For the warm welcome and the honor of being here today to present the state of the state. It was not too long ago that i stood here and laid out a bold plan for the future of missouri. Back then, many were worried about the direction of our state. Some of you were probably worried about how your new governor would lead and address the problems within missouri. But because i love this state and the people of this state, i knew i was ready for that challenge. And with your help, ready to chart a new path for missouri. A path that would push us to the fo forefront of the nation, providing more opportunities for our citizens and make missouri a destination for others around the country, ready to embrace our showme way of life. I also want to thank the many of you in this room and the thousands around the state who had confidence in me, supported my vision, and offered me patience at a trying time for missouri. Even though it was a challenging time, it was also an opportunity to do things differently, to tackle tough problems, and propose bold solutions. And with your help, we have made tremendous progress. That is why i am confident telling you today that the state of our state is strong. And by working together, we will be ready for an even better future. [ applause ] one year ago, i told you my administration would take a very disciplined approach to work for the people of missouri. Workforce development and infrastructure must be our dedicated priorities. Focusing on these issues would allow us to not only make short term gains for our state but also provide long term stability and a Solid Foundation for future generations. They were issues that we worked on together, regardless of party or regions of the state. And most importantly, after listening to community, civic, and Business Leaders from across missouri, i knew they shared the same belief, that these issues would help strengthen every Community Across our state. In fact, in just a single year, missouris workforce develop agenda has caught the attention of the rest of the country. Other states are watching us now and taking notes. And we are rapidly working towards our goals of becoming the best in the midwest and frankly, the best in the nation. [ applause ] for example, through our collaboration with employers, we now have 42,000 missourians signed up for onthejob training through the onestart program. 42,000. [ applause ] we have reached second in the nation for apprenticeships and we fully intend to keep that momentum going. Our Fast Track Scholarship Program has reached hundreds of applications. And i am very proud that these scholarships are primarily used at our Community College where women make up 61 of the total enrollment. [ applause ] another Workforce Development program im very proud of is aspire mode, a 20week program that helps incarcerated women develop Business Plans and prepare for successful reentry into the workforce. Here with us today in the upper gallery is Emily Kershaw and the gala gives. Both of these ladies served in the vandalia womens correction center. Both would tell you they made poor choices in their past. But they stand before us today as graduates of aspire mode. Through this program, they have shown dedication to learning new skills, taking responsibility, getting back on their feet, and into the workforce. Ms. Kershaw is employed in a call center that connects veterans to health care services. Mrs. Gibbs is employed at americold, a storage and Logistics Company in st. Louis. If we were to be a society that believes in forgiveness and second chances, then it is the next chapter in their lives that will matter most. Please join me in recognizing mrs. Kershaw and mrs. Gibbs. [ applause ] please know we believe in you. We support you, and we wish you the best in the days to come. The opportunities we have provided for individuals to better themselves and in return provide a more stable environment for their families will truly change lives long after all of us are gone. When we talk about these successes in Workforce Development, it is also worth pointing out that real incomes are rising faster than at any time in recent history. More people have more money in their pockets and the tax cuts at the state and the federal level are absolutely having a positive impact here in missouri. [ applause ] missouri now ranks seventh in the nation for Small Business wage growth. And at a 3. 1 , our Unemployment Rate continues to remain at historic lows. And what has been below the national Unemployment Rate for 40 consecutive months. Another example that missouris growth is strong and that we are on the right track. [ applause ] not to mention that the africanamerican Unemployment Rate in missouri has dropped from over 10 in 2014 to 5. 