Comcast supports cspan is a Public Service along with these other Television Providers giving you a front row seat to democracy. In his state of the state address, rhode island governor dan mckee remarked on his states decline in and upon, boosted tourism and increased film production. He also listed as a Top Priorities improving education, raising income and investing in transportation infrastructure. [applause] thank you. Thank you all. Thank you so much. We have got a lot to show tonight so lets get down to business. Mr. Speaker, mr. President , members of the legislature, congressman seth magaziner, thank you for being here. General officers, chief justice and members of the judiciary, municipal leaders, members of my cabinet, and my fellow Rhode Islanders who are watching at home, including my mom willa,g and i want to thank everyone for always asking how my mom is doing. Good evening. When i started thinking about this years state of the state address, i thought back to the first inaugural speech i made in march of 2021. Rhode island was in a time of significant change. We were faced with many w challenges and what felt like endless unknowns. At that time, i asked my fellow Rhode Islanders to join me to come together as one team and meet that moment head on. On that day, i shared something i used to tell the players i coached in basketball. The team i coached was called the rhode island shooting stars. They were a group of young men from all different walks of life, family situations, ands, backgrounds, and no one thought they could succeed. They were underestimated as a team and as individuals. But through hard work and dedication, they did compete, and they did succeed. Ill have more to share about their success later. But throughout the teamscc journey, i always reminded them, talented individuals do thei best. But the best teams, the very best teams, are built when talented individuals use their skills to help others do their very best. When i became governor, i believed that rhode island couli be better than just a good team. I knew we could be one of the very best. Over the last three years, weve risen to that challenge. Weve shown that its our turn. That we can compete. That we will compete. And that if we work together, all we can do is succeed. Tonight, im here to cheer on our home team and share our game plan for Rhode Islands future. I have never been more confident that the state of our state is strong and getting stronger every single day because of thee team thats doing the work in all 39 cities and towns. [applause] in the end its about the work that we get done. And although i dont have as much time to be on the Basketball Court these days, im enjoying my new role as coach of Team Rhode Island. And why wouldnt i be . Together, as one team, weve made so much progress over the last few years. Heres some quick hits from our record, a record and share wih her speaker and members of the General Assembly. We reached the lowest Unemployment Rate in rhode Island History. [applause] 98 of our schools have improved attendance this year. 13,000 fewer students are chronically absent this year. [applause] we have a Record Number of jobs at quonset. Our states fiscal outlook was upgraded. Were ranked second best in the nation for Young Workers seeking a job. And were ranked in the top 10 best states for raising a family. [applause] theres more work ahead, but tonight is about the people who are doing the work to make all this progress happen. Last year, we set a challenge for rhode island to reach massachusetts studento achievement levels by 2030. Were doing this by improving 3i main areas, ricas scores, student attendance, and fafsa completion. When we set that goal, i told a story about a painter who wanted to paint the pfect sunrise. Every day, the painter would get ready to start, then hed think, this sunrise is beautiful, but maybe tomorrow will be better. Long story short, he never got it done. Last year, i said, when it comew to improving Rhode Islandsde education system, we cant be like that painter. We cant wait. And the good news is we havent. 38 out of 39 cities and towns have joined this effort that were calling learn365ri. [applause] its a commitment to prioritize learning in our communities. A simple concept, every homes. Every day learning matters. Weve built a remarkable statewide team whos doing the work on education. And within our administration, we have experienced staffio leading the way. Education commissioner angelica infantegreen, who was recentlyw appointed by the Biden Administration to serve on their National Assessment governing board. Ti thank you, commissioner. [applause] postsecondary commissioner shannon gilkey, who has over 15 years of service in education, with 10 of those in higher ed. And he is reimagining our state schools. Thank you, shannon. [applause] and jeremy chiappetta, our new Senior Advisor on education with my office who has firsthand experience as an educator, a principal, and a certified superintendent. [applause] and theyre not alone in this effort. Last year, under the leadershi of bob walsh, a nonprofit callea always learning rhode island was formed to support our learn365ri efforts. To provide guidance to the leaders. To date, theyve raised over half a Million Dollars with the help of the local Business Community and civic