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Transcripts For CSPAN3 Wyoming State Of The State Address 20
Transcripts For CSPAN3 Wyoming State Of The State Address 20
CSPAN3 Wyoming State Of The State Address February 15, 2018
Thank you very much. Have a seat. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Have a seat. Thank you very much. Good morning. President , speaker, members of the 64th legislature, auditor included, treasurer gordon, superintendent, chief justice burke, members of the judiciary, members of the military, veterans, fellow citizens, my family, good morning. Today i give my eighth and final state of the state address, and in preparing it, i have had a lot of thoughts, including the speaker and president have been kidding me in recent days that its too bad, it takes about eight years to train a governor and just when you get them trained, they leave. It was a couple years ago when the president of the senate, when he was announcing me, rather than saying his excellency, he said the executioner. So it takes awhile to train a speaker and president , too. What a privilege its been to appear before a joint session each year and talk about wyoming, the state we love. I believe our work these past seven years has built a better legacy and a solid bridge to the future. We have one more year together, a little less, and i look forward to a great year. I want my last state of the state address to begin with tributes to those who work so hard for wyoming. In past years, i have identified select individuals to acknowledge but today, i want to start with the wyoming legislature. I thank you, the wyoming legislature, for working with me in a cooperative spirit for the betterment of our state. Since territorial days, the people of wyoming have counted on leaders to move this state forward and the legislature delivers. As citizen legislatures you generously give your time, skill, sweat, not just during the session but year round, for wyoming. You leave your families, leave your place of work, leave the comforts of home, not for personal gain but out of a sense of duty, concern for and love of this state and her people. To members of the wyoming house and senate who are currently serving or who have served during my tenure as governor, i say thank you. I applaud for your service and ask the audience to join me. Chief justice burke, to you and all our judges, i want to say its been an honor working alongside the
Judicial Branch
and an honor to appoint great judges in our meritbased
Selection Process
. Over the past seven years, i have appointed about half the state judiciary. That is
Supreme Court
,
District Court
and
Circuit Court
judges. The merit
Selection Process
is important because its based upon qualifications and experience. It is apolitical and it results in great judges. Our justice yes, it does. Our justices at the
Supreme Court
and judges on federal courts and around the state are committed to our communities, state and people. They are committed to a wellfunctioning
Justice System
, access to justice for everyone and the rule of law. Lets thank them all for what they do. [ applause ] its been a pleasure working with the other statewide elected officials who are here today. Especially on the boards, state loan and investment board, state board of land commissioners that we serve together on. Auditor included, it seecloud, just yesterday. State superintendent and treasurer, i thank you for your service to the state of wyoming and i have enjoyed the privilege of working with all thro three you. Thank you. I recognize the tribes today. We are neighbors and we are friends. We care about each other. Working with the tribes is important and we must continue to work together. The tribal
Justice System
is also important and i note that john st. Claire, the chief judge of the tribal court, is retiring. Judge st. Claire has been on the bench for 30 years. I recognize him this morning for his long service and commitment to tribal court. [ applause ] with recent budget constraints, two tribal liaison positions in the
Governors Office
became parttime. The liaison for the northern arapahoe tribe also serves as an amazing member of the executive council and i would ask if the liaisons and members of both tribes joining us today would please stand. We welcome all of you here in these chambers. As always, its my privilege to recognize the wyoming
National Guard
today. The guard had a busy, productive year in 2017. Every year they are busy and productive. They remain busy. Currently 198 of our guard are deployed. Joined recently by 15 for security for the next couple weeks at the
Winter Olympics
in south korea. Seeing the work of the guard at home and i have traveled to visit our troops in cuba, bahrain, kosovo, qatar, afghanistan, i have seen too many deployments and welcome homes to count. I can share with you, without a doubt, wyoming guard is the best of the best. In 1899, wyomings governor richard said of those who serve in our military they have so conducted themselves under all circumstances as to entitle them to the honor of which there is none higher of being called true american soldiers. General, please stand so we can show our appreciation to you and the guard who, without a doubt, are true american soldiers. [ applause ] i recognize our veterans today. Over 47,000 veterans live in wyoming. Our country would not be what it is, strong and free, and we would not be able to live freely as we do without them. I thank our vets and the people who support them. And i thank those currently serving in the u. S. Armed forces and the people who support them. We have made progress these past seven years. Veterans welcome home day legislation,
Vietnam Veterans
highway designation, more veteran service officers, expanded programs and services. I have been to 24 wyoming veterans welcome home day ceremonies in communities all around the state, going to some more in a couple of months. These are great occasions. They are very patriotic. They are very personal. On these occasions, i am so proud i live in a patriotic state that values and respects our veterans. Theres
Something Else
we can consider for our vets. Wyoming needs a
Skilled Nursing
center for them. We are the only state that does not have this service. In my mind, its a benefit our veterans have earned and its time wyoming delivered this service. The trains dont run on time without the hard work and care of state employees. Im proud of the work of our state employees and agencies directors and i want to thank them for their service. Finally, i recognize the many volunteers who served on boards, commissions and task forces during my tenure. As many of you know, we have so many people from wyoming who volunteer and step up, and they do a tremendous amount of work for the benefit of our state, and when they work and they work and they reach great things and do great things, every year i double their salary. For those not familiar, they make no money. When i hand the keys to the