5 today, nearly in half. Applause mauz [ applause ] and our workforce effort have created over 40,000 new jobs, 40,000 new jobs here in missouri. And more importantly, it is the private sector that is driving these investments, not government. And here are just a few examples. A fortune 250 agribusiness company, bungi, announced the relocation of its Global Headquarters from new york to st. Louis. Bayer announced it will add 500 new jobs to the st. Louis region. And pfizer also invested over 230 million. Boeing secured a 16 billion contract to built the tx trainer. And the nga west just broke ground on their billion dollar campus on st. Louis. And on the other side of the state, Companies Like swiss reed, faricia, cvs, and walter reed have made Huge Investments in the area. And course kansas beat more than 130 other cities around the country to land two divisions from the usda and over 500 new jobs for the first time in our nations history. [ cheers and applause ] our big cities arent the only ones generating new jobs and attracting investment. Briggs and stratton is creating 130 new jobs in poplar bluff. Dollar tree is invest 110 million for a new distributionw 375 new jobs. The largest Steel Company in the United States is close to production at its 250 million steel mill and will create 250 new jobs in saedalia, missouri. A new Processing Plant in thats whats going on around the count country. Purina expanded in bloomfield, missouri. [ applause ] about one month ago, General Motors announced one of the largest single project investments in our States History in wentzville with a 1. 5 billion investment to build midsized trucks for north america. And we like our trucks here in missouri. [ applause ] this is just the beginning. And these successes will help us build further momentum. All of these are shared successes and show that by working together, our investments in Workforce Development and infrastructure are succeeding. I am proud to report we exceeded even our own estimates and the result has been a better cost savings and more projects for the people of missouri. As a matter of fact, senator schatz, representative ruth, i want to thank you for your leadership in getting the bridge bonding resolution completed and let you know that our first round of bonds was achieved at an Interest Rate at 1. 25. [ applause ] and what triggered these bonds was an 20. 2 million grant from the u. S. Department of transportation to build the rocheport bridge. [ applause ] even more to celebrate are the vital grants we have received to complete the macarthur bridge in st. Louis. Make significant improvements to the river board in cape girardeau, and finally, wrap up funding for the i49 bella vista bypass in southwest missouri. I appreciate the support and leadership from our federal delegation in securing those funds, especially congressman sam graves and senator roy blount. [ applause ] these projects are critically important to the regions. And i am proud of modots hard work to leverage every tax dollar to the fullest and make our Transportation System safer for all missourians. In addition to these projects, we got even better return than expected on the infrastructure and Cost Share Program that you all passed. And im excited to tell you that this nearly 50 Million Investment will lead to nearly 150 million in new Infrastructure Investment and an Economic Impact of approximately 350 million. [ applause ] the bold infrastructure proposal we all worked on together are netted 1 billion in new projects across the state of missouri. There is so much excitement and optimism across all parts of the state. But right here in jefferson city, we shook things up even more. We stopped talking about reform and pushed through real reforms that have changed State Government for the better. Our first reorganization effort of State Government took effect this past august, impacting hundreds of state employees. These changes represented the most significant reorganization of State Government in decades. [ applause ] this was the right thing to do, to make government more efficient, more accountable, and more customeroriented to the people we serve. As part of our efforts to improve State Government, we also successfully consolidated a state prison that will save us 22 million every year. [ applause ] and on top of this, through greater efficiency, better management, and more accountability to the missouri taxpayers, we gave our state employees a muchneeded pay raise. [ applause ] an effort like that does not happen if you dont have bold leaders who are dedicated to making State Government better. So i would like to recognize all of my cabinet members seated in the rear gallery. Would you please stand and be recognized today. [ applause ] i am proud of the support and commitment you show the state every day. And it is my honor to work alongside you. We have made record improvements in just a short period of time. But i believe that there is still more to do and much more we can achieve with hard work. Of course it is important to know that these bold ideas are working. But most importantly, it is about the impact it has on the lives of everyday people in missouri. That is why my call this legislative session is to propose initiatives aimed at building stronger communities, improving education and Workforce Development, revitalizre vie revitalizing our infrastructure, and making government more accountable. It is critical to understand that all of these issues provide individuals with more opportunities to strengthen Public Safety and create healthier and more stable communities. And i have learned that no one knows more about their communities than the mayors. Seated in the upper gallery are the mayors and their chiefs of police of the four largest metro areas of our state. Mayor Quentin Lucas of kansas city. [ applause ] mayor lyda krewson of st. Louis. [ applause ] mayor ken mcclure of springfield. [ applause ] and mayor brian brees of columbia. [ applause ] all of these mayors care deeply about their cities just as i care deeply about our entire state. We all know that missouri is diverse. And so are the opinions and needs of the people within