leaders. Im proud that my wife susan, a retired teacher, is joining thei team as an honorary chair of b that board. [applause] we know that students who attend school regularly perform, on average, about 20 points better on reading and math than those who are chronically absent, thats why attendance matters. This school year, our work to dramatically improve attendance is already having a positive impact. Si i want to recognize alejandro, a second grader from Webster Elementary School in providence, who is here with us tonight. In kindergarten and first grade, he was chronically absent, however, he turned things around and just received his first perfect attendance award. Alejandro, keep up the great work. [applause] wonderful. L. And bella is here tonight. Shes a student at nowell academy. Is because of circumstances beyond her control, last year, bella was chronically absent. However, she made the commitment to improve her attendance and this year, shes on track and no longer chronically absent. Bella, rhode island is proud of you. Please stand up and let us recognize you as well. [applause] and that story keeps on going. With with us tonight is alondra, a senior at Central Falls high school and a member of our chronic absenteeism workinger group. Big way, bella. Thank you so much. We appreciate your leadership. [applause] look, were serious about improving ricas scores and closing the gap between rhode island and massachusetts by 2030. Rhode island began to move the began to move the needle this year and we want to ensure that progress will continue. Thats why my budget will propose 15 million for math and english Language Arts coaching for students in professional development for teachers to help us meet the goal ahead of us. Lets get this done for our students. [applause] when it comes when it comes to education we are moving ahead as one team with strong educational leaders in the General Assembly, like representative joe mcmara. Joe is here, and lawson, and that Team Includes our municipal leaders, our teachers, superintendents, principals, local aft and any Union Leaders like frank flynn and mary barton who are with us tonight. Thank you for being on Team Rhode Island. [applause] now, were asking all rhode island families, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, guardians to join our team and get in the game because it matters that in every home, every day learning matters. This is my third state of the state address as governor. But my first as a grandfather. And while my granddaughter, mabel james, isnt quite old to be here tonight and just like general callaghans new grandchild, by the way, congratulations, general. [applause] so, mabel james is not here with us here tonight and she remind me why im here. She reminds me of why youre here. She reminds me why everyone thats listening in the state of rhode island is on board. Because we all want a rhode island thats better for our kids, for our grandkids, for the next generation and the one after that. We want to ensure rhode island is a place they want to call home and a place they can afford to call home. And last years state of the state we set a goal on education. This year, were going to set a goal to raise per capita income by a minimum of 20,000 by the year 2030. [applause] just think, just think how much housing insecurity and Food Insecurity we could address as a state if we doubled down and worked to raise per capita income across rhode island helping every family in our state. And just like we did with our education goals, within the next 100 days, we all roll out a game plan for raising incomes with the help of the executive interest of legions, cities and towns and ed, an economist and professor at bryant university. Later this week ill be submitting my budget for the General Assembly. The budget will prioritize programs and initiatives that will help us raise the incomes of our fellow Rhode Islanders while controlling recurring costs. Well continue the fiscal discipline we have shown over the past two years using one time funds for one Time Investments and budgeting within our means. So, we wont be forced to revise our budgets as other states are and make disruptive mid year cuts. [applause] our budget our budget will make key investments in education, Small Business and Rhode IslandsHealth Care Systems without raising any broadbased taxes. [applause] i happen to think thats worth applause. The good news, we dont have to start from scratch. Thanks to President Biden and our congressional delegation led by senator jack reed, rhode island has secured historic amounts of federal funds. Congressman, on behalf of rhode island, thank you, to you and your colleagues for securing these funds. Congressman langavin, those dollars are put together for unprecedented pipelines and projects that will put people to work in good paying jobs and help raise the incomes across our state. The impact, an impact that will be felt for decades to come. In addition to good paying jobs, we must assure that rhode island is an affordable place to live and we must ensure that our young families can purchase their first homes and there are nurses and Public Safety workers, our laborers, our teachers can give in the community that they work in. For far too long, rhode island has had one of the lowest Housing Production rates