schools, Public Safety and the healthcare marketplace. As we lack across america theres no doubt that we are at a cross roads from crushing inflation and dysfunction in washington to the crisis at our southern border and unrest overseas, these are, indeed, trying times but i believe we have an opportunity here in georgia, an opportunity to high light a different path, one of the brilliant principles of americas found asking the roll of the states for them to be laboratories of democracy and carry out the will of the people. Our founders didnt believe the states should always look to the federal government for answers and by judging current comparison i dont think we would have much to the learn. In georgia, we back the blue and crack down on Violent Crime and gangs and put the safety of our communities ahead of partisan political agendas. We celebrate the free market instead of using the heavyhanded government. We Work Together across party lines on more issues than not and most importantly, we put our people first. In an election year, i dont expect all of us to agree on every issue. Every district represented under this gold dome is different and each of you with the unique set of issues to address. Over the next 36 legislative days there will be passionate debate, there will be disagreements, there will be tough votes, there will be long nights and maybe even some short tempers. Bring but in the middle of all of that, i also that we also remember georgia is different for a year, that our success is not an accident but the result of a resilient people who elected their leaders to keep State Government efficient, responsible and accountable. In georgia we believe the American Dream will always provide our people greater prosperity than the government. The state of our state is strong, growing and full of opportunity, lets use this session to keep it this way. Thank you all, may god bless you and may god continue to bless the great state of georgia. [cheers and applause]