and the legalization of medical marijuana. >> mister president, the governor of the commonwealth of kentucky! [applause] >> speaker osborne, members of the general assembly, lieutenant governor coleman and our constitutional officers. the justices of the kentucky supreme court. general lamberton, former governor steve beshear and former first lady jane beshear, hi, mom and dad. first lady britney beshear. we'll, lila and all the kentuckians watching from home, good evening. tonight, i'm proud to report, that despite everything we've been through, including a pandemic, tornadoes, flooding, ice storms, a polar plunge, temporary but still tough inflation and even a war in europe, the state of the commonwealth is still strong. [applause] the state of the commonwealth is still strong and our future is bright. [applause] we entered the 2023 with hope and optimism after setting record highs in economic development and record lows in unemployment. that means that 2023 provides us a special opportunity for this state and for this legislative session to change everything for the better. to be the generation that puts aside partisanship and ushers kentucky into a new era of prosperity. tonight, i want to talk first about how we are kentucky tough. and how we have navigated historic challenges. then, i want to focus on the extraordinary potential we have in this decisive moment. to lift up all our people and all our families. since day one, my administration has focused on the worries that kentuckians feel every day. do i have a good paying job? can i take my kids or my parents to a doctor when they were sick? are my family and my community safe? are my kids getting the very best education? these are the worries of a parent, i know, i am one. but i have faith in god and i have faith in us. i have faith that we, the people of kentucky can, and will and are addressing each of these worries. and we're doing it together. in the face of some of the greatest challenges imaginable. time and time again, kentucky has shown up for one another. scripture tells us that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves, and that's exactly what folks across the commonwealth have been doing you see, last year, i deliver this address just weeks after the deadliest tornado outbreak in our country hit our region. we lost 81 kentuckians. this year, historic flooding devastated communities in our eastern region, taking 44 more lives. just around ten days ago, a polar plunge hit the entire state, killing four people. that's all on top of nearly 17, 000, 700 kentuckians we've lost in the pandemic. as a community, we've experienced more pain and more grief than many can comprehend. but god is good, even through the most difficult tragedies. we can always see his work in the response. what fills me with hope and pride is how team kentucky has responded to all of these challenges. we got through them, and we got through them together. we continue to be thankful for the kentucky state police, fish and wildlife officers and the kentucky national guard, the best national guard in this entire country. [applause] joining us tonight, our helicopter rescue pilot and brad austin from kmsp. first class are jaramillo and cole kaiser from the kentucky national guard. we also have lieutenant rob spears of pikeville, and conservation officer bobby islands of hindman from fish and wildlife, who led boat rescue throughout the region. let's give them a big round of applause. [applause] i am convinced that, because of the work of these amazing people and all of their colleagues, that the emergency rescue efforts during the flooding where one of the best the nation has ever seen. with more than 1300 kentuckians rescued. that's 1300 kentucky lives saved. so, to each of you and your colleagues, the commonwealth loves you i. and once again, thank you. along with those great individuals, first responders across the state came to help. some of those first responders are joining us this evening. battalion chief adam surreal and captain adam hague sudden are here with us from the lexington fire department. they were originally dispatched to hazard but, when they got to breath in county, they knew that was where they were needed most. adam, ryan, the entire department swiftwater rescue crew put their lives on the line to rescue 130 kentuckians and the assisted admissions that saved more than 2000 lives. on behalf of all the first responders that came to our aid during that flooding, we thank you. [applause] in response to the flooding, we immediately secured a federal commission to speed resources to the region. we set up the eastern kentucky speed relief fund, which has now raised over $13 million. i called a special session and together we opened up over $200 million of state funds immediately to help the region. so, mister president, mister speaker, bill sponsored john blunt and, i want to thank you for your leadership. and i want to thank this tire general assembly for putting the people of kentucky first. and in something that i think was special, this wasn't a bipartisan act. it was a nonpartisan act. during and after the floods, we opened up our state parks to people who had lost their homes, just like we did in the west. with help from louisiana, where providing intermediate housing and travel trailers for nearly 700 kentuckians until they can secure reliable, permanent housing. tonight, we are joined by trinity shepard, who runs jenny wildly state park along with some of his