in the nation. Thats why our administration proposal, and im grateful for the General Assembly for approving over a quarter billion dollars in investments and housing in 2022. And additional [applause] and an additional 71 Million Dollars in housing in the last years budget. In sum, since ive been governor, weve allocated nearly a half a billion dollars to housing. And while building doesnt happen overnight, we continue to see signs of progress. Under our leadership of housing stephen prior we already have 1600 homes in the pipeline with more on their way and thanks to our down payment assistance program, were helping over 1500 firsttime home buyers, like the cruz family, who are with us tonight. [applause] i like it. Juan and emlynn and their two sons moved into their first home in warwick using our down payment system. I was there to welcome them. Their son gave me a little sea shell. That meant something to him that he was walking into the first home. And he gave me another little gift tonight so thank you so much. I want to congratulate them on their new home and for choosing rhode island. Its important that we recognize that Home Ownership is a key to creating generational wealth. In addition to new housing tools passed last year, the budget ill propose will call for 100 million Housing Production bond on the ballot. This would be the largest Housing Production bond in our states history. And were going to ensure that, if approved by the voters, these dollars will create more inventory and help put more young people on a path to Home Ownership in our state. [applause] because we know that Home Ownership for everyone in this room is one of the top ways to build generational wealth, so lets get that done. We know that states across the country are dealing with issues in their Health Care Systems, hospitals are facing Financial Difficulties and shortages of primary care doctors are creating challenges for patients. Under the leadership of health and Human Service secretary, our administration is educated to strengthening dedicated to strengthening the States Health care system and rick is no stranger to this works. He is a former ceo of Landmark Medical Center where he led a significant turnaround, bringing the hospital out of receivership and when i recruited him to state government, thanks, rick, for accepting. Where are you, by the way . Youre hanging around here somewhere. Thank you for accepting and taking my call, he immediately went to fix the longstanding challenges we inherited at elinore slater hospital and improvement in Patient Safety and staff morale and thank you for the dollars to fix that hospital. [applause] the budget, the budget i proposed last year that the General Assembly passed included new state directed payments to hospitals. These new payments combined other changes, resulted in 110 Million Dollars in new medicaid funding to our state hospital. The budget ill propose this year will once again include crucial funding. Additionally, our budget will propose over 135 Million Dollars in investments to increase Health Care Provider rates and support the Behavioral Health needs of Rhode Islanders. Some provider rates have not been increased in over 10 years. We know how important Early Intervention is for our children and families. This Crucial Program promotes development of infants and toddlers who have a Developmental Disability or delay. In addition to the federal funding that we directed to Early Intervention providers to strengthen the work force, the budget ill propose to the General Assembly will fully fund Early Intervention rate increases recommended by the office of Health Insurance commissioner in our eohhs office. [applause] finally, in collaboration with secretary in the coming weeks, ill be signing an executive order focused on improving Rhode IslandsHealth Care System and planning work 5. To ensure we have access to a efficient and Effective Health care Delivery System aligned with our states needs. The working group created as part of this executive order will be comprised of members from my health cabinet, professionals, with broad input from a wide array of the work. Under the leadership of the department of health, dr. Bandy, director dr. Bandy, were building a new state health lab which my partners up here had a great deal to do with. This Publicprivate Partnership will also have much needed wet lab space will be essential to growing Rhode Islands life science industry. [applause] for a decade leaders have stepped up to the microphone, just like that painter that never got that sunset painted, and talked about how massachusetts is a leader in life science and that rhode island could be as well. Instead of dreaming of that possibility, thanks to the leadership of the speaker, were making it a reality. [applause] our administration worked with the speaker and the General Assembly to propose a quasi Public Agency dedicated to our states life science strategy and we included 45 million in last years budget to support this sector. Mia steinberg, i think shes here with us tonight, shell be leading. And i want to thank the assembly for an appointment earlier this month. Neil, stand up. [applause] jobs in the life science sector are good paying jobs, usually commanding six figures. We want these jobs in rhode island to help raise per capita income, to