Governors Office
to someone else in january 2019, i will leave the premises with gratitude to the voters who gave me the opportunity to serve. With admiration for legislative, judicial and executive branch employees who serve the state so well, and with knowledge that i leave a framework for important work to continue. As i look back to january 2011, when i took office, i see we have much to celebrate. We have
Smaller Government
. That is, we have smaller budget, fewer employees and fewer rules and regulations. We have downsized government and built our permanent and rainy day savings. We consolidated
Technology Services
in one place, ets, creating buying power and efficiencies. For example, where state agencies had different email systems in the past, the state now has one. We have made longterm policies that will serve wyoming for many years with an energy strategy, water strategy, ten and ten,
Forest Health
and
Outdoor Recreation
Task Force Recommendations
and now the endow initiative. A lot has been achieved already under these policies. Just a few examples. Baseline water testing, orphan well plugging, continuing efforts to establish a pipeline corridor, the forest collaborative assistance program, play clean go and development of uniform hydrographers operations manual. Im pleased to report the first five of the ten and ten projects already have start dates for construction. Because these are longterm strategy, there is more to come and im pleased to see the legislature considering senate file 14 which provides a statutory framework for continuation of the energy strategy. One of my
Top Priorities
as many of you know has been growing technology and we have done so with a state 100 gigabyte network which is double the
National Standards
for connectivity to schools. It is the envy of many states. We have not only connected fiber but also provided a connection for many of our
Industry Experts
by starting and growing an annual
Technology Summit
and an annual broadband summit. These efforts will continue to bear fruit. We can celebrate when many said it couldnt be done the delisting of grizzlies and wolves and the nonlisting of sage grass. Endangered species are a tough issue as chairmen and western governors in 201516, my initiative was to improve the endangered species act. We have moved forward. The western governors approved a resolution. We got it through the
National Governors
. Its being considered by congress and i believe theres a real opportunity [ inaudible ]. Wyoming loves wild life and we have been doing a good job managing wild life. We must never lose our leadership role in doing so. We must continue our conservation work, leveraging and building the
Wildlife Natural Resource
trust. When it comes to federal overreach, i think we have fought the good fight. The
Attorney Generals Office
has been very busy these past years, and in fact, so busy im occasionally criticized for being too litigious but i like the word litigious. The state has defended boundaries, fought a federal hydraulic fracturing rule, litigation for a coal terminal in oregon and a clean power plant. These are only a bit of the many cases the attorney general and his office have been involved in since i took office. We have taken on other difficult issues that are important including homelessness and
Suicide Prevention
. Safe to tell was launched in october 26, 2016. From then to midjanuary 2018, we received 889 tips. The highest number of reports were for suicide threats. The second and third highest were reports of drugs. One district knew they had saved two students lives in the first two months. They had the program in place and were able to intervene. [ applause ] these are just two of many stories of the importance of the successful program. In 2015, we released a home for everyone, the tenyear plan to address homelessness. We must keep pursuing the aspiration expressed in the plans title. With respect to suicide as many of you know, the rate in wyoming has been high for decades. Very high. Many reasons are cited. High altitude, rural setting, insufficient resources, isolation, illness. Theres many reasons. In 2013, i have brought up this issue in my state of the state trying to take the stigma away and bring it to the forefront of our conscience. In 2015, i talked about renewed focus on
Suicide Prevention
in a statewide initiative which included employee training. In 2016, i started an annual suicide symposium, the third to be held this spring. The symposium brings suicide to the forefront of public attention. The human toll in terms of lives lost and families shattered of course is at the center. Health programs and prevention are also part of the suicide agenda, symposium agenda. We have to in wyoming recognizing the seriousness of the problem to keep adequate resources at work on
Suicide Prevention
. We must also stay abreast of the opioid crisis. The good news in wyoming, we are doing better than most. A study of the last two and a half years shows
Drug Overdose
deaths increasing in the u. S. As a whole but decreasing in wyoming. It is good that
Overdose Deaths
are declining in our state but it remains the case that in wyoming, prescription painkillers are a leading form of drug abuse in 12 to 25yearolds. Last november, i signed a proclamation for the kickoff of the wyoming prescription abuse stake holders
Educational Campaign
they didnt know which will educate teenagers and young adults about
Prescription Drug
misuse and abuse. The wyoming abuse stake holders is working to do just that. Its a
Capable Group
and they should continue their good work with legislative support. In the last seven years, we have never lost sight of trying to improve wyoming and the
Services Provided
to our citizens. Despite a period of diminished revenue, the trimming of the budget and increasing our savings, we have continued to invest in wyomings future. The
Capital Square
project was started years ago. It will have ups and downs like any major building project but is proceeding nicely. In the long run its all positive. The capitol is the most important building in wyoming. Its inspiring to look at, inspiring to visit. It is a repository of our history, past, present and future. The legislature well before i came into office began setting aside funding for the capitol. Its important for us to continue that work. Other important projects that have moved along include the university of wyoming engineering, education and research building. The s. T. E. M. Building. The integrative test center. The research facility. The
