Tooknor Eric Holcomb Office following the resignation of mike pence. This is 30 minutes. Gov. Holcomb it is an honor to stand before you today to discuss the state of our state and the work that we will do this session to make life better for all of our citizens. While you have given me the privilege of this podium, i applaud all of you for the work that you have done to help indiana grow and prosper. All while minding the store and ensuring the fiscal house is in order. Thank you to the collective talent and energy of our fellow hoosiers, along with your dedication and that of my two predecessors in this office, i can say unequivocally that the state of our state is sound. [applause] gov. Holcomb as i said in my inauguration, together we have a special charge of leading indian into the third century. We need to think not about today, but about the years to come. We need to act with boldness and courage as all of our Current Issues and prepare indiana for the everchanging future. As we undertake this journey, our secret weapon is the hoosier pioneering spirit. It has been proven over the last 200 years. The ingenuity, determination, common sense that enables us to not only overcome any challenge , but also to continually find better ways of doing things. It is that spirit, that reason that indiana stands today as one , of the top five business states in the country, and there are more hoosiers working today more than any other time in our history. [applause] gov. Holcomb these facts are ends in and and of themselves. They tell a telling story about the potential for more possibilities. There are opportunities for every hoosier. Because we had created the best business clients in the country. Businesses a dozen years ago were going to austin, boston, or Silicon Valley now are coming to indiana now, because our cost of living is low and the quality is high. This is great news for hoosier workers. To paraphrase a politician, complacency is not an option. Leadership is all about continually moving forward and seeing ways to improve. We know the world will not stand still. Those who can not keep up will be left behind. For all our growing strength in high tech, too many businesses are finding ways to grow. Our economy is driven by knowledge and skill, too many users are not prepared for the jobs of the future. Not just potential scientists and engineers, also coders, mechanics, welders. In addition over the next 10 years we will need to find one million new skilled workers to replace 700,000 baby boomers. Plus the 300,000 new jobs we will have to create. We can take genuine pride in being the crossroads of america. Roads need upkeep. Hoosiers and hoosier businesses, they require stronger connections than ever before. At the exact time when we create when we cannot lose the talents of a single citizen. Too many hoosiers are caught in strangling and the grip of drug and illness. To ensure that every hoosier has the opportunity to live up to their potential, right here in indiana, our challenge is clear. We need to put a strain on business and look at our task. We need to look at indiana and taken to the next level. I am proposing a set up, proposing a set of transformational priorities. My five pillars aimed at doing just that. Most will require longterm commitment and focus. Some will require new resources and a new way of doing business. All of us need to start now. For 2017 we must one, create and cultivate a strong diverse economy to ensure that indiana remains a magnet for jobs. We need to fund a longterm bridges plan that is the greatest advantage of our location. Three, we need to create a 21st century skilled workforce. Four, we need to combat the drug drug epidemic. Five create a wonderful government service. [applause] gov. Holcomb lets start with strengthening and diversifying our economy. I believe that is the linchpin to improving hoosier lives. Everything is a little bit easier if you have a job. As we begin our third century, we see jobs and entire industries based on knowledge and technology that is likely going to be trading with germany as we are with south dakota. This really hit home to me. I visited with london, the biggest user of indiana court. Indiana corn. This is the biggest complex in north america. And rolls royce, which makes more of its products here in indianapolis that anywhere else. By the way, they just invested another 600 million here. [applause] gov. Holcomb these three ceos all separately shared the same thing with me. Each day, they wake up with a worldview. They have to decide which markets to grow and invest in. Our job is to make sure they are making those decisions. They see indiana as their sweet spot. That said, the heart and soul of our economy is still small business. Lucas oil did not start as a stadium. He was a truck driver from trucks kepte breaking down. He created a better one. He sold that out of the trunk of his car. Sharon nagel had custard shops, they have doubled employment and revenue. Reggie jones started out working in mcdonalds. Now he owns seven of them. Sunny beck started driving a tractor, when he was five. [laughter] gov. Holcomb he went all in on a new technology called hybrid. Last year it was chosen as the Business Leader of the year by the indiana chamber. [applause] gov. Holcomb so the question is, what will it take to make indiana even more of a job magnet. We will continue to manage our finances with the discipline that we have shown over the past 12 years. That means passing another