Enter this session our priorities in 2020 have been shaped by the events and circumstances our state has faced over the last year. As i have said before i believe 2019 will be remembered as nebraskas finest hour. [applause] when we were faced with the most widespread and costly Natural Disaster in state histor history, nebraskans responded with heroic grit and determination and resilience and generosity. For 318 days through december 19 nebraska had a flood watch warning or advisory somewhere in our state. Through it all nebraska show the world what it truly means to be nebraska strong. The rescue on nebraska not only rescued stranded neighbors donated hey, poured hot meals and raised money for those who lost everything. Several of our hearing on our heroes a token of our appreciation. These men and women are ordinary nebraskans who recognize the need and took lifesaving action. In many cases they did this not because it was their job but because they cared about their neighbors and community. And a sadly flooding claimed the lives of six nebraskans. One of those was james. A farmer near columbus who sacrificed his life while volunteering to save a stranded motorist. Local Emergency Responders asked for his help, james answered the call. He put on his boots, guided his tractor, and while driving his tractor to the rescue the bridge he traveled over could not withstand the powerful water and collapsed. God called james home earlier than any of us expected. He will forever be remembered for selflessness and heroism. His wife rachel and family are here with us today. Please help me recognize them. [applause] [applause] today want to recognize the amazing worker of the Public Servants of the state of nebraska. The Unsung Heroes working around the clock to organizing rescues, clearing roads in communities and during the flooding, members of the Nebraska National guard drove nearly 45000 miles and put in 335 hours of flight time. Along the way they rescued 112 people, 66 of those rescues flew a helicopter hoist. And then to make more than 160 rescues from the floods in march. Rescues were made using armored vehicles, boats, and a helicopter to reach people in danger and bring them to safety. In july when another round struck central nebraska the Nebraska State Patrol was among the first on the ground to help. Troopers worked sidebyside with Current Police officers and others to evacuate hundreds of people from businesses and hotels in kearny. With the department of transportation sacrificing countless hours to keep people safe. Escaping floodwaters when he turned around to go back and assist the nebraska state trooper who got stranded behind him. Since the flood the agency has helped to rebuild the state by reopening and repairing 3300 miles of state highway and 27 bridges. And finally i want to recognize the teams of the Emergency Management agency to help respond to calls across the state directed resources and ran joint Information Center among other countless duties. They are among the best of their peers in the nation. Please help me recognize from the National Guard and state patrol and those who are seated here today. [applause] [applause] before i elaborate on the state of the state i want to honor the state Patrol Trooper smith who lost his life in a tragic crash last year. The first trooper we have lost in the line of duty in the last 20 years. From wartorn iraq to the highways and byways of nebraska, trooper smith life was distinguished by service rooted in his deep love of famil family, community, state and country. All his family was not able to be here today please help me to recognize the sacrifice and bravery of all the great men and women who serve in Law Enforcement agencies. [applause] even though the floodwaters subsided and we started to rebuild the events of last year compounded the challenges for our states number one industry. In addition to flooding, we experienced several other major events, a fire in a Meat Processing plant that hit the ranch families hard and then from eastern wyoming threatening her industries and hundreds of farm operations. Shifting our focus to diversify markets for the ag producers. And our continued battle for those fuel standards as a typical year for corn growers. And to power through these tough times each of us had a duty for the farm and ranch families. Even with these challenge challenges, nebraska has been able to achieve several significant milestones the last 12 months. In spite of unprecedented flooding and unforeseen challenges im happy to report the state of the state is strong and resilient and growing. [applause] in 2019 nebraska outpaced the National Rate for growth. In march nebraska marked the first month of her that 1 million unique individuals have been employed in our state. In october, over 15000 new jobs were added which is the fastest yearoveryear growth since 2015. Weve been working hard and over the past year to use the four pillars of prosperity to deliver on our mission to make it more effective and more efficient. We have conducted numerous nebraskans with jobs and opportunities. And to create a new initiative program. We continue to lead you run the government like a business. And to spotlight the great work of the center of Operational Excellence to put customers first, cut weight time and eliminate waste. Together we increase the refund at 275 million annually. Are almost double before we took office. With the trade missions of mexico vietnam and germany to recruit new investment to the state. These tragedies bring great opportunity that companies such as cosco, google, facebook have invested in our state. Fit these investments help us create our third consecutive governors cap for most investments per capita for any state in the nation. So then i went to take a moment to make a special announcement. Nebraska isnt just a leader of opportunity but also you may have noticed my wife is not here with us today. She is in seattle with the family programs accepting the Foundation Jim casey Building Communities of hope award on behalf of our great state. [applause] nebraska is receiving this National Award because of the incredible work public and private agencies have been doing to bring up the nebraska initiative. Helping to produce Better Outcomes for our children, thanks in part to the