Science Initiative
and many
Wonderful Community
college projects. So proud of the test center, funded with state and private resources, it became fully operational at the end of 2017. This cutting edge facility makes wyoming a leader in advanced coal technologies, allowing wyoming to be a continued leader not only in
Coal Production
but coal technology. Funds have been appropriated for the
Science Initiative
. Im a big supporter of this initiative and requested the release of the last of the funding in my budget message. Appropriations approved the release of funds in midjanuary and uw has now approved the final design of the
Science Initiative
building. We tackled many other projects. Just on schools, which i remind you all in 2011, i suggested we slow down new school buildings, but we have not, really. We have tackled many projects including 57 new or replacement schools, in excess of 1 billion. 19
School Renovations
and additions, about 267 million. Over 11,000 major maintenance projects for about 417 million. Theres more we can get done and theres more we can get done this session. The projects are the
State Hospital
and life resource center, theyre well planned, important projects and in my mind, must move forward to construction now. As i have said before, and i say again today, investment in wyoming is a great investment. This body has invested in wyoming. My hats off to the visionaries in this room who planned for and worked through these important projects. However, as we have invested in these projects, we must adjust to the times of constrained revenue, recognizing we cannot continue to build at the same rate and must now focus on maintaining what we have built. My budget calls for dollars, more dollars for major maintenance, recognizing deferred maintenance is, in fact, deficit spending. Before i talk about the times ahead i want to talk briefly about last year. 2017 was another year for budget reductions. Reductions have occurred in four of the last eight budgets. The budgets for some agencies, for example, the department of health and department of
Family Services
, have been cut too much. Services and programs suffer. There are other concerns associated with overcutting. For example, in the department of corrections and state fair, the 1920 budget gives us an opportunity to remedy this situation and j. C. Has begun that important work. To j. C. Members, i appreciate your work and look forward to resolving our differences in my favor. That actually wasnt in there but thats what im thinking. Budget aside, 2017 was a year to remember for the increased emphasis on
Outdoor Activities
and endow. The eclipse was a wonderful occasion. It was the first total
Solar Eclipse
to pass over the country since 1918, with out of state and international travelers, the boost to the states economy was an estimated 63. 5 million. More great events are coming. This year is the 150th anniversary of the historic fort bridge treaty. Next year on september 10th, 2019, wyoming will celebrate, wyoming will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the law that gave wyoming women the vote. In 2020, we celebrate louisa swain casting the first vote. We remain so proud that wyoming was the first government in the world to grant unconditional womens suffrage. I have appointed a wonderful hardworking council to plan commemorative events. Historic occasions like womens right to vote show the
Pioneering Spirit
that is our heritage with us still, it is part of our identity, part of our strength. We put increased emphasis on outdoors last year. New shooting sports initiatives. The wyoming top 100 amateur and the governors match and the
Judicial Branch<\/a> and an honor to appoint great judges in our meritbased
Selection Process<\/a>. Over the past seven years, i have appointed about half the state judiciary. That is
Supreme Court<\/a>,
District Court<\/a> and
Circuit Court<\/a> judges. The merit
Selection Process<\/a> is important because its based upon qualifications and experience. It is apolitical and it results in great judges. Our justice yes, it does. Our justices at the
Supreme Court<\/a> and judges on federal courts and around the state are committed to our communities, state and people. They are committed to a wellfunctioning
Justice System<\/a>, access to justice for everyone and the rule of law. Lets thank them all for what they do. [ applause ] its been a pleasure working with the other statewide elected officials who are here today. Especially on the boards, state loan and investment board, state board of land commissioners that we serve together on. Auditor included, it seecloud, just yesterday. State superintendent and treasurer, i thank you for your service to the state of wyoming and i have enjoyed the privilege of working with all thro three you. Thank you. I recognize the tribes today. We are neighbors and we are friends. We care about each other. Working with the tribes is important and we must continue to work together. The tribal
Justice System<\/a> is also important and i note that john st. Claire, the chief judge of the tribal court, is retiring. Judge st. Claire has been on the bench for 30 years. I recognize him this morning for his long service and commitment to tribal court. [ applause ] with recent budget constraints, two tribal liaison positions in the
Governors Office<\/a> became parttime. The liaison for the northern arapahoe tribe also serves as an amazing member of the executive council and i would ask if the liaisons and members of both tribes joining us today would please stand. We welcome all of you here in these chambers. As always, its my privilege to recognize the wyoming
National Guard<\/a> today. The guard had a busy, productive year in 2017. Every year they are busy and productive. They remain busy. Currently 198 of our guard are deployed. Joined recently by 15 for security for the next couple weeks at the
Winter Olympics<\/a> in south korea. Seeing the work of the guard at home and i have traveled to visit our troops in cuba, bahrain, kosovo, qatar, afghanistan, i have seen too many deployments and welcome homes to count. I can share with you, without a doubt, wyoming guard is the best of the best. In 1899, wyomings governor richard said of those who serve in our military they have so conducted themselves under all circumstances as to entitle them to the honor of which there is none higher of being called true american soldiers. General, please stand so we can show our appreciation to you and the guard who, without a doubt, are true american soldiers. [ applause ] i recognize our veterans today. Over 47,000 veterans live in wyoming. Our country would not be what it is, strong and free, and we would not be able to live freely as we do without them. I thank our vets and the people who support them. And i thank those currently serving in the u. S. Armed forces and the people who support them. We have made progress these past seven years. Veterans welcome home day legislation,