grow the Talent Pipeline and solidify rhode island as a life science leader. My budget will propose building a new Life Science School at the university of rhode island, through a bond referendum. I will be out across the state with our uri president , rallying Rhode Islands behind this important income raising initiative. [applause] is mark here . Im not sure whether mark made it. He is here. Here you go. Mr. President , were on tour. Were all going statewide, all 39 cities and towns. Thanks to rhode island college, president jack warner teaming up with former congressman, we launched the First State Institute of Cyber Security and emerging technology at rhode island college. [applause] tonight, tonight were joined by Jillian Costello and nigel gomes, two students who are already enrolled in the institute and on a path to a good paying job in this emerging industry. Jillian and nigel, please stand up and be recognized. [applause] thank you for being a part of Team Rhode Island. Cyber security is a rapidly growing field with thousands of unfilled positions. To have congressman leading the charge on this, we are blessed. Hes a National Leader who is going to Bring National recognition to rhode island college. Thank you, congressman. [applause] an Information Security analyst is now ranked as one of nation with a median salary of 112,000. We want these jobs in rhode island to help raise per capita income. Cyber Security Institute is equipping the next generation Cyber Security professionals with the technical and business skills to meet the Cyber Security challenges of the 21st century. To meet the potential that this field office offers. Im calling on them to take the next level. Lets pass a first of its kind Cyber Security bond to grow rhode island colleges current Cyber Security program into a Cyber Security school of choice and in five years lets have a thousand students enrolled in this graduating in this school, graduating 250 students a year with this degree and lets raise our per capita income in the state of rhode island. [applause] raising income also means making sure our retirees can afford to stay in rhode island. Spearheading a pension Advisory Work Group to look at potential changes to our states pension system. Were also working with his office on legislation to create secure choice, a new voluntary Retirement Savings program. Treasurer, thank you for your leadership. [applause] while that works and continues, lets act to raise the threshold for taxable Retirement Income so our retirees can keep more money in their pockets. I will be sending a Budget Proposal to the General Assembly to make this happen. [applause] its the right thing to do. We not only want to keep our grandkids and our kids in rhode island, we want to make sure that the people who invest in the state retire in the state. Rhode island is a Small Business state. I know that. Not only as governor, but also as a former Small Business owner. Thats why one of my Top Priorities is making rhode island a better place to do business. But lets not forget what we have accomplished with a General Assembly, with the reps and the senators in this room. With our speaker, with our Senate President. We sped up and fully eliminated, we wiped out the tangibles for 75 of rhode island businesses. Thank you, Senate President for your leadership and your chambers leadership on that issue. [applause] we eliminated the so called litter tax on businesses. We delivered 35 million in utility tax, utility rate relief for families and businesses. Weve exempted the tradein values of motorcycles from sales tax from the purchase of new motorcycles for all of our motorcycle fans out there. We increased access to capital for Small Businesses, and altogether, we have provided tens of millions of dollars of tax relief to local businesses without increasing broadbased taxes a penny. [applause] and were not stopping there. The budget ill send for the General Assembly will keep that progress going. I will call for reducing the corporate minimum tax from 400 to 350. This tax impacts our states smallest businesses the most. Lets give them more relief. Im targeting six annoying fees for elimination, including the redundant Real Estate Broker and liquor manufacturing fees. Lets get rid of these small aggravating permits and fees that just bog down our Small Businesses in terms of their team. And were also proposing funding to help more minority d businesses get certified to qualify for more state contracts. We cannot build an economy without including each and every family, each and every business in that economy. Secretary tanner and team at commerce know that its Rhode Islands turn to be a leader in Small Business friendliness. Together were not only making progress, but were going to get it done. In addition to the budget ill propose, im looking forward to working with the General Assembly on several key issues. Finding Common Ground and reforming the Law Enforcement law officers bill of rights. [applause] finding new ways to speed up Housing Production. And this year, lets finally pass an assault weapons ban in rhode island. [cheers and applause] now, i want to share some highlights from our States Economic hubs that are sustaining good paying jobs and were making the biggest investments in the port of galilee in decades. Its not just