coworkers. trinity and some of his team, some of whom were heavily impacted themselves, but their own needs aside and help our families who had lost everything. so, trinity, we want to thank you and every parks employee for caring for our fellow kentuckians time and time again. [applause] and as we headed into the holiday season, the first lady once again launched a toy drive, the eastern kentucky toy drive. to give the children who had lost so much in the floods a reason to smile at christmas. and once again, the tories poured in and those kids left with boxes upon boxes of gifts for christmas. we'll, laila, your mom is a pretty special lila lady. britney, i love, you thank you for everything you do for the children of kentucky. [applause] the task that remains is the long term rebuilding. unquestionably, it will be one of the most difficult rebuilds our nation has ever seen. our mission is to move our families out of the floodplain and out of harm's way. but doing so gives that's a chance to reimagine our communities. to go beyond just rebuilding and to set the stage for future growth. we have the chance to build new homes, community centers, senior apartments, maybe even new schools along with strong, modern, resilient infrastructure that will help the entire region. and here is the best part. there is enough land both to rebuild and to attract new jobs. thanks to the generosity of sean and tammy adams, we're doing just that. right before christmas, we are able to announce the first high ground community will be created in not county. what used donated, funds as well as state and federal money to build those new homes, schools and a community center along with a strong, resilient infrastructure. this will just be the first of many communities like this of the state will build along with local governments and private sector partners in the areas most affected by the flooding. sean and tammy are here with us tonight. y'all chose to make a difference for your community by helping us create a safer neighborhood for those who need one. you said you hoped it would be named olive branch to symbolize peace. thank you for both showing us what it truly means to live out our kentucky values. [applause] we want the people of eastern kentucky to know that we love you, we care about you and we're going to be there for you every step of the way. as long as it takes. for those on the west affected by the tornadoes, we know there is still much work left to be done. we remain committed and we look forward to celebrating each milestone with you. last, year i got to introduce you to kara mcknight and her family. just months after losing her brother logan to a car accident, kara's home was taken by the tornadoes. i met her at the christmas celebration at penny riled park where we loaded kara up with toys. since then, every time i've been in western kentucky, i see kara and her family. i've gotten to know them and have closely followed their recovery. tonight, i'm proud to report the mick nights are finally in their new home, and kara even got to design her own room. [applause] every family impacted by the tornadoes or the flooding to deserves that moment, where they walk into a new, safe home. kara, jason, ashley and jet are watching and our new living room tonight. i want to thank them for their strength and showing us both healing and better days are possible. i am extraordinarily proud of how our people have responded to crisis after crisis. but tonight, i think we are ready to turn the page. to no longer focus on the difficulties of yesterday, but to embrace that promise of tomorrow. in the book of psalms, we're told weeping may linger for the night. but joy comes in the morning. the joy of that morning, the promise of a better kentucky, means that our children and grandchildren never have to leave this state to pursue their dreams. because no matter how big they dream, they can chase every dream right here. a tomorrow where people don't move from our state but to it. where people and business choose kentucky. the promise of a better future has never been brighter. as our commonwealth has emerged from the pandemic as a national economic leader. every, day we are winning. with company after company picking us, picking kentucky. in 2021, we had the best economic development here on record with the largest total investment in the most new jobs ever announced. with the books closed on 2022, i can announce we have now secured the best two year period for economic growth in state history. [applause] during my administration, we have now announced more than 800 private sector projects, totaling more than 24 billion dollars of new investments. the best part? the creation of 42,600 new kentucky jobs. [applause] i'm proud to say these aren't just any jobs, they're really good jobs. in 2020, to our average incentivized wage was $22. 