number of children in need of foster care increased 18 percent helping to keep more children and families together. [applause] please help me to think the Nebraska Children and Family Foundation and all partners who helped to bring up nebraska and our kids and our families. [applause] so now lets turn to the legislative session. It is a short eight months ago to collaborate together on a twoyear budget that set priorities for this year and next. With the exception of a couple of emerging priorities i expect agencies and our partners to manage within the twoyear budget. Not including Property Tax Relief the budget i present today control spending to limit budget growth to about two. 9 percent. A strong finish to last year help us to build our cash reserve and creates the opportunity to work on key priorities for the people in nebraska. The forecasting board waived by 266 million over current and upcoming fiscal year combined. So i have four major priorities im presenting to you today. First, Property Tax Relief. It remains the top priority for the people in nebraska and its my number one priority. Last year we successfully increase the property tax refund from the state by over 20 percent. This was a step in the right direction but more must be done. Today i am recommending roughly 500 million of Property Tax Relief over the next three years to help farmers, ranchers, and businesses. I will be working closely with the senator and the committee to direct the relief in a way to make a difference on local property tax bills that nebraskans spend. [applause] and as we Work Together to have frequent rules that i follow, no tax increases, protecting the property tax credit refund and encourage spending restraint in local government. Just like were doing here today. We need local spending we straight restraint because local governments raised property taxes 54 percent while inflation has only grown at 17 percent. So flood relief communities have a long way to go. The federal government will step up to provide significant support but the state must do our part as well. Eightyfour counties and five tribal nations have over 400 million of Disaster Relief projects to the fema agency. My recommendation is 50 million to invest in these projects and another nine. 2 Million Dollars to aid counties impacted by the disaster i have also recommended a 3 million to maintain an adequate balance and the surplus fund so the state can address the future. Third we need to do more as veterans continue to contribute to our economy and is the only state in the region whose population is declining because we tax retirement benefits. You voted 46 nothing this week. Thank you for advancing the bill to encourage you to help us retain veterans. [applause] fourth, workforce and business expansion. And with the public and private sector, connecting the next generation to great opportunity in the state is key to helping kids make nebraska their home. I am proposing we invest 16 million in scholarships for students and Community Colleges in state colleges and universities to help correct the next generation of nebraskans with fields ranging from math and engineering to healthcare. I also want to acknowledge the university of nebraska who has joined us here today as you lay out your vision. [applause] [applause] my recognition also includes funding for lb 720 which refines business incentives. It is critical that incentives are dealt with in this legislative session so nebraska remains competitive nationally as we work to recruit and expand job opportunities. Finally on the topic of workforce im recommending 8 million to attract or retain quality teammates in the department of corrections, this will support the new agreement recently reached with the corrections officer union. As we implement this agreement director franks and i will look at next steps for the agency and what we need to do to keep our people safe. Property tax relief, flood relief and growing our people and business. These are the four ways we can keep nebraska strong in 2020. I know there will be tough debates, long nights and an unpredictable journey ahead but i also know the citizen legislators gathered here today to get the job done when everyone works together and rolls up their sleeves. Before i close i want to recognize the state senators who are completing their final session. Each of these individuals has devoted the last 7 years to serving their district and our state. Senator chambers, crawford, powell, colostomy and especially jim scheer who has provided tremendous leadership to the state of nebraska as speaker of the legislature. Would you all please stand and be recognized . Thank you. [applause] this year also marks an important milestone. It is the one hundredth anniversary of womens suffrage. I went to recognize all our legislators and i note that delegation that was sent to escort me here was also but i want to recognize all the players who stepped up to serve our state. Would you please stand and be recognized. [applause] thank you all for your service to the people of nebraska. Our work in the coming days will take a spirit of collaboration and cooperation from each of you to do our part to keep nebraska strong. I look forward to the days ahead. God bless you all and god bless the great state of nebraska. Thank you. This body, this chamber exists precisely so that we can look past the daily dramas and understand how our actions will reverberate through generations so that we can put aside animal reflexes and animosities and coolly consider how to best serve our country in the long run. So that we can break factional fevers before they jeopardize the core institutions of our government. As hamilton put it, with confidence enough in its own situation can preserve and influenced the necessary impartiality between an individual accused and the representatives of the people, his accusers. The madam president , the houses hour is over, the senates time is at hand. It is time for this proud body to honor our founding purpose. Heres what Alexander Hamilton warned of in federalist 65, the greatest danger is that a decision in him impeachment trial will be regulated more by the comparative strength of the party than by the real demonstration of innocence or guilt. Alexander hamilton before Political Parties were as strong as