the home of chamlin, its one of the powerhouses, fourth valued fishing post on the east coast and 18th highest value port in the United States. Department of Environmental Management terry gray is here tonight with ryan klotz. President and ceo of the town dock, a Family Business down in galilee. The town dock is one of the leading calamari suppliers in the United States. Rep mcnamara, youve got to love that. Were glad to see them benefitting from the work. Ryan, thanks for all you do and for being on Team Rhode Island. Lets give him and all of our Small Business a big round of applause for the the work that they do each and every day. [applause] last year we launched a new program through the department of transportation to help our cities and towns expedite repairs and local roads and bridges. We all tired of being the lowest ranked on roads in the country . I am. I am. All 39 cities and towns participated and here are the results from the budget that was passed last year, the 20 million we appropriated thats now creating 75 million of local work. 622 total projects representing 456 lane miles of road and nearly 24 miles of sidewalks. As the state works to improve Rhode Islands infrastructure ranking, we want to provide support to our municipalities to do the same. Thats why my budget will call for another 5 million so this program can continue and we support our local 39 cities and towns. [applause] i told you there was a lot to share. D. O. T. Director is here tonight along with our municipal leaders who stepped up in a big way to capitalize on this program and while were talking about our transportation infrastructure, i want to take a minute to acknowledge the frustration that many Rhode Islanders experience when we had to make the decision to quickly close part of the Washington Bridge as a Public Safety measure. I know this impacted routines like getting to doctors appointments and taking kids to school. So i want to once again thank Rhode Islanders for their patience and understanding. We look forward to getting Washington Bridge open as quickly as possible, but we are determined to make sure that our bridges are safe, that our roads are repaired, and that this National Ranking that has been around our necks for far too long goes away. I want to thank the people at d. O. T. Who are doing the work to fix our roads and bridges, just take a ride up route 295, which was repaved for the first time in over 20 years. We have waited too long to make this investment and with the help of the General Assembly were going to keep that going so that we are driving our infrastructure, represents the progress that this state is making. Were the first working off shore winds farm in the United States. We know that rhode island is an industry leader, but were not stopping there. Our first project, Revolution Wind is sense to commence construction this year. When construction is complete, Revolution Winds willpower nearly 263,000 households at a rate of 9. 8 cents per kilowatts for 20 years. This is an important step toward meeting our act on climate goal. [applause] in order to get our off shore wind project completed, we need people doing the work. A few of our off shore wind workers are here tonight and i want to tha them. Nicole kent of ibew local 99. [applause] Nicholas Russo of labors local 271. And Jennifer Dwyer of iron workers local 37. I want to recognize them. Lets recognize them, please stand up. Thank you so much. [applause] we cant get this done in the state of rhode island and meet the goals that were setting without people doing the work. And its the work that matters, its not what we talk about, its the work that matters. Thank you for being on Team Rhode Island and lets give them another round of applause. [applause] ut were not just building the infrastructure, we also, were also training the workers at the states first off shore Wind Training center, flannigan campus in lincoln. Under the leadership of president dr. Rosemary cochran. Are you here . Thank you, doctor. [applause] again, we want these jobs in rhode island to help us raise per capita income. In partnership with the General Assembly, we made a significant, smart investment in quonset by directing 60 million to the port of davisville, as one of north americas top 10 auto importers, more than 200,000 cars crossed the piers last year supporting more than 1600 jobs. [applause] theres far more to that story. Dont have the time to tell it all tonight. 435,000 square feet of new space is either on the drawing board or in production today and putting people to work by creating opportunities in the future for new jobs. 435,000 square feet. [applause] and we also have to have a little fun so were going all in in boosting tourism and raising Rhode Islands national profile. We doubled our investment in Destination Marketing and its working. Last year our state had over 27 million visitors, an increase of more than 5 compared to the prior year. Were proud to have many of those visitors flying into Rhode Island Tf Green International airport. Ranked in the top 10 best airports in the world, right here in rhode island. [applause] but thats not all. This year rhode island became home to good burger two, hocuspocus two and the gilded age. Im excited about another movie filmed in rhode island this year, ella la kay. A lt. Governor