68 before benefits. that's an 11 and a half percent increase over 2021. that means the last two years have been our second and third best years ever for new wages. and what i love most about the successes is that they are spread all over the state. just look at flash steel works, investing 12 point $1 million and creating 152 new jobs in bell county. jackson purchase distillery or than $60 million in creating 24 new jobs in fulton county. atlas machine and supply company creating 78 new jobs in breckenridge county. oh i class with his 239 billion dollar investment, creating 140 new jobs and warren county. former kentucky -- creating 100 new jobs in jefferson county. fidelity investments creating 172 jobs and whitehorse bring creating another 415 jobs and canton county. had a lip form solutions investing more than 171 million, dollars creating 262 new jobs in clark county. trader joe's east incorporated, investing $260 million and creating 876 jobs in simpson county. coveted's manufacturing, investing 25 point $6 million, creating 350 new jobs in owen county. mega core logistics created 250 new jobs and campbell county. polymers incorporated invested $74 million, created 218 new jobs in anderson county. legacy medals created 100 new jobs and christian county. double d e group invested $45 million, created 200 new jobs in -- county. columbia brands, usa creating 105 new jobs and henderson county. the kentucky whiskey company investing more than $21 million and creating 30 new jobs in ohio county. hollow must companies incorporated creating 150 new jobs and callaway county. osmond's company, investing 25 billion dollars in creating may be new jobs and grace county. emerald energy in megaton county, 1. 4 million dollar investment with 25 new jobs. revolutionary racing, investing $55 million to create nearly 200 new jobs in boyd county. how about that? [applause] it's because of this commitment to make sure that prosperity comes to every part of our state and that no one is left out. i was proud to stand for election as a co-chair of the appalachian regional commission and i'm proud to report that, today, i was elected unanimously. my promise is that we will continue to create great jobs all throughout appalachia and beyond. now, a big part of our economic story, a big part of our future economy, it's tied to our electric vehicle rehabilitation. their old leadership, we are super charging the automotive industry for the future. in april, we announced the biggest economic development projects for 2022 in the second largest project in state history. that is in visions up to billion dollar 200 weijia battery facility. in august, we already broke ground on this amazing project in bowling green's trans park. last, month we officially broke out on the game changing blue oval s k battery park in hearten county. with its partner ascot are investing nearly eight billion dollars including 5000 new jobs and that glendale megasite, making it the biggest economic development project in state history. [applause] joining us tonight, we have justice dingell's envisions director of operations and bowling green, as well as jim crane, h e financial officer of blue oval as k. because of these great projects, kentucky has cemented its status as the electric vehicle battery production capital of the united states of america. thank you both! [applause] and thanks to those gentlemen, we are already seeing other large investments to build out our supply chain for ev. and to do it in kentucky. in september, we announced a sent elements one billion dollar investment in a high tech battery recycling and production facility. which would bring in 400 new jobs to hopkinsville. this was the second largest announcement of 2022, and it stands as the single largest investment western kentucky has ever seen. because of this project, we won't have to rely on china for one single ounce of lithium. not one. [applause] we are protecting our national security and we are getting it done right here in kentucky. this project is also personal to me. that amazing plant is going to be built just about 26 miles from dawson springs. town that was nearly wiped off the map by tornadoes. it's a community i deeply love. this plant will ensure that that town at its families not only survive but thrive. so, kara, i know you're watching at home. study hard. because some of the most advanced technological jobs are setting up just down the road from your new home. no pressure. tonight, it's also appropriate to toast. to toast the success of our signature bourbon and spirits industry. see, in 2022, kentucky's bourbon and spirits industry had its biggest every year for growth. investing 2. 1 billion dollars and creating 700 new jobs. we welcome the bourbon investments and new jobs in laurel, nelson, marion, washington, bracken and bullet counties, just to name a few. 2022 will also be remembered as the year we took major steps in health care. health care is a basic human right. it's also a basic building block of kentucky's economy. the health care industry is one of our leading employers. and it created 1550 new jobs in 2022 alone. during the height of the pandemic, our hospitals and our health care heroes proved just how important they are. together we saved tens of thousands of lives. in recognition, we passed legislation that has now provided more than 2 million additional dollars to kentucky 's hospitals. this helped facilities across the state keep their doors open. and it helped lay the groundwork for some amazing new opportunities. these opportunities included breaking ground on norton health care is new hospital in west louisville, the first hospital in the west and in 150 years. [applause] i'm proud that with us tonight is doctor mccann support and health care, who also led vaccination efforts in the west and during the pandemic to ensure every family had access. doctor nick chance, thank you and thank you to your entire team at norton health care. [applause] other projects include the new you of else have hospital and bullet county, the new appalachian valley autism center in north president break and the institution of the pace program, which is going to keep so many of our seniors that need extra help in their own home. including improving their health and their quality of life. alongside all this new job growth, in 2022, we also set records for the lowest unemployment in state history three separate times. we also set a record for the longest stretch of unemployment below 3. 