Program to allow parents to allow their babies to work. Next, governor duceys state of the state address. [ applause ] speaker bowers, house leaders, Senate Leaders gray and bradley, members of the legislature and judiciary, my fellow arizonians, thank you so much for the warm welcome. Its great to be back. [ applause ] allow me to start with a question show of hands, who here today in this sham be was born j other than the state of arizona . S a you can see, theres a lot of us. Ill always be a kid from toledo. We have folks here from all over the country and all over the world. Its uniquely arizona. We choose to move here, live here, make this home and were not alone. As we stand here today, more than 70 of our adult citizens were born somewhere else. So were some of our greatest state icons. Leaders, like secretary of the air force, barbara barrett. Trail blazers like, raul castro. Legends like jerry colangelo. Giants like sandra day oconnor. And heroes, like john mccain and pat tillman. And the newcomers keep coming. Last year we punched through 7 Million People and left massachusetts in the dust. [ applause ] 120,000 people are moving here a year. Thats more than 300 a day. By the time i finish this speech, 14 new arizona residents will have arrived. And im known for brevity. I think its fair to say that i speak for all of us, the native arizonans and the newcomers when i say we love it here. [ applause ] its for good reason. Ladies and gentlemen, im proud to report the state of our state is strong. [ applause ] and the best part is its only getting better. Look at all happening around us, our crime rate is dropping and School Test Scores are rising. Our Credit Rating is up and our debt is way down. Household incomes have hit a record high and our poverty rate has dropped faster than any other state in the nation. [ applause ] as we enter a new decade, things look a lot different than when we entered the last one. Today, arizonas economy is more diverse. We have more manufacturing jobs than construction jobs. And were top ten in transportation, science, technology and health care. [ applause ] our National Reputation has never been better. Our relationship with mexico has never been stronger. And with the new usmca we paved the way for an Even Stronger trade relationship with our valued neighbors to the south. [ applause ] we got here by doing things our way. The arizona way. And im here to tell you you aint seen nothing yet. [ applause ] here, common sense still rules the day. Other states and d. C. Politicians might be focused on growing government, arizona grows opportunity. Our population is surging. But the size of our government is actually shrinking. [ applause ] all while providing faster, more Efficient Customer Service to taxpayers and citizens. In arizona, we believe in maximizing freedom and limiting government. We believe government should do fewer things but do the things it does well. Lets continue hacking away at the permanent bureaucracy and the mother may i state. [ applause ] the people dont need the governments permission, the government needs the peoples permission. [ cheers and applause ] we believe in the freedom to work on arizonas 50th birthday someone wisely predicted arizona will continue to be the haven for people who seek an outlet for initiative and a reward for work. That was Barry Goldwater in 1962. And that spirit, we passed useful recognition of our occupational licensing, allowing anyone in america to bring their skills to arizona and get to work. [ applause ] up in the Governors Office our phones have been ringing off the hook, red states, blue states, all wanting to replicate what arizona has done. Representative peterson, hows that for model legislation . [ applause ] the fact is, if imitation really is the sincerest form of flattering, arizona should be blushing. We were the first state in the nation to pass the america civics act. 30 others have followed suit. Only 15 more to go. Our unanimous work on opioids was the most aggressive policy in nation and prompted other states and the federal government to take notice and take action. And way back in 2016, we protected free speech on our college campuses, when it takes texas three years to catch up you know were doing something right. [ applause ] here, you can brew beer, churn ice cream and make an honest living. Now, all we need is uber and lyft back at sky harbor. [ cheers and applause ] we launched the happy Babies Program to let new parents bring their infants to work. And how do we know it was a great idea . Because in california, it got vetoed. We fired the lobbyist, freed the blow driers and along the way even managed to legalize p potlucks. [ applause ] cutting red tape we were doing it before it was cool. But the most surprising news is not everyone is mimicking us. Places like california, illinois, washington state, connecticut and new york, theyre taking the opposite approach. Higher taxes, more regulations, wasteful spending, mountains of debt. Thats the wrong way. Well stick to the arizona way. [ applause ] while those states are crushing people and businesses with burdensome regulations and unnecessary laws, the residents are flocking to arizona. Here were not just open for business were open for opportunity. For everyone. As a result, were now the number one inbound state in america. [ applause ] our economy is roaring, 350,000 new jobs since 2015. Its a reflected in our bursting general fund and growing revenues. But for those of you dont know me that well yet, spoiler alert were not going on a spending spree. [ applause ] but old habits die hard for the spending lobby. Theres a chorus of special interests scheming, plotting and clamoring for new and higher taxes. They dont seem to understand the reasons our new residents are coming here. Its not to import those bad out of state policies, its to escape them. [ applause ] so let me reiterate what ive said in five prior state of the state speeches and two inaugural addresses, because apparently it bears repeating, no new taxes. Not this session, not next session. Not here in this shchamber, nott the ballot box, not on my watch. [ applause ] were running a billiondollar surplus and somehow thats still not enough. Give us a break. Even better, give the Hardworking