honestly balanced budget. And maintaining the rainy day funds. That is why i support a balanced budget. Balanced budget amendment. [applause] gov. Holcomb this sets us apart from many other states. Keeps us in a good position to Economic Future downturn. It requires businesses to stay here in indiana. Another thing that sets our state apart is our low cost of energy. Indiana runs on coal. Lets apply technology find new ways to unleash this abundant source of power by burning coal cleanly and keeping hoosiers employed and factories humming. [applause] gov. Holcomb at the same time we will grow our 21st century economy by investing and nurturing entrepreneurship. Technology pursuits. I propose a plan to make available 1 billion over the next 10 years. That way we can make indiana the capital of innovation and not innovation and entrepreneurship. This will include the next level indiana fund. The new Grant Program that will support innovation and entrepreneurship among Higher Education and in our local communities. I will ask you to continue to support the regional cities and Regional Cities Initiative by investing 4 million more this budget. This will keep things going that does not receive funding in the programs first round. I have talked with the leaders in the regions that we have funded so far including the bend, fortouth wayne, it is bringing local leaders together. Regardless of political persuasion. To coordinate and a line and and align their plane as they have never done before. Every job with state funds is getting 14 more, there is a private philanthropic community. [applause] gov. Holcomb my second filler is a sustainable plan to have our roads sustained over the next 20 years. Grow to 80 in 24 hours. For indiana, the crossroads of america is more than a model, tto. Than a mo it is our mission. I will work with you. To establish a plan that preserves what we have. It finishes commitments we have made. It will invest in new products that insures indiana will remain the crossroads of america. These include projects in every quadrant of our state. Upgrades of u. S. 30 from near fort wayne and i 70 and i65. Completing i69 from border to border. When it comes to paying for these projects i am open to a menu of options. The fact is existing sources of revenue are just keeping up. I am believer in every time you ask a taxpayer for a dollar, you better be darn sure you need it or use it effectively for affective purposes. Here is the case for we asked hoosiers to invest a little more to meet the need, the return will be worth it. For them, the community, and for our economy. In addition to the investment, in roads and bridges. We must invest in other Infrastructure Projects that will further separate us from the competition. That is why i am asking you to authorize funding to strengthen our connection to the country and the world. This excludes double traction double tracking the south shore line. This will improve access to hoosiers traveling northwest indiana and chicago. Incentives for more direct flights that connect hoosiers to national and international markets. These will save us both time and money. These are also a critical part of our efforts, to attract talent and business so we can mutually grow. As i think about the future, that also includes a fourth water port in southeastern indiana. That will help accelerate Economic Development and play to our strength in that beautiful part of our state. We also have the responsibility to maintain and strengthen our basic infrastructure. It is critical to our communities and our people. Yet, showing the string of age. This may not be sexy, it just has to be done. We will pay special attention to our water needs, and ensure that we have a plan that is efficient and sustainable and affordable as we move forward. [applause] gov. Holcomb my third pillar is to develop a 21st century skilled and ready workforce. Our plans need to be comprehensive. Beginning with an Education System that is every child is strong start all the way through the Training Programs that ensure our citizens have the skills they need. Therefore we must make sure that our resources are properly that ouro make sure skill set for businesses is created. I look forward to working with representative houston to develop and create an reconfigure that workforce. All of those Development Programs so the needs of today and tomorrow are satisfied. It all starts way before that first interview. Our most Vulnerable Children deserve a fair start to. I call for us to double our investment in prekindergarten to 20 million annually. Math, sciencehat are critical for 21st century jobs. Not just thcs but in growing number of jobs in key sectors of our economy. The many statewide efforts to boost cleaning case in often independent with one another. We will invest 1 million each year to lead a statewide effort, to better coordinate k12 stem indiana. Throughout time, more than half of hoosier schools lack wifi. To improve digital conductivity, we will increase state funding by 1 million annually to enable more schools to participate in the federal programs. Our needs extend well beyond the classroom. Right now, there are 30,000 unfilled jobs in indiana and some 2 million hoosiers do not have an education and skills needed for todays jobs. We will invest some 2 million in this budget to create regional jobs to help current workers complete credentials and certificates in high demand fields, so they can enter the workplace, sometimes reentered the