2019. >> mr. speaker mr. pro tem, mr. president, honored legislators my fellow constitutional law officers.

chief of justice to members of the judiciary, my family, friends, and my fellow idaho. the constitution from the great state of idaho received mate too report to our legislature on the condition of our states. thatthis is my sixth opportunito address you i am struck how much exchange and six years are not defined by how much greater my area is that, six years ago may maybe the speaker had here at. [laughter] but for all of the change i can confidently stand before you with the sixth straight year into the state of our state is strong. stronger than ever before. [applause]

but we are doing is working. over the past year i have traveled 25000 miles across the state of idaho at times with their first lady, teresa. teresa, thank you for your love and support. [applause] one of the best and most important parts of my job visiting with parents, veterans, seniors, teachers, law enforcement officers, business leaders, faith leaders, farmers, and of course our young people. idaho is diverse. want quality of idaho's people is consistent. they continue to fight to keep our great state a special place for this generation and the next. that has always been my goal also. never settle, keep improving.

even though we are leaving the country and so many ways we could always do better. we went idaho to be the place we can all the opportunity to thrive it. work children and grandchildren choose to stay in the ones who have left can choose to return. [applause] you, the leaders of our state in this room have helped idaho surge ahead of the competition. of course of note for the least regulated states we are one of the states of states of the union. we ranked first for income growth we have relieved more tax relief per capita than any other state. idaho is one the most fiscally responsible states and recognize for our ability for any economic downturn. were number one for economic momentum. we are a top 10 state to the best economy, rivaling florida

and texas. in fact the three best dates for three business. [applause] and, on issues where it is important to take a stand, idaho has led the charge. where the first state to be on critical race theory and our school. we are taking a stand that we should not divide our children. we introduced a history curriculum for the idaho schools. one that teaches students to appreciate and respect our country. we are a leader in education freedom. idaho is a top 10 state for charter schools. i am bring a bill this session the cut more red tape while providing the transparency they deserve it. [applause]

to get more bang for our buck is the number one state per returnn on investment, education, we offer parents resources to support the children's education outside of the classroom. idaho came in first the best new open enrollment lawn because we expanded opportunities for parents to choose the public school that is best for their child regardless of their zip code. i will continue to support a fair, responsible, transparent and accountable approach to standing school choice in idaho. boy from our public schools. [applause] we also banned diversity statements and university hiring. her academic freedom policies protect free speech on campus while barring hateful dangerous

threats against the jewish people. and we are pushing back on china. i've been tiktok and state government to protect your information from the chinese government sinister motives. it cannot be sold to foreign government that want to do us harm. we successfully ended and illegal encampment on public property right across the street from the people's house a scene or drug use, sexual assault, violence, a destruction of property took place. we are showing left coast states have a stand up to actavis to take advantage of the homeless and the vulnerable. is also the state first estate to sign integrity of women's sports we will keep up the fights. back all of these steps have been a collective effort between executive effort and legislative

branch. i am proud to be a part of it. folks, what we are doing and idaho is working. we've heard me say it before and i will say it again and again, we are on a tremendous path. a powerful trajectory armitage keep going. we must continue to lead the nation and responsibility, tax relief in a strategic investment to keep up with record growth. they give growth come a couple years ago i joked that we would build a wall around idaho wouldt california pay for it. [laughter] now that half of organ once a part of idaho i'm not sure where we would build the wall. there is a recent u-haul from california to idaho cost four times as much as a return trip. idaho's record population growth and in migration comes from both opportunities and challenges. but in all seriousness, i get why people are flocking hear

from other places. in fact i can think of 3.7 billion reasons why people are coming here. we are on pace to deliver 3.7 billion in tax relief and we are not done yet. [applause] with a surplus of limited or passed last session our budget this year includes up to one or $50 million in new property tax savings on top of the hundreds of monza property tax we were already deployed to dates. people are coming here because what we are doing is working. let me show you some of what we have gotten done together. ♪ ♪ ♪ >> one of the basic roles of

government is to ensure safe and connected system of roads and bridges. they continued prosperity of our businesses including our farmers, ranchers, laggards and bro idaho depends on their ability to get their products to market. unwilling to put the time and safety of idahoans and the maintenance of our statements roads and bridges at the whims of the feds in idaho we have taken control of transportation. instead of looking to washington d.c. to solve our problems we are funding known gaps with no new taxes in providing long-term funding with long-term needs. this means we are tackling projects that a bit on the waitlist for years. ♪ i'm here to a test of the

historic investment of the legislature is providing for local and state system. transportation projects are needs not really wants. work with governor little cava in each of you as members of the legislature we have met most of these needs without raising taxes. let's continue our good work while protecting our loved ones and helping idaho's economy to grow. idaho is working together. ♪ ♪ ♪ water is a foundation of public health. economic prosperity, outdoor recreation, a strong agricultural sector and idahoans overall quality of life. most maintain our water sovereignty and not toward like

other western states in the colorado river basin such as california for the federal government has stepped in to supersede the states control of its water. since i took office i recommend and the legislature has approved more than $1 billion in additional funding for water related infrastructure projects. we dedicated roughly half of that to improve drinking water and wastewater treatment system at the local level. so idaho has safe water to drink and use. we put the other half of the $1 billion to modernize water infrastructure statewide, much of which is century old and in dire need of replacement or repair. we have made a lot of progress but we still have work to do. i appreciate all the partners who continually demonstrate that idaho, not the feds can best determine the fate of our water.