it. But regardless of what part of the state we come from, we all want our communities to be safe and we worry when we see violent criminals threatening our neighborhoods. That concern for our citizens brought the five of us together. Despite our varied backgrounds and different opinions, we have stayed focused on what we can accomplish by working together, while also showing respect and willingness to listen to one another. These mayors understand my commitment to support the Second Amendment for lawabiding citizens. And let me be clear, during my six years in the United States army, 22 years in Law Enforcement, and as a lifetime member of the nra, i have never, ever wavered my support for the Second Amendment. [ applause ] but we all have to understand the very real issues of Violent Crime affecting our neighborhoods and the potential consequences of doing nothing. By working together, we have come up with a solution to help combat Violent Crime, such as providing greater protection for victims and witnesses, providing more Mental Health resources and services, and finally, strengthening our laws to target violent criminals. [ applause ] we wont always agree, and there will always be issues that we each feel passionately about, but i am confident that by working together, the potential for our regions and the entire state of missouri is even greater. Please join me in recognizing our mayors, and our police chiefs, from kansas city, st. Louis, springfield, and columbia, missouri. [ applause ] we will continue to promote initiatives that incorporate more Mental Health resources into Public Safety, provide more targeted and tactful support of the pursuit of violent criminal, and encourage more coordination among Law Enforcement. We know some of these efforts are already paying off. Operation triple beam in kansas city, and our commitment of state personnel in st. Louis, has achieved remarkable results, including the arrest of hundreds of violent criminals, gang members, and the seizure of nearly 30 pounds of illegal drugs. With us here today are members of the Missouri StateHighway Patrol and the division of fire safety who have been part of these efforts in st. Louis. Please join me in recognizing their hard work and commitment to protecting the people of missouri. [ applause ] these results reflect real progress. And show that by all of us working together, federal, state, and local Law Enforcement, and Community Leaders, we can make a difference and keep violent criminals off our streets. I also want to point out that we included Community Leaders. As governor, i have the greatest honor and privilege of representing all parts of our state, but i have learned that the most powerful voices is often the ones in the communities. With us here today are several members of the missouri faith, Leadership Coalition. I want to thank them for stepping up, leading by action, and not just words, putting their communities and congregations ahead of politics, and helping me better understand the struggles First Communities face. These leaders are also special to me, because i know we all have a special faith. And as, it is that special faith that allows us to look past any differences that we have and come together for a purpose than any one of us, would the members of missouri faithbased Leadership Coalition please stand and be recognized . [ applause ] there is also another special guest i would like to recognize today, mrs. Bernice jones. By looking at us, you might not think ms. Jones and i have much in common, but one saturday, at a grill for glory event, we realized we both have immense love for children. Mrs. Jones has 13 grandchildren and i have six. Being a grand parent is something we both cherish. I also learned that mrs. Jones has been involved in her same community in st. Louis for over 50 years, keeping an eye on things, offering assistance to the youth, and always serving others. Sadly, she and i met because of a tragedy of children being shot in the streets, but this also made me realize Something Else very important about working together. We need to take more time to celebrate Community Leaders like ms. Jones, who are making a real difference. Not those who are trying to tear it apart and relish in the fear they create by headlines in the newspapers. When it is hard to find the light in a bad situation, sometimes the spark is all you need to get the fire going again, and mrs. Jones has been that spark in her community. She had the chance to leave, but she chose not to. Mrs. Jones stayed to fight the fight, and was truly, has truly changed lives for the better. I had the opportunity to go to mrs. Jones home, very humble home, typically like most of our grandmas would have, clean, well put together, and we set there, she sat on the couch, and i sat in a chair right beside her, and we visited, and she told me the trials she had living where she lived and things that were happening in her neighborhoods and her streets. And during that conversation, she pointed to the wall between me and her, which is about three feet apart, and she said governor, you see that hole right there . Thats a bullet hole, come into my house. People, we can do better. We can do better. And if all of us had a few minutes and a little bit of time to spend a little time with mrs. Jones, and we all worked a little harder to understand what she goes through, this state and this nation would be better off. Please help me recognize mrs. Jones in the u