9%. our fiscal house is also stronger than ever. my administration is expected to post the four largest budget surplus is that the commonwealth history. we have the largest rainy day fund ever and we reported the highest annual revenue growth in 31 years. put simply, we are winning. and we're bringing prosperity to every corner of the commonwealth with the goal to keep leave no one behind. [applause] that's why we're working hard, working hard to ensure that kentuckians who have fallen out of the workforce secure good paying jobs. not by kicking folks who are down by lifting them up. the parable the good samaritans starts with a person suffering on the side of the road on the ground. in the parable, president cut them or take his benefits, he left some up. so, let's look the faith and values and the lessons the bible toughness of healing, forgiveness and goodwill. we are called to provide second chances. so, in november, i joined the justice cabinet in the kentucky chamber of commerce to announce new programs aimed at transitioning people from incarceration to employment. folks, this is a win-win. we fill jobs with whaling employees and we make our community safer because a kentucky and with a job is far less likely to re-offend. [applause] second chances are also needed four kentuckians fighting addiction. from launching a program to help employees guide their workers to addiction services when needed to this chamber's passage of ready communities. we are creating pathways to help more people struggling with addiction. we are also called to improve the health of all of our people. a person has to be healthy enough to work. that's, why and october, announced expanded medicaid coverage that includes dental, hearing and vision. again, it's simple. if we want you to do go to work, you have to be able to see well enough to drive to work. if we want you to be safe on the job site, you have to be able to hear well enough to hear those instructions. we are called to provide opportunity for our children and never hinder them. that's why, together, we've now invested about $245 million over the last two budgets to renovate and rebuild career and technical centers in high schools all over the state. [applause] see, this is how we build the workforce. being the samaritans that lift people up. we are also working to make sure our families feel safe in their homes, where places, schools and in their communities. in order to create a better, safer commonwealth, we must have enough police, sheriff deputies and state troopers. [applause] that's why, together, we provided that kentucky state police with significant raises. this action has slowed if not stop early retirements and application numbers are increasing. release trading stipends for okey dokey law enforcement across the commonwealth, helping communities that are also providing necessary raises. and we created a military to law enforcement program to help local law enforcement agencies hire more service members. let us not forget, these are the heroes that put their lives on the line every day and we lost far too many of them in 2022. we grieve with the families of these brave heroes who make the ultimate sacrifice as last year. let us always remember their sacrifices and to continue to support these families. to our law enforcement community, we love you, we support you and we need you. [applause] keeping our families safe also requires us to face new realities, that far too many violent crimes are being committed by juveniles. so, we are expanding early intervention services with the goal of providing more educational opportunities, mental health counseling, addiction treatment and wraparound services before a juvenile commits a serious crime. but the reality is we are currently hasn't the most violent population of juveniles in recent memory in our juvenile justice facilities. our juvenile justice system was put into place 20 years ago, and it was not designed to handle this type of offender. this has put our workers as well as the young people housed in these facilities in danger. because of, this we are currently implementing significant reforms. first, we are putting in higher security facilities for those charged with the most serious crimes. this would allow us to both keep our workers and youth safe and will allow offenders to act with more services without interruption. second, we opened our second juvenile detention center to protect our female youth. we're going to be asking you to help. to help in terms of higher, salaries upgrades to our facilities and necessary changes to state law. another part of keeping our communities safe is ensuring the roads and bridges are families travel across are safe and that our water is clean and drinkable. in many, ways we are in our eisenhower moment. providing more funding for infrastructure than ever before. we have some major results on major projects to be excited about. ones that have been talked about for decades. like the i-69 corridor. the kentucky highway 30 from booneville to london. the meaty to harold dr. doug county and the -- expansion. earlier today, senator mcconnell now joined the president to celebrate the more than 1. 