Vietnam Veterans<\/a> highway designation, more veteran service officers, expanded programs and services. I have been to 24 wyoming veterans welcome home day ceremonies in communities all around the state, going to some more in a couple of months. These are great occasions. They are very patriotic. They are very personal. On these occasions, i am so proud i live in a patriotic state that values and respects our veterans. Theres
Something Else<\/a> we can consider for our vets. Wyoming needs a
Skilled Nursing<\/a> center for them. We are the only state that does not have this service. In my mind, its a benefit our veterans have earned and its time wyoming delivered this service. The trains dont run on time without the hard work and care of state employees. Im proud of the work of our state employees and agencies directors and i want to thank them for their service. Finally, i recognize the many volunteers who served on boards, commissions and task forces during my tenure. As many of you know, we have so many people from wyoming who volunteer and step up, and they do a tremendous amount of work for the benefit of our state, and when they work and they work and they reach great things and do great things, every year i double their salary. For those not familiar, they make no money. When i hand the keys to the
Governors Office<\/a> to someone else in january 2019, i will leave the premises with gratitude to the voters who gave me the opportunity to serve. With admiration for legislative, judicial and executive branch employees who serve the state so well, and with knowledge that i leave a framework for important work to continue. As i look back to january 2011, when i took office, i see we have much to celebrate. We have
Smaller Government<\/a>. That is, we have smaller budget, fewer employees and fewer rules and regulations. We have downsized government and built our permanent and rainy day savings. We consolidated
Technology Services<\/a> in one place, ets, creating buying power and efficiencies. For example, where state agencies had different email systems in the past, the state now has one. We have made longterm policies that will serve wyoming for many years with an energy strategy, water strategy, ten and ten,
Forest Health<\/a> and
Outdoor Recreation<\/a>
Task Force Recommendations<\/a> and now the endow initiative. A lot has been achieved already under these policies. Just a few examples. Baseline water testing, orphan well plugging, continuing efforts to establish a pipeline corridor, the forest collaborative assistance program, play clean go and development of uniform hydrographers operations manual. Im pleased to report the first five of the ten and ten projects already have start dates for construction. Because these are longterm strategy, there is more to come and im pleased to see the legislature considering senate file 14 which provides a statutory framework for continuation of the energy strategy. One of my
Top Priorities<\/a> as many of you know has been growing technology and we have done so with a state 100 gigabyte network which is double the
National Standards<\/a> for connectivity to schools. It is the envy of many states. We have not only connected fiber but also provided a connection for many of our
Industry Experts<\/a> by starting and growing an annual
Technology Summit<\/a> and an annual broadband summit. These efforts will continue to bear fruit. We can celebrate when many said it couldnt be done the delisting of grizzlies and wolves and the nonlisting of sage grass. Endangered species are a tough issue as chairmen and western governors in 201516, my initiative was to improve the endangered species act. We have moved forward. The western governors approved a resolution. We got it through the
National Governors<\/a>. Its being considered by congress and i believe theres a real opportunity [ inaudible ]. Wyoming loves wild life and we have been doing a good job managing wild life. We must never lose our leadership role in doing so. We must continue our conservation work, leveraging and building the
Wildlife Natural Resource<\/a> trust. When it comes to federal overreach, i think we have fought the good fight. The
Attorney Generals Office<\/a> has been very busy these past years, and in fact, so busy im occasionally criticized for being too litigious but i like the word litigious. The state has defended boundaries, fought a federal hydraulic fracturing rule, litigation for a coal terminal in oregon and a clean power plant. These are only a bit of the many cases the attorney general and his office have been involved in since i took office. We have taken on other difficult issues that are important including homelessness and
Suicide Prevention<\/a>. Safe to tell was launched in october 26, 2016. From then to midjanuary 2018, we received 889 tips. The highest number of reports were for suicide threats. The second and third highest were reports of drugs. One district knew they had saved two students lives in the first two months. They had the program in place and were able to intervene. [ applause ] these are just two of many stories of the importance of the successful program. In 2015, we released a home for everyone, the tenyear plan to address homelessness. We must keep pursuing the aspiration expressed in the plans title. With respect to suicide as many of you know, the rate in wyoming has been high for decades. Very high. Many reasons are cited. High altitude, rural setting, insufficient resources, isolation, illness. Theres many reasons. In 2013, i have brought up this issue in my state of the state trying to take the stigma away and bring it to the forefront of our conscience. In 2015, i talked about renewed focus on
Suicide Prevention<\/a> in a statewide initiative which included employee training. In 2016, i started an annual suicide symposium, the third to be held this spring. The symposium brings suicide to the forefront of public attention. The human toll in terms of lives lost and families shattered of course is at the center. Health programs and prevention are also part of the suicide agenda, symposium agenda. We have to in wyoming recognizing the seriousness of the problem to keep adequate resources at work on