♪ there is perhaps no greater responsibility of the state of idaho than providing a strong system of public schools for idaho families. one of the duties most plainly written into the idaho constitution. as elected leaders it is not just our constitutional obligation but our moral obligation as well to prioritize and strengthen public schools. in 2019 i assembled a task force to provide recommendations on what the state of idaho can do better to meet the needs of our public schools. in just five years we have delivered. we increase funding for literacy 500% because there is no better

investment in a child in establishing early on the fundamentals. we also provided record level of flexible funds so local schools could meet local needs. and we made teaching professions more competitive by increasing starting teacher pay. we brought idaho up to five fivs ago to now the top 10 for starting teacher pay. we increase pay for teachers at all levels of experience and boosted health insurance benefits so teachers and staff can keep more of their earnings in their pockets. we cannot ignore this fact for .the people of idaho strongly support public schools. we must continue to prioritize and improve public schools. not just because the constitution requires that, but because the people we serve demand it.

♪ beyond k-12 education we are also taking unprecedented steps to prepare our young people for a lifetime of prosperity. i've always offered support for the careers that require four-year university degrees. we have historically fallen short in providing equal support to other skilled workers, jobs like trucking, linemen, firefighters, welders, plumbers, and the host of other professions like the world go round. these are good paying jobs that require specialized training. our new grant covers 80% of the cost. up to $8000 to enroll in education or training program after high school that align

with in demand career. there are hundreds of career paths to choose from. what idaho because you stay in idaho and work in idaho. we do not want our players to import workers from other places only can train our own kids here right at home. it's been extremely popular flowing away everyone's expectation. many of these kids the effort would have considered going onto a training program after high school. let's hear from a few of them. rex hi i plan to use my grant to study welding at a college of western idaho. i'm planning to use launch of money to go to university of idaho for business administration for. >> i am planning to use the grant. >> my name is derek i go to high school and i plan to use my idaho scholarship to pursue a

computer science degree. >> i plan to use my idaho lunch to get my medical education for. >> my name is alicia i plan to attend dental assistant school and that's what i'll use my idaho lodge fund for pre- >> i plan to use might launch funding for health science to create a project. >> hi i am planning to use might launch grant for electrical work. >> i'm so darn proud of all these kids for taking the initiative to apply for launch. it is a real game changer for so many young idahoans. >> so how is idaho is able to have a record tax relief on of making so many meaningful investments in our future? simple. it is how we manage our budget.

we often talk about kitchen table economics but what does that mean? we live within our means just like any idaho family must. we maintain a structurally balanced budget. there are not costs in our budget that we cannot sustain but we passed budgets on time not the 11th hour like congress creating certainty not instability. we have ample money in reserves so we can weather any economic uncertainty. we make investments where they counts. we give back whatever we can to the taxpayers to meet families and businesses. it is that easy. so easy in fact it makes you wonder why washington d.c. can't figure it out. our hard-working congressional delegation persistently stands up for it raining in federal spending and using idaho as the

example for the feds to follow pre- >> when i came to washington i quickly learned congress had a bad habit of legislating a crisis. critical work is delayed link to 11th hour bills passed to unrelated policies. that is not the way to do business. i will continue to fight to change that practice. that is just one of many ways washington d.c. needs to do more to be more like i don't. the diocese carries nearly 34 trillion in debt that has no meaningful monetary reserves. but thanks to you all idaho balances its budget annually with responsible levels of reserve in the event of a downturn. unbridled federal spending is crippling american families with high inflation unsustainable energy. but in idaho looking for delivering tax relief for these

and other reasons many of my colleagues and be what i have it idaho. i am so proud to represent the state and appreciate our common sense approach to budget and governance. washington d.c. can learn from what is right in idaho. idaho is winning. >> rest is right. idaho is setting the example not just for washington d.c. but every other state. one area where we shine as tax relief. idaho is in the top 10 for lowest taxes in the nation. we have third lowest property tax in the country we deployed another 300 billion in relief to idaho property taxpayers last year. no other state in the country has given more tax relief per capita than idaho. historic tax relief we have champion in each of the past few years is helping thousands of idaho families and businesses across our state. the crushing inflation skyrocketing interest rates

under the biden administration are holding us back. the idaho legislature year after year has stepped up for meaningful tax relief this is not our money it issuers. we need to understand that and remember it. it's because of this and other reasons such as her historic investments in education and roads then people moved idaho to live the kind of life that used to live in other parts of the country. but we are doing idaho is working. and we want your help to keep that way. we are on pace to deploy $3.7 billion in tax relief. >> what idaho is doing is working.