who becomes governor, and while that sounds familiar i can assure its not about yours truly. I want to thank Rhode Islands film and Television Office for doing the work to attract these blockbusters which has rhode island on the map in a big way. Give steve a round of applause. Im not sure steve is here tonight. applause we made a little history this year. Some planned and some not planned, when we moved the independent man from the top of the state house to undergo a historic repair and preservation effort. This was the first time in nearly 50 years, the only second time in state history that Rhode Islanders could come see the man upclose. The independent man is a source of pride for Rhode Islanders, we found that out over the last several weeks and so is this building, this gem. Thats why were executing a long overdue cleaning of this building for the first time in 30 years. It looks good. [applause] and i want to recognize the part of the new administration director, jonathan warmer, and our team at Capital Asset management and maintenance for leading the charge in this effort. Theyre joined in the gallery tonight by some of the men and women who did the work to remove safely the independent man and clean this historic building. Please stand up. Give them a round of applause. I believe theyre in the gallery tonight. The men and women who work. [applause] again. Tonight is not only about the work that were getting done, but its the people who are doing the work. Were using this opportunity to invest in the peoples house and preserve the independent man for generations of Rhode Islanders and visitors to enjoy. And while were at it, lets make rhode Island History a true attraction that brings thousands of tourists to our state every year in partnership with second of state greg amory, lets build a new state archive and history center, a place to display our founding documents and important treasures. [applause] my budget, our budget, the peoples Budget Proposal will ask the General Assembly to put this on the 2024 ballot. Its our turn to capitalize on our history and have a place to document what Rhode Islands future holds, which is bright. And speaking of taking pride in our beautiful state, on behalf of the first lady, susan mckee, who is here tonight, i want to encourage all Rhode Islanders to take our litterfree rhode island pledge to keep our state clean. The budget i will submit to the General Assembly will include Additional Resources to make that happen. Visit litterfree ri. Gov to take the pledge, everyone in the state, lets make a serious effort to make sure that this beautiful state is beautiful. [applause] tonight you heard stories of people across rhode island who are doing the work. And there are thousands more just like them all across the state. Team rhode island is filled with talented, dedicated players, both in and out of state government. Im inspired by these people every single day and proud to be working with them. Earlier, i talked about how the very best teams are built when talented individuals use their skills to help others do their very best. That Basketball Team i coached, i really cant do justice to that story in the short time we have here. They were an example of a team who helped each other do their very best. In many ways, their story is Rhode Islands story, too. No one believed they could succeed, but they did. Two state championships, four national championships, invited to the top tournament in the country at duke university. And just like rhode island, they earned the respect they deserved, but what i am most proud of what theyre achieving today as theyre raising their families in homes that they own, when they grew up in homes that they did not own. This is progress for the state in 2024. Team rhode island will continue using our skills to make our state one of the very best in the nation. We will use our resources to put people to work in good paying jobs on projects that will pay dividends for decades to come. My fellow Rhode Islanders, we will become what we believe we can be. Never underestimate the power of a team that has each others backs. The state of the state is strong. The future is bright and our very best is well on the way. God bless rhode island, and god bless the United States. Thank you all for being here. Good night and enjoy your evening. [applause] today the Prime Minister of qatar joins the Atlantic Council to discuss working with the United States to deescalate tensions in the israelhamas war and the countrys war as a nonn. A. T. O. Ally of the u. S. Watch live at 12 p. M. Eastern on cspan2, cspan now our free mobile video app or online at cspan. Org. Today, california congressman darrell issa discusses u. S. South asia relations and looks at challenges and opportunities in the coming here hosted by the Hudson Institute in washington d. C. Watch live at 2 p. M. Eastern on cspan2, cspan now our free mobile video app or online at cspan. Org. Cspan now is a free mobile app featuring your unfiltered view of whats happening in washington. Live and on demand. Keep up with the days biggest events with live streams of floor proceedings and hearings from the u. S. Congress, white house events, the courts, campaigns, and more from the world of politics all at your fingertips. 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