6 billion dollars in federal funding to build the we brent spence companion bridge. [applause] this is what happens when people work together. president biden, senators mcconnell, portman and brown. ohio governor mike dewine and myself, along with local officials business and this general assembly which greatly help our application. we talked about or even promise this project for decades. but now, together, we're getting the job done and we're going to get it done without tools. [applause] together, we've also worked to make the largest public sector investment and expanding high-speed internet. and there are more projects to come. we've delivered on projects to deliver clean drinking water to nearly 85,000 homes with every single county receiving funding. folks, for hard work, our commonwealth has become a leader. and the rest of the country has noticed. in fact, kentucky led the entire country and new job creation in august. and we tied for first in september. but it's not enough just to get to the top, we've got to stay on top. that takes work and that takes investment. so, today, my state representative derrick graham fight bills that should serve as a roadmap to where we need to go and a blueprint on how we can continue to build. the first bill contains our education first plan, which begins with a 5% pay raise for every public school educator. [applause] passage of this bill is both vital and necessary to address kentucky shortage of nearly 11,000 public school teachers. as a parent of two public school students, i know the impact of not having an english, a mat or a science teacher. i sat beside my kids during distance, learning just like so many of you did. a simple fact is you can't address learning loss without enough educators. put it another way, you can't catch a kid up on math without a math teacher. addressing our teacher shortage absolutely requires a pay raise. just over the last year, kentucky dropped from 42nd to 44th in teacher pay. we must act. failure to do so harms our children and undermines public education. it's also time, long past time for universal pre-k. [applause] universal pre-k helps when parents return to work for us while ensuring every single every kentucky childless kidder get ready. our education first plan also provides funding for education resources, mental health support for our students and a loan forgiveness program for our teachers. together, let's make kentucky a shining example of how to treat both our educators and our students. treating people right also dictates that the session and this general assembly finally legalizes medical cannabis. [applause] far too many kentuckians are suffering from life-threatening iconic conditions, like our veterans with ptsd, or kentuckians with cancer. that's why i issued my executive order. it allows people to get help they need without fearing a misdemeanor. i recently heard the story of cassidy harney. she is a mother and wife from canton county who, in 2019, was diagnosed with stage four cancer at the age of 40. in addition to the surgeries, humid air, be radiation treatment, she was also prescribed in her words every form of pain pill there was. but like a lot of people, she found the medications brought her little relief. she found real relief from medicinal cannabis oil. she cannot be with us tonight, but i want to thank her for her bravery and sharing her story with the commonwealth. it's going to help a lot of people. let's pass medical cannabis for cassidy and every person in need. [applause] we'll also be filing legislation to finally legalize sports betting. [applause] representative graham also filed legislation to provide additional races for a state workers and to provide a one and a half percent pension increase for retirees in the state employee retirement system. it has been ten long years since the last increase. and inflation has hit retirees pretty hard. with a record surplus, we should also invest more in our pension systems. i proposed growing up the state employee retirement system with a 100 million dollar investment and another hundred million dollars to pay down the unfunded liability of the teacher's retirement system. [applause] as kentuckians, we share more than divides us. we share the values of faith, of family and of community. and if we doubled down right now, if we lead with our values and we push politics aside, there is nothing that we cannot achieve. our future is brighter than it has ever been. so, if we stop trying to move to the right or the left and instead just choose to move forward, we will turn these two amazing years of historic progress into decades of lasting prosperity. this general assembly has the opportunity to make great progress on each of these issues we've discussed tonight. and we have the funding to do it. if we could just find our way to do what is right for the people of kentucky, and we will be the generation that changes everything for the better. the generation that ushers in a new era of prosperity. we will be the generation that ensures every child born in kentucky can stay in their community if they choose. because every opportunity is available to them, right here at home. as the dad of a 12 and a 13 -year-old who are here with me tonight, and who i love more than life itself, nothing is more important to me. god bless the commonwealth of kentucky. we love you, goodnight! [applause] >> there are