workplace and worst skilled and highly paid positions. I propose the superintendent of public instruction become a position appointed to the governor, starting in 2021. [applause] gov. Holcomb education is a key to our states future. I have been committed to the notion that as the states chief exec of, the governor should set education priorities and be held accountable for the results. I have Great Respect for our new superintendent and i look forward [applause] gov. Holcomb and i look forward to working closely with her over the next four years, but regardless of party, the governor should be able to choose his or her key education partner. My fourth filler is to attack the drug epidemic. This is a problem that is taking and the numbers toll across the country and indiana has not escape the pain. Since 2000, death from drug 500 . Ses have increased we are 15th in the country and overdose fatalities. This epidemic causes ripple affects with devastating impacts on our children, families, our cities and towns, how schools and government agencies, Health Care Systems and Health Care Costs for each of us and our economy. Typical hoosier fashion, we have heroes on front lines saving lives everyday. They include the Public Health nurses who run Syringe Exchange programs in nine indiana counties. One is here with us tonight. Thank you for allete thank you for your unwavering service for those who are battling addiction. [applause] gov. Holcomb that is why we would give counties the authority to establish Syringe Exchange programs to ensure the people making the decisions are those closest to the problem. We need to do more. Much more. Thise going to attack problem on all fronts, prevention, treatment and enforcement. Creationhis month, the of a Senior Executive reporting directly to me to oversee efforts to deal with this epidemic and i am pleased that jim mcclellan, the former ceo has agreed to join our team. I cannot think of anyone who has a better set of skills and experience to fill this critical position. We plan to limit the amount of controlled substances, prescriptions and refills, enhance penalties for those who commenced who commit pharmacy robbery. Fight that we can and must when if we are going to if we are going to take indiana to that next level. [applause] my fifth and final color is to provide Great Government Service and great value to taxpayers. Hoosiers deserve to know that their tax dollars are being used responsibly and efficient lead. I am going to insist that all of our agencies will be accountable for the programs and services are providing. We will measure our progress so that we know if we are providing the service that hoosiers expect and deserve. One fundamental obligation of government is to take care of those who serve and protect us. We are going to give welldeserved pay raises to the indiana state police. [applause] gov. Holcomb and every hoosier understands the special place that veterans have an indiana. Our state has sent more than our fair share of National Guard troops to iraq and afghanistan. We are so honored to have the leader of our indiana National Guard with us tonight. [applause] gov. Holcomb we will honor our veterans and their service by exempting their pensions from state income tax which will make it easier for them to stay here and attract other patriots to our great state in their post military careers. These five pillars [applause] these five pillars are where our team will focus every day on ways to take our state to the next level, to make indiana the very best place you can live or play and stay. I invite all of you and i mean all of you to join me on this mission. My time in the navy taught me that each person is vitally important to fill the mission. If you know you can count on the person on your left and on your right. I will continue to reach out to everyone with ideas that can lift all hoosiers, including those who may not always agree on everything, but are willing to find opportunities to solve problems and move our straightforward. I will leave you with two quotes from one of the greatest hoosiers and greatest americans whoever was, abraham lincoln, a man that i have studied for many years and is one of my true heroes. It was lincoln who said, the best way to predict your future is to create it. As we lead indiana and our third century, even as he sustained many things we are doing well, lets not be afraid to think big, be bold and act with courage. Commitment said, is what transforms a promise into reality. Colleagues, you have long shown your commitment to the state we all love. To you and my fellow hoosiers, i pledge my full commitment to the work of transforming these mises into reality, it reality, and taking indiana to. He next level god bless you and god bless indiana. [applause] thank you. [applause] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2017] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] this session is now adjourned. Monday night on the communicators, Consumer Technology association resident, gary shapiro, talks about the Major Technology issues facing congress and the administration. He talks about the latest Innovative Products he found at the Consumer Electronics show in las vegas last month. Thes interviewed by Technology Reporter for bloomberg. Everything is really connected. It is the benefit of being connected and getting information and data, making our lives better and increasing our food production, i water, as well as our transportation and health care