Suicide Prevention<\/a>. We must also stay abreast of the opioid crisis. The good news in wyoming, we are doing better than most. A study of the last two and a half years shows
Drug Overdose<\/a> deaths increasing in the u. S. As a whole but decreasing in wyoming. It is good that
Overdose Deaths<\/a> are declining in our state but it remains the case that in wyoming, prescription painkillers are a leading form of drug abuse in 12 to 25yearolds. Last november, i signed a proclamation for the kickoff of the wyoming prescription abuse stake holders
Educational Campaign<\/a> they didnt know which will educate teenagers and young adults about
Prescription Drug<\/a> misuse and abuse. The wyoming abuse stake holders is working to do just that. Its a
Capable Group<\/a> and they should continue their good work with legislative support. In the last seven years, we have never lost sight of trying to improve wyoming and the
Services Provided<\/a> to our citizens. Despite a period of diminished revenue, the trimming of the budget and increasing our savings, we have continued to invest in wyomings future. The
Capital Square<\/a> project was started years ago. It will have ups and downs like any major building project but is proceeding nicely. In the long run its all positive. The capitol is the most important building in wyoming. Its inspiring to look at, inspiring to visit. It is a repository of our history, past, present and future. The legislature well before i came into office began setting aside funding for the capitol. Its important for us to continue that work. Other important projects that have moved along include the university of wyoming engineering, education and research building. The s. T. E. M. Building. The integrative test center. The research facility. The
Science Initiative<\/a> and many
Wonderful Community<\/a> college projects. So proud of the test center, funded with state and private resources, it became fully operational at the end of 2017. This cutting edge facility makes wyoming a leader in advanced coal technologies, allowing wyoming to be a continued leader not only in
Coal Production<\/a> but coal technology. Funds have been appropriated for the
Science Initiative<\/a>. Im a big supporter of this initiative and requested the release of the last of the funding in my budget message. Appropriations approved the release of funds in midjanuary and uw has now approved the final design of the
Science Initiative<\/a> building. We tackled many other projects. Just on schools, which i remind you all in 2011, i suggested we slow down new school buildings, but we have not, really. We have tackled many projects including 57 new or replacement schools, in excess of 1 billion. 19
School Renovations<\/a> and additions, about 267 million. Over 11,000 major maintenance projects for about 417 million. Theres more we can get done and theres more we can get done this session. The projects are the
State Hospital<\/a> and life resource center, theyre well planned, important projects and in my mind, must move forward to construction now. As i have said before, and i say again today, investment in wyoming is a great investment. This body has invested in wyoming. My hats off to the visionaries in this room who planned for and worked through these important projects. However, as we have invested in these projects, we must adjust to the times of constrained revenue, recognizing we cannot continue to build at the same rate and must now focus on maintaining what we have built. My budget calls for dollars, more dollars for major maintenance, recognizing deferred maintenance is, in fact, deficit spending. Before i talk about the times ahead i want to talk briefly about last year. 2017 was another year for budget reductions. Reductions have occurred in four of the last eight budgets. The budgets for some agencies, for example, the department of health and department of
Family Services<\/a>, have been cut too much. Services and programs suffer. There are other concerns associated with overcutting. For example, in the department of corrections and state fair, the 1920 budget gives us an opportunity to remedy this situation and j. C. Has begun that important work. To j. C. Members, i appreciate your work and look forward to resolving our differences in my favor. That actually wasnt in there but thats what im thinking. Budget aside, 2017 was a year to remember for the increased emphasis on
Outdoor Activities<\/a> and endow. The eclipse was a wonderful occasion. It was the first total
Solar Eclipse<\/a> to pass over the country since 1918, with out of state and international travelers, the boost to the states economy was an estimated 63. 5 million. More great events are coming. This year is the 150th anniversary of the historic fort bridge treaty. Next year on september 10th, 2019, wyoming will celebrate, wyoming will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the law that gave wyoming women the vote. In 2020, we celebrate louisa swain casting the first vote. We remain so proud that wyoming was the first government in the world to grant unconditional womens suffrage. I have appointed a wonderful hardworking council to plan commemorative events. Historic occasions like womens right to vote show the
Pioneering Spirit<\/a> that is our heritage with us still, it is part of our identity, part of our strength. We put increased emphasis on outdoors last year. New shooting sports initiatives. The wyoming top 100 amateur and the governors match and the
Adventure Racing<\/a>
World Championships<\/a> are examples. Hunting and shooting sports are an important part of our states heritage. We appreciate the
Firearm Companies<\/a> that have been in wyoming for years, as well as the ones that have moved here recently or are planning to move here. They promote sports shooting opportunities, fit with our affinity for the outdoors and western traditions and promote economic diversity. In january, i hope you are as excited as i was to welcome a marquee company, weatherby, inc. , to sheraton, wyoming, the latest gun manufacturer to choose a home base in wyoming. It joins others we have recruited including magpool. The cowboy tough race has been an annual event we started in 2013 and in august 2017, the
World Championship<\/a> events race which has a 16year history was for the
First Time Ever<\/a> held in the
United States<\/a> right here in wyoming. This has helped us recognize and has helped the
Outdoor Recreation<\/a> task force recognize the value of promoting our
Great Outdoors<\/a> and the
Outdoor Recreation<\/a> task force has provided great recommendations, including creating an
