For education reform and energy production. This is 45 minutes. [applause] oh, okay. All right. Thank you. Good morning. [applause] thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Hi. Well, good morning, here it is truly an honor to be here. President driskill, speaker sommers, members of the 67th legislature, jennie. Ginny and i thank you for this invitation to be here, but before i begin, i would like to take a moment to remember two remarkable people, senator john hines is served in this chamber, and bobbi a barrasso, the belovd wife of our senior senator john barrasso. Lets take a moment. Both of those individuals lived each day for wyoming, and i thank you for honoring them. Secretary gray, auditor was seen this, treasurer meier, superintendent taken felder, chief justice fox, i think you will win this one again, but i do look forward to your remarks, hopefully they are longer than mine. Justice boomgaarden, justice gray, justice fenn, and Justice Kautz, i would like to ask Justice Kautz to stand for a moment so we may recognize him is enough to . Hes right there. Oh, my god, thank you. [applause] Justice Kautz. [applause] Justice Kautz, i never miss anything by the way. Justice kautz is going to be retiring next month, and so your service both to the judiciary and supreme court, we truly, truly appreciate. Now, im going t to ask you to stand. With several peopleali i woulde to recognize so we can probably get through this. Ive got to be the good chief justice in the competition who has the shortest speech i like to ask vice chairman mike ute of the eastern shoshone tribe. [applause] chairman lloyd goggles would be here but he had an emergency on the way down here. He is in wheatland and will try to get down to we can honor him as well. But but i have to say for both tribes it is been an incredible honor and we made remarkable progress over the years. I would also like to recognize Major GeneralStacey Jo Huser of the new commander of the 20th air force Global Strike command, stationed here at francis e. Warren. Welcome neighbor. [applause] Major General, we thank you and all the members of our armed forces for your service and for keeping us safe. Thank you. Here at home our National Guard is the sword and the shield, as joey porter likes to say, and currently with more than 150 cardmembers deployed overseas and far away from the families. The general and i visited them laste month. And have to kelly we can be very proud of our wyoming error card. We can pray for them and their safety and too all members of wyomings nationalwy guard. Brigadier general michelle mulberry is here. [applause] brigadier, we congratulate you on your recent appointment as director of joint staff of wyoming guard. Thank you for your service. And i think you all just heard Sergeant Rebecca bridger of sheridan saying that their sweetest song, National Anthem on earth. She is also miss wyoming. [applause] these many women know the meaning of service. And will you join me in thanking all of our military and their families for their service. [applause] and let us never forget [applause] let us never forget our prisoners of war are are missing in action. We want them home. God bless america. Please be seated. And so distinguished guests, friends, family comes citizens of wyoming both your in this chamber and online, without further ado, thank you for your well welcome. It is indeed a privilege to havn this opportunity to address you again at the commencement of this session, in accordance with article format, section four of the wyoming constitution. Let me begin by reporting to you that wyoming is a strong as it has ever been. Our economy is growing, our spirits are soaring, in the future is ours to craft it we have made tremendous progress over the past several years, evenea through adversity. And i thank you for your collaboration that is kept wyoming moving forward. Its right for us to take a moment to recognize some of our successes, because they have not come easily. A healthy economy means new businesses are relocating to wyoming, existing businesses are looking to expand, and entrepreneurs are starting new enterprises. Our unemployment is near its lowest mark in 15 years, and wages are growing. We should celebrate that more people are working in wyoming today than there were in february 2020. And poorly, wyoming has earned National Recognition as a leader in balancing energy and the environment. Today, wyoming agriculture is expanding, its more diverse, and it enjoys great marketing opportunities. Innovation in business and finance has garnered wyoming a prominent spot internationally. Manufacturing is advancing and continues to gain. And tourism is on the rise. I work in education and Workforce Development shows our commitment to fostering an educated, ambitious, and capable workforce. These are all good things. They show that wyoming is open for business, constantly seeking to innovate and improve. And i can proudly say that wyoming is on a roll. And that is despite a we know best federal government that openly obstructs the very industries that have anchoredth our economy for over a century. Wyoming citizens know just how misguided the Biden Administrations warped and unwise pursuit of its agenda to limit Domestic Production of coal, oil and gas is. We all pay for it in higher electricity rates, gas prices, and heating costs. Wyoming people know how these policies have left our nation more vulnerable and put our economy, our very way of life, at risk. As governor i cant be as blunt as my Rancho Cordova wants me to be. So in tellingo you how bad the Biden Administration policy b i, let me borrow a phrase from general Norman Schwarzkopf and declared to one and all that the biden Energy Policy is pure, unadulterated bovine scatology. [applause] tony, i did it. Every spring before turning out, jennie and i, just like other branches in wyoming, brand courthouse. Its an important job