and we are just getting started. [applause] >> without popcorn. before we get too far i would like to congratulate the more than 12500 students who applied for launch. lieutenant governor and i traveled the state extensively over the past year to visit with many of the students. the interest in launch far exceeded everyone's expectations we are excited for these young idahoans. to keep that excitement going every legislature is receiving an e-mail right now with information on the students in their districts who applied for launch. looking ahead.

[applause] go ahead. [applause] looking ahead, we have a plan to keep idaho strong. it is called idaho works. what we are doing is working and the results speak for themselves. we mustn't never get complacent. idaho works is about taking what we know has contributory state's tremendous success and not just prioritizing its continuation, but ramping up our efforts. we will work to raise the bar even higher because it is what our citizens expect. and what they deserve from their elected leaders. but we must do so responsibly. we have all seen the trend the economy is returning to normal. idaho is seen revenue growth but at pre-pandemic levels. that means we cannot do it all. this session should be about

priorities. we must invest in those matters that are most pressing for idahoans. keep up with the transportation needs of a growing state are among the most pressing for our people. our state freshman other states think their infrastructure has been solved by one-time federal funds idahoans know we must cut and take control of her own transportation needs become all but the federal government and the driver's seat. we will not raise taxes or fees to clear out our transportation backlog building off of what we have done in recent years so let's go big. our idaho work plan proposing to the $50 million ongoing to bond for an additional $800 million a new transportation infrastructure we can save idahoans the precious time on the road. we will put eight or million enn

dollars toward the highest priority, highest valued projects that have been in the queue for way too long. the plan calls for repair or replacement of the last one third of dilapidated bridges throughout the state. 900 bridges and idaho have been rated poor or predate the moon landing. we have put $40 million into this effort in the past few years and it is time to buckle up and finish the job. let's continue to facilitate commerce with added transportation investments. especially in rural idaho. and remember this is property tax relief too. let's prioritize transportation projects that will benefit generations of idahoans so we can keep idahoans safe and enjoy it more of what we love it. [applause]

speaking of infrastructure, we put $1 billion to improve water quality and quantity in recent years idaho works plan also calls for continued expansion of water infrastructure so we can ensure a stable water supply both during the good water years and the bad ones. this is especially important now. we have been blessed with good water years but we may be headed into a prolonged drought again and prudence dictates we prepare. we had quite a scare this year will be discovered basic and the snake river. they clogged pipe that deliver water for drinking, energy, agriculture, and recreation. debilitating or states economy and costing the taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually. the team at the state department of agriculture put 15 years of

preparation into action. they deployed a treatment plan quickly and effectively. to protect our water. idaho got done in six weeks what took other states six months to get done. thank you. [applause] we must finish the fights. idaho works plan continues or states response of this highly destructive invasive species. our plan also expands access to outdoor recreation because we know idahoans quality of life depends greatly on their ability to explore and unwind enter vast open spaces. we all agree the safety and protection of our children is paramount. for directing our youth and communities from harm this all our responsibility especially when it comes to the scourge of fentanyl.

in the past year idaho began a successful public education campaign to reach people in idaho 60 million times in a few short months. and now teens and young adults are more aware fentanyl. they are more concerned about their peers using it than ever before and importantly they are talking about it with their friends. [applause] as we march on armed with better information about benton always taken many steps to reduce the supply and distribution of drugs on our streets. much of our fentanyl battle grew out of our crime fighting crew that has helped us stay laser focused on strategies to combat this deadly drug. and now it is time to expand its focus. in the coming weeks i will establish an executive order to formally establish operation as

stowe and i am adding another director for the group. to assess the threat of human trafficking and our open border. we will work even harder to address the open border and its impacts because the failure of the biden-harris administration to admit it's even a problem. human trafficking is modern-day slavery. and other bad actors are taking advantage of her open border to manipulate and abuse the most vulnerable. including children. to help curb human trafficking might work plan calls for sending to work teams of state troopers to train and act as force multiplier at art wallace on the border. as we do with fentanyl twice before. all right now troopers will learn the best tactics who smuggle an abusive vulnerable people.