Outdoor Recreation<\/a> website and office of
Outdoor Recreation<\/a> within department of state parks. These will create efficiency and increased exposure for the public. They are not costly to implement and fit with
Economic Growth<\/a> and diversification objectives. Last year gave us a good glimpse of the benefits that can accrue from increased tourism and
Outdoor Recreation<\/a>. We have an opportunity to do something very special this year and that is to move forward the wyoming womens antelope hunt. This has provided about 200 hunts, about a third devoted to hunters on scholarship attending at no cost to them, and providing nearly 60 firsttime hunters a chance to hunt big game. This event teaches conservation, ethical hunting practices and firearm safety. Senate file 3 ensures this resource for women and conservation will continue. I ask for your support for this wonderful opportunity. The
Energy Downturn<\/a> the past few years has made us take a hard look at our states economy. With 70 of the revenue coming from the
Energy Sector<\/a> when industry fell on difficult times beginning in fall 2014, our state fell on difficult hands. Wyoming has endured a number of energy booms and busts. We saw the state has tried to diversify before, usually in periods that coincide with the single governors time in office. With companies we have supported including microsoft, greenhouse data to manufacturing like
Mcginley Orthopedic Innovations<\/a> and others and with
Outdoor Industry<\/a> flush ourishing we saw opportunity to expand our economic base. With my time in office, with the
Business Council<\/a> assistance, we recruited or partnered with
Numerous Companies<\/a> including just a few, tungsten, underwriters labs,
Mcginley Orthopedic Innovations<\/a>, wyoming mall, magpool, melvin brewing, gluten free oats, cody labs, vacutech. Weatherby, microsoft and greenlougree greenhouse data, we have had success and can build on success. We required a longterm plan executed over a long term. It needed to extend beyond a governors term. Sometimes out of adversity in our case the recent
Energy Downturn<\/a>, comes opportunity. The opportunity is now initiative. I announced the initiative in november 2016, the objective is to develop a 20year
Economic Strategy<\/a> and then implement it over 20 years in order to grow and expand our economy. The legislature did great work last year authorizing the initiative and funded it with 2. 5 million. Endow took off in 2017. I hear the enthusiasm across the state for endow, particularly from our young people. I also hear skepticism. You must listen to both camps but i reject the notion that wyoming is incapable of determining its own destiny, that our future will only be determined by
Commodity Prices<\/a> or other exterior forces. Surely the equality state, the cowboy state, has a belief in selfdetermination. On the state of the state, im pleased to report the revenue forecasts have improved since my last years address. Specifically revenue is better now than it was forecast in the early 2017 and looks even better ahead. The revenue forecast increased by 140 million from october report to the january report, just a threemonth period of time. Beyond money matters, the people of wyoming have remained steadfast during the downturn. From the leaders of our towns and counties to tourism to teachers in our schools, to the
Business People<\/a> and families in our communities to the ranchers and farmers to the workers in our factories, fields, energy and other industries, to the standouts in sports and the arts, to state and local employees, the citizens of wyoming have kept us strong. With our great citizens, improved revenues, our savings, wellfunded pension plans, investments in our future and opportunities on the horizon, the state of our state is strong. The 1920 budget, the primary work of this session is one of the opportunities on the horizon. Heres where we stand. Before i took office, the standard budget had doubled over the previous decade. You and i pared it back. The standard budget i propose is 400 million less than standard budget ten years ago. Over the last two years, about 12 has been cut from the budget. The budget has been reduced, state savings have gone up. We have otherwise reduced government. I asked agencies to reduce the rules by 30 and they responded. I eliminated 197 executive orders. We consolidated agencies and services, decreased spending, increased savings and decreased in size the number of employees. This was remarkable, because as you know, governments tend to grow, not shrink. Wyoming has bucked the trend. By every measure, we have
Smaller Government<\/a> than seven years ago, with one exception. The one area where we are bigger which is good news, is the money this body has allocated, our savings. We must work for better returns and must recognize as jac has that we can put a lot of wyoming dollars to work for us right now to address shortages in education. The operating budget has gotten leaner and for some agencies, like the department of health and department of
Family Services<\/a> and a few others, the cuts in my mind have gone too far. Where overcutting has affected programs and services and people are relying on them, or created other concerns, we created the opportunity to rightsize the budget now during this session. We never want to spend too much and we havent. But if we spend too little, that is a problem as well. Going back in history again and looking at the wisdom of prior governors, i found governor warren and his thoughts regarding budgeting, he says this. While sdiesdesiring to protect treasury and prevent extravagance of every nature, you are not required to descend to parsimony. For the territory is abundantly able to pay ordinary and legitimate expenses and can well afford reasonable appropriations for placing before the world such reliable information as will bring within our borders additional wealth and population. Its notably true in the history of commonwealths that if extravagance often follows parsimonious policy and insufficient expenditures follow the unreasonable and reckless use of public funds. The golden mean between the two extremes should be your guide. Excessive appropriations and insufficient appropriations are alike, a waste of money. The former because more is expended than is necessary and the latter because the amount appropriated not being sufficient to accomplish the purpose intended, the sum expended is of no practical benefit. Governor warrens words over 125 years ago strike a chord today. The standard budget is below where it was ten years ago. Thats healthy. But for some agencies, it is below where it should be. Some