and must be done well. It establishes ownership of repairs calves for life on the range. Everyone has their favorite approach. Jeannie swears by a table while i usually swear at it. Now im a bit more traditional but i still had to omit the roping brandies can turn into a circus or a demolition derby, especially if the crew does not focus or experienced. A good experience crew works magic. Casket process properly, efficiently, and with a minimum of stress calves. I will execute a brain is a thing of beauty and an achievementt to be proud of. I bad one is misery. That is what a good crew tends to get asked back year after year. Legislatures are bit like a branding crew. They come together every year for a few days with specific work to get done. Job one this year is to pass a budget. You have a good crew, and those are lots of opinions, theres also commitment here and expertise. You know there are times at branding when someone will try to tackle a calf linebacker. They the catholic it loose, e starts bucking, coolers and crew get trampled andy cohen tries to catch the calf. People know that, seeing that . Chaos ensues, chaos like what we see in washington, d. C. E an excellent Legislature Like an excellent branding crew does it work with an eye to whats important. Now its an election years we all know there might be temptationmp for someone to tryo tackle a calf during the session, but im confident the task at hand, setting the budget for the next two years, is serious enough that folks will keep their attention on meeting the needs of wyoming people. This is not washington. Wyoming folks are focused on solutions and not politics. This year will be a new experience for some of you. Its been a while since wyoming has seen a normal budget cycle. We have weathered extreme fluctuations in revenue because we are conservative with the peoples money. We safer unexpected challenges and address them prudently. The budget i i presented to yu keeps general funding flat flat. Keeps general funding flat when compared to 2021. In and im grateful for the work of the joint Appropriations Committee as well as it chairs senator nethercott and representative nicholas for their careful scrutiny of it. At its core this is a conservative and balanced budget oriented to addressing citizens concerns, our economic wellbeing, and our savings. Evidently, others share my appreciation for wyomingsac approach to government because many have decided toak make wyoming their new home. I imagine they admire our conservative values, our commitment to freedom, and are fiercely independent nature. It is great to have new neighbors. Still, we generally hope they respect the legacy of those who made wyoming what it is. But for those of us who already live here, when folks buy property raises are assessed valuations and hence the property tax that we owe. That hits those living on low or fixed incomes especially hard. And wyoming homeowners need relief. Last year, responding to that concert concern i asked for and you provided 8 million to fund fund the Property Tax Relief program. A success by most accounts. Almost 9000 households that an average refund of more than 900. Our experience with the program prompted me to request 20 million in this, this proposed budget to provide expanded relief for those who truly need it. When you vote yes on this budget, you will be for tax relief rollable wyoming citizens, many of them seniors. The Property Tax Relief program is run at each county treasurers office. Counties are not glaciers with resources and could be for the strap if we are not cautious and how we address tax reform. My colleagues on this date on Investment Board can attest to the long meetings we sometimes have, the difficult choices weve had to come to. Weve had to carefully allocate the very limited mrg funds are granted as to meet the extraordinary needs of our counties and municipalities. Let me tell you, it is tough to tell the community in niobrarace county that we cant replace the faulty ambulance. The reality is were forced to stretch our funding for other emergencies whatever in wyoming they may occur, just like the one representative haroldson brought potential muscle. A water tank and we could only partially fund that request because we dont know when another rollins or claremont or over how or from oculus emergency may occur. Mrg finds are really important to our communities. They help defray extraordinary expenses that local taxpayers would otherwise have to shoulder alone. Your yes vote on the budget will demonstrate your support for the mrg safety net for our communities and for the people who live in them. You know, county government is not the closest government to the people. County treasurers ran the Property Tax Relief program. They and the colleagues are working with great skill every day to make sure counties have the money for roads, repair infrastructure and protect county interests. With all that in mind i want to take a moment to recognize park county treasure barb poley. Our pets help to gently but firmly break in at least two state treasurers. In fact, i was one of them. But barb is more than just the park county treasure. She is also president of the wyoming association of county officers. Shes also a valued mentor for newly elected treasurers just burning their visors. Barb, or your service it is an exceptional. Would you please stand so that we may thank you at all county officials who serve this great estate. [applause] property tax reform is a complex issue affecting county resources, roads, and schools among other issues, yet it is also pressing. And i have no doubt this legislature will seek a balance that probably addresses citizens concerns about rising assessed valuations without leaving counties or schools high and dry. And im very encouraged by the approach taken in house bill 45. A quick examination of Employment Trends in wyoming suggests wyomings economic future. Is