the compact idaho with other knowledge to stop the perpetrators in our state. and, as they did before, our troopers will debrief and train their law enforcement colleagues all around the state when they return. [applause] >> our children need our protection in all aspects of life. including their personal lives. we do young people face greater levels of distress and isolation than any other generation before them. to help keep our children while idaho work doubles the funding for school advisors. these are the professionals on the front lines in talking to students about their future as well as her current personal struggles. idaho works also proposes a new statewide student behavioral health initiative for additional

suicide prevention. we know prevention measures work. here is an example from juvenile corrections. the progress we made in standing up youth crisis centers and assessment centers around the state has contributed to a reassuring trend. over the past five years even with the growing population the number of juveniles the state custody has dropped by half. this goes to show when we invest in prevention and intervention efforts to support every kids success, we improve lives. [applause] and there is more we can do to protect her kids online. the dominance of social media in

the past decade is an obvious reason for the decline and youth mental health. social media is addicting. it craves a form for cyber bullying. it replaces quality time with kids friends and loved ones. it makes them compare themselves to impossible artificial standards for looks and lifestyle. too that end, i'm asking my partners in the legislature to pass meaningful reform this session like legislative bodies in arkansas and utah and other states have done. to better protect our children from the harms of social media. [applause] and of course, one subject is taken up the largest share of lr attention, public education. together we have improved teacher take obey and boosted literacy. the improvements are making a difference.

we are far from meeting our obligation to maintain a general uniform and thorough system of public free common schools as required by the idaho constitution. one area in particular it needs work and that is school facilities. we've all seen pictures and videos of some idaho schools are crumbling, leaking, falling apart. in one school i visited raw sewage seeping into a space under the cafeteria. folks, we can do better. the canned we are kicking is getting heavier and we are running out of road. let's make this a priority number one. my plan proposes the largest investment ever in school facility construction and our maintenance match $2 billion.

[applause] thought only will we make learning environments more productive for students, we get a 24. this tube billion dollar investment school facility is $2 billion in long-term property tax relief. let me say that again. let's a past $2 billion in long-term property tax relief. [applause] [applause] [applause] thank you. while other states are digging themselves into record deficits and grabbing we could invest $2 billion to modernize and improve school facilities in every district in every corner of the state.

while delivering dimension $2 billion? while delivering another $2 billion in tax relief to idaho citizens. but we must do it right to provide new facility construction and maintenance. the needs of assisting exilic as we should not punish those stepped up and invested in their facilities locally. nor should we disproportionately reward those communities who have chosen not to upkeep their school buildings. we cannot wait years or decades the cost of construction has skyrocketed and deferred maintenance backlog grows daily. but also ensure we include all public schools. my proposal includes record funding for our charter school facilities also. let's dedicate the $2 billion in school facilities and now to modernize school infrastructure and address unmet critical

maintenance. [applause] my speech free at last mention one of my friends told me i use the word historic more than any other word to describe what we had accomplished. it is true. when you look back at what we've done over the past six years i cannot believe it was ever possible. we made decisions that positioned our state to propel a head in her economic performance. we strategically and thoughtfully deployed relief funds. we balance the needs of our growing state with returning more money to the people of idaho than ever before. we did it all while passing a balanced budget every year. [applause] as revenue it normalizes from pandemic eyes idaho work fund continues fiscal prudence so we are ready for any economic

conditions that might come our way. idaho works outlines the most fiscally conservative budget since the great recession. of boasters ready day funds to the max. it leaves a surplus in both budgeted years for adding cushion in case the economy slows. there to spend this year than last about $200 million to be exact. let me repeat that. it works a budget proposed spending $200 million less this year than last year. [applause] and as i said earlier we are on track to live more tax relief this year. up to one $50 million this year was $2 billion in school facilities over the next decade. if idaho can do it, washington

d.c. should do it. too that end i'm signing on as a member of the governors a debt t counsel for balanced budget amendment to the u.s. constitution. the runaway freight train of federal spending has got to stop. it is not right. it is not the founders envisioned for our great country. the u.s. constitution gives the state the power to propose a balanced budget amendment. and in the coming weeks i will announce the next steps we will take to force congress to live within the people's means. [applause] [applause] folks, what idaho is doing is working for this no need to change course but we must raise the bar and never rest on our laurels. history may not remember our names and faces we have an opportunity that while we are here to create a lasting legacy

of good government. i like to end by quoting what are my good friends and mentors. perhaps not known for his patients, he recounted his first week of the legislature in this chamber. i which he reportedly stood and said mr. speaker, let's get this show on the road. that of course was governor phil we lost phil this year, last year. he was the epitome of a public service. his legacy is distinguished by his unrelenting human rights leadership, determined fiscal conservatism that enduring love for idaho. so let me close with an ode to governor batch and say emphatically let's get this show on the road. let's get to work for the people of idaho. let's focus on the big thing and let's all aspire to lead a legacy that will outlive us all. god bless idaho. [applause]