Agency Programs<\/a> cant achieve their intended purposes. The budget i recommended looks for the golden mean governor warren talked about, sufficient but not excessive appropriations. My december proposal, i recommended 2. 98 billion for biennium. I have included 5 million for governments, i have asked for money for local governments every year. I asked for 200,000 more for senior centers. 2. 2 million to strengthen critical cybersecurity. As you all know, and certainly its true with me as i go to
National Governors<\/a> meeting, cybersecurity is one of the biggest issues and risks states face. And here in wyoming, the smallest populated state, we receive about seven million attacks a month on our system. There is a need to address cybersecurity. I also recommended paying off the capital renovation project. Money for
Community College<\/a> capital construction, restoring funds cut from the board and funds to continue the state fair. The legislatures reduction last year, 400,000, which was doubled, effectively eliminated the state fair. The state fair is part of our history and our heritage and its a great celebration every year in august. Wyoming ag has and in my view, must always be a big part of wyoming and the state fair is one of the best ways to continue to make sure that next generation of farmers and ranchers is out there in wyoming. When i mention opportunities on the horizon, endow is the top one. With the
Department Report<\/a> now in hand, i ask that the recommendations of the
Endow Executive Council<\/a> be funded in full. I also request and support a
Foreign Trade<\/a> representative in taiwan. The president of taiwan and i discussed a trade representative when we met last fall and she was very supportive of this opportunity. Im sure some of you saw recent reports about how idaho is comparing to wyoming in terms of their economy. In traveling the taiwan, one of the things i noted twice now is that idaho for a long time has had a trade representative in taiwan. You go into the high end
Grocery Stores<\/a> in taiwan, they are very proud to sell u. S. Beef and their high end beef in the corners of the
Grocery Stores<\/a> is idaho beef. We can do better. A trade representative would help us that way. By addressing barriers to diversification, by providing trade representative to taiwan, by continuing to recruit companies to taiwan, we move endow forward. I note that
Work Force Training<\/a> dollars have been proposed by this body. That funding is needed to develop the skilled, educated and prepared work force businesses are looking for. I support this funding. In the same vein, i support computer science, including coding in all grades. Computer science is an important classroom subject, as important in this day and age as any. Its a requisite for students to become lifeready, work force ready. Together, overall, we have done a good job investing for the future, building at uw, building at our
Community College<\/a>s, constructing and maintaining schools, helping our towns and counties, managing wildlife well, and in many other ways. Now we have to take the next step. We have to seize the moment. We have to invest in endow. Diversification is the best way to keep our future bright by keeping more of our young people in wyoming. Endow is needed now. We ask the council to give a blueprint for a better, more divorce economy. The council made up of some of the best and brightest
Business People<\/a> and leaders is doing that. They are looking at all potential on the horizon, all the exciting possibilities from important but maybe a little bit scary
Block Chain Technology<\/a> to high tech ag, from valueadded
Energy Products<\/a> to tech startups, we have to listen and we have to act now. Its critically important. We havent recovered from the last energy bust cycle and we cannot sit around and wait for the next one. Education funding is different from the state operating budget and it alone faces an expected shortfall for years to come. The legislature has built with the guidance of experts the model for education funding. While the legislature needs to address education funding, it is up to all of us to work through the difficult challenges and as we do, we should recognize where we are doing well and where we are not. On january 17th,
Education Week<\/a> gave us its annual grades on education. Wyoming ranked seventh among the 50 states and the district of columbia. Wyoming received an aminus in
School Finance<\/a> ranking first. For k12 achievement, wyoming finished 21st. Facts, not anecdotal statements about our schools doing well or not, must lead to discussion. However, i do want to say if anecdotal stories would win the day, let me just say for all the teachers that taught my kids in the
School System<\/a> here in cheyenne, carol and i thank you for the great experience and great education and while were at it, lets thank all our wyoming teachers. [ applause ] the state has long recognized what education means. Going again to our past, wyoming territorial governor hoyt addressing the legislature in 1879 said this about education and its importance to wyoming. Heres his words. Without the intelligence of its people, no community may hope to maintain a free government. It augers well for the future of the commonwealth that at the very beginning, broad foundations were laid in the interest of education. He went on to talk about the components of the education system, saying this. Compulsory attendance, proper graduation of all the larger schools, liberal compensation to teachers, regularly organized and admirably managed institutes for the benefit of teachers, very
Superior School<\/a> buildings, these facts speak volumes for our people and give promise of a bright future. Governor hoyt highlighted wyoming has done a good job supporting. My office stands ready to work with the legislature on this tough issue but i say in advance while we look to find savings, we should do nothing that lessens wyomings longheld view on the value of a great education. Respecting the value of education, we should not shy away from looking at reasonable reductions. Nor should we shy away from looking at additional revenue and broadening our tax base. I ask this body to look again at the lodging tax and tobacco tax. Its not easy to raise revenue. I know when you did it last year, it was difficult. You did it with fees. It was difficult several years ago when we raised the fuel tax. But i would say this with regard to the lodging tax, with industry support, i believe we can reduce our general fund dollars for tourism and provide more options in areas such as education. Regarding a few other matters, the efficiency study i think was a great tool for us to learn from and i support it. Looking at the adequacy of audit and revenue positions makes sense. These are positions that help collect revenue. Looking at the balance between management and staff also makes sense. We should consider, carefully consider, the merger of the department of