gaining steam. Our gdp is the highest its ever been, according to our division of economic analysis. Wyoming is brimming with economic promise, and we must greet opportunity when it talks with a welltrained, prepared workforce. And thats with the wyoming innovation partnership, or wip, is all about. You will remember we set a goal to you to go go to wyoming wd establish a worldclass approach to fostering a highly skilled, ambitious, and qualified workforce. The plan called for linking the States Economic strategy with our Community Goals and an engaged our university and Community Colleges to provide the muscle for economic growth. Its taken a while to online, but wip is now yielding results. And one examplele of that is how wip helped launch the new Powerline Technology program at western wyoming community college. After an initial investment by wip, it is now selfsustaining. Owen madisen grew up. Wyoming. He loves the state and has the ambition we value. No one saw how wyoming is powering the nation, and understood what it would take to modernize and expand the grid. Like other young wyoming men and women, he recognized an opportunity and seized it. Nd now he is a wip Program Graduate who still living in wyoming and working in the energy industry. Owen, we know you have risky job working in all types of conditions to maintain power lines and bring power to the people and industries of america. You literally help keep the lights on and make sure businesses have access to affordable power. Owen, on behalf of wip and students across wyoming and your hardworking colleagues, all the way from star valley, would yu please stand and be recognized, owen . Thank you. [applause] is in there. When you vote yes on the budget this year, you are investing in the men and women who, like owen, are benefiting from wip and finding work in wyoming. Speaking of investing in wyoming, allow me to take a moment to also recognize of state employees. They are committed, skilled, resourceful, and professional. They provide many of the essential services and infrastructure that we rely on, all of which keeps our state moving forward. Roads are a vital part of that infrastructure. They facilitate the movement of wyomings remarkable mineral wealth. They facilitate the movement of li to market, and our kids to school, and our visitors to the wonders of our state. Last winter you may remember southwest wyomingng was buried under several feet of snow. Though shorthand, wyoming department of transportation road crews and highway patroll h stepped up to meet unprecedented demands there and elsewhere. When wydot brought files all over the state to assist rawlins, someone had to coordinate the effort will alsof assisting with plowing and removing snow. Rick ackerman, a foreman with the rawlins crew, stepped up. I do what needs to rick work 59 consecutive days, endured three vehicle hits while he was plowing interstate 80, and aided in the rescues of several stranded motorist. Rick, i want to thank you for showing the cowboy spirit, living each day with courage, doing what has to be done, and keep your promises. That weease stand so may recognize you. [applause] now, i want to know when thia administration started wyoming state employees were underpaid, with some even having to make ends meet with food stamps, otherwise known as snap. Thats not conservative. Thats just cheap. With your help over the past couple of years we have changed this unacceptable situation. Even after your efforts wyoming still only compensates its state employees at almost the 2022 averages for the regions. Let me emphasize that rick and all our state employees deserve a fair wage for the work they do serving us, the citizens of wyoming. [applause] and when, and when to vote yes on the budget, you are supporting people like rick and many others the need and deserve a wage that keeps up with at least the regional average. Last year i stood before you to outline the work you were doing to reimagine and innovate the delivery of education in our schools. I said we must be bold and take action, we must respect parents and that we must equip our students for success. A year later i am proud to say that we are doing just that. Superintendent degenfelder, you have been a wonderful colleague in that effort. Last fall, she and i, the board of education, the university of wyoming, and my office launched the wyomings future of learning partnership. We recently expanded this unique collaboration to include additional key partners, our Community Colleges and a School District leaders. The effort led to ride pilot programs in nine school around the state focus on student centered learning. This initiative, along with newly established charter schools, are augmenting the Educational Opportunities and choices for parents and their children. We are seeking an opportunity to fundamentally change how we educate students and creating the conditions so that every child can thrive in wyoming. And i commend districts, our teachers and the board of education for their willingness to be bold and to rethink policies and practices to achieve student outcomes. This budget funds schools, and schools of choice, foley for the next biennium. But you know, all of our innovative efforts increase funny, unique partnerships and goals would not be possible without the professional teachers in our classrooms. With us today is wyomings teacher of the year john corbin. He has been teaching social studies at wyoming, for wyoming students for 16 years. Hes an advocate for civics education, and is a participant in one of our ride pilot. Thank you, john, for recognizing the importance of adapting our kids acted educational approaches to meet the needs of a a new generation of students. John, would you please rise so we may thank you. Congratulations. [applause] you know, over this past year i and others have is crossed wyoming and visited communities to listen to the con