Family Services<\/a> and the department of health and other areas where improving government efficiency can save dollars. As i have looked through and referenced state of the state speeches of prior governors, i have to take a moment to thank my predecessors. Certainly the living former governors, governor freedenthal, governor sullivan and all the governors who have passed. As i read their state of the state speeches, those done in territory days, those in early statehood and today, those from republicans and those from democrats, through the tough times of our state and the tough times of our country that would include world wars, great depression, the cold war, the consistent theme jumps from the words that are now history. The theme is optimism. And a strongheld belief that wyomings future will not be written just by whoever is in power in d. C. , or what
Commodity Prices<\/a> are. It will be written by you, by me, and the people of wyoming. Wyomings proud history, the men and women who gave us the state we love, did not move with timid measures or with judgment only for
Political Party<\/a> wins. They gave us this wyoming by asking first and always what is best for wyoming. To share the optimism we should all have in wyoming, its future and what we can do, i share with you the words of governor campbell, provided to the legislature in 1873. Heres what he said. The future of wyoming is assured. We who have made our homes here know that we are living in a region of boundless wealth and inexhaustible resources where labor and true endeavor are certainly and bountifully rewarded but while this is the case, other territories with no natural advantages over our own, whose only superiority consists in earnestness and ability displayed by their people in publishing to the world their advantages, are outstripping us in wealth and population. The minds are as rich, the plains as fertile and the grasses as nutritious, the air is pure and healthgiving and the climate is salubrious. There is, there can be no question as to the ultimate wealth and prosperity of wyoming. By your action or while your failure to act can retard, it cannot prevent the realization of some future day that the expectations of the most sanguine but it is in your power to hasten the day. Great words in 1873 to the legislature. Great words today. Let us join together during this session to hasten the day. Lets embrace opportunities, rightsize the budget of the executive branch, fund endow recommendations including
Work Force Training<\/a>, and continue to build on the vision and action of past and present leaders. By spending neither too much, nor too little, by continuing to invest in the future of our state and
Economic Diversification<\/a> efforts and by responsibly taking on education funding, we will serve the citizens of our state well this session. I want to close with a few additional things. First, to my staff, i cannot express strongly enough the gratitude and pride i have in my staff. No governor could ask for more. Thank you, staff, for the endless hours, days and years of serving this state and providing me amazing service. Second, personal thanks to my family. My family im sorry. They have been with me every step of the way. Having them at my side has meant everything to me. Carol, you have done wonderful things as first lady. For example, focusing on
Healthy Lifestyles<\/a> for wyomings children. With your
Literacy Initiative<\/a> and your support of the arts and education, and two books, wyoming first and with a little more funding, blazing bonnets, a book for fourth graders about 26 of some of wyomings most influential women. Simply stated, without you, i would not have this job, nor have been able to do it. First lady of wyoming, first lady to me and always, thank you. I love you. [ applause ] mary and pete, when i took office, you were young kids and there wasnt this competition as to whether youre taller than your dad. You have now sat through eight state of the state speeches and many more speeches throughout the years without squirming much. Look at you now. Marys at uw, petes a senior in high school. These youngsters literally grew up in age and in height, helping serve me at the governors residence and supporting me in every way. I love you and im so proud of you both. [ applause ] lastly, thank you, wyoming, the land and people i have had the privilege character to and determination. Wyoming is like no other place on earth and those who kault wyoming home know this. Were so fortunate to live here. I believe this century will be the best for our state with innovation, diversification, prosperity, and retention of history, traditions and natural beauty, and our people will make it so. So i close with my most ernest of thoughts. May god continue to bless this wonderful wyoming. Thank you. Cspans history series landmark cases returns this month with look at 12 new
Supreme Court<\/a> cases. They discuss the constitutional issues and personal stories behind the significant
Supreme Court<\/a> traditions beginning monday at 9 00 p. M. Eastern and to help you follow all 12 days we have a veteran guide. Landmark cases, volume 2. The book costs 8. 99 plus shipping and handling. Cspan where history unfolds daily. Cspan was created as a
Public Service<\/a> by americas
Cable Television<\/a> companies and today we continue to bring you unfiltered coverage of congress, the white house, the
Supreme Court<\/a>, and
Public Policy<\/a> events in washington, d. C. , and around the country. Cspan is brought to you by your cable or satellite provider. Next, a look at the potential conflicts of interest for
President Trump<\/a> because of his investments in russia. Rhode island senator
Sheldon Whitehouse<\/a> made remarks in an event hosted by the center for","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"archive.org","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","width":"800","height":"600","url":"\/\/ia800105.us.archive.org\/7\/items\/CSPAN3_20180215_230400_Wyoming_State_of_the_State_Address\/CSPAN3_20180215_230400_Wyoming_State_of_the_State_Address.thumbs\/CSPAN3_20180215_230400_Wyoming_State_of_the_State_Address_000001.jpg"}},"autauthor":{"@type":"Organization"},"author":{"sameAs":"archive.org","name":"archive.org"}}],"coverageEndTime":"20240630T12:35:10+00:00"}