Taxpayers a break. [ applause ] and lets start with the ones we can all agree have sacrificed the most. Were blessed to have more than 600,000 veterans in our state. [ applause ] one of the largest populations of veterans in the country. From world war ii to post9 11, our greatest generation to our newest generation, these brave men and women are heroes to whom we as citizens owe a debt of gratitude for all the freedoms we enjoy each and every day. [ applause ] id like to ask all of the vet rants in the chamber today to please rise so we can recognize and honor your service. [ cheers and applause ] yours is a Public Service in a league of its own. As president lincoln said of our veterans, the world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. To say these individuals are great americans is an understatement. Our veterans continue to give back. We can never repay them but we can do at least do our part to demonstrate our appreciation. Our vets have already earned their benefits. Put their lives on the line. The government shouldnt be taxing their service to country. It should be honoring their service to country. [ applause ] our budget does this by eliminating all state income taxes on our veterans military pensions once and for all. [ applause ] we have a goal to make arizona home base for veterans everywhere in the country. These women and men make our state stronger. To all our veterans, everywhere, from california to new york state, arizona wants you. All of you. Youve put our country first. And now with this budget, arizona will put you first. [ applause ] eliminating tacks for out veterans is one way but not the only way we can honor our heroes, were connecting our veterans to jobs. The battlefield isnt the only place where our service men and womens lives is at risk. Once they come home they face new challenges. With suicide rates threetimes higher among arizona veterans. Our department of veteran services under the direction of colonel wanda wright is a National Leader in addressing veterans suicide. Through to be connected program, veterans are connecting with one another for support and Behavioral Health services. But more needs to be done for all arizonans struggling with this growing crisis. Its now the eighth leading cause of death in our state. This is a national problem. One needing arizona solutions. Last year, a doctor leader of the department of health serv e services convened a group of stake holders and Mental Health experts to develop a plan to combat suicide and save lives. And when it comes to our kids, in the iphone era, they face a world dramatically different than the one we grew up in. Modern technology, social media, loneliness, vaping, we need solutions that focus on the whole child. Promoting personal resilience, leveraging our community and supportive environment, lets start by increasing access to Mental Health care. [ applause ] were working with senator mcgee on a long overdue reform, Insurance Companies should be covering Mental Health just like they cover an annual physical. And were going make sure they do. [ applause ] i have called on you to get rid of old laws, today im leading by example. Moments ago, i rescinded 23 old executive orders, resulting in the elimination of 18 boards and commissions we just dont need. [ applause ] dont worry, im not going to go through the list. You wont miss them. [ laughter ] we have been on a blitz to wipe out needless regulations. 2, 2,289 gone. [ applause ] thats the equivalent of 134 million tax cut without impacting the general fund one penny. [ applause ] but were not done yet. Ive issued a new executive order with a new reform, if the government ever deems a new regulation absolutely necessary, it must first identify three others to eliminate. [ applause ] you get it. The result new regulations will naturally meanless regulations. [ applause ] overall, we are doing more with less. Our hardworking state employees are rooting out waste, they have consolidated and even eliminated entire state agencies, and they have reduced the state fleet by 767 vehicles, saving taxpayers 31 million. [ applause ] other areas of government could follow their lead. There are hundreds of unelected boards and commissions that exist in a dark corner of state government. Often escaping accountability and scrutiny. We have sought to chip away at the deeprooted cronism but there are still too many insiders and its time to clean this up. Senator has a bill that puts real people unbiased people on these boards, lets pass it. [ applause ] last year during budget negotiations, Senate Democratic leader David Bradley alerted us to something new boards. Stock piling cash and sitting on Bank Accounts of millions in reserves, all while continuing to burden real people with fees. Its time for that to end. Lets freeze the fees and free the people. [ applause ] plumbers, barbers, nurses and engineers, no one should ever have to buy their freedom back from the government. Least of all, the men and women who have served our country. You heard me say i want arizona to be the National Leader for veterans. Representative osborn got the bill for heroes and military spouses, polish your resumes, were getting rid of your fees. [ applause ] were also going to target more resources towards our trade programs with an eye toward a our Community Colleges a full restoration of s. T. E. M. And Workforce Development funding. [ applause ] in our public schools, more dollars to cte trade program that train students in the high demand careers of the future. [ applause ] 4 these are worthy and responsible investments so with money in the bank lets make them. We priorityize physical responsibility, we have learned from the mistakes of the past. This building we now own the deed. [ applause ] were sitting on our highest Credit Rating ever. [ applause ] treasure ye how about that trust fund, 6. 2 billion the largest in history. Well done. And last year instead of going on a sugar high and spending through our surplus, we brought our Rainy Day Fund to a reco recordbreaking 1 billion. [ applause ] this allows us to return dollars back to the Hardworking Taxpayers and make smart, targeted investments, like new roads and bridges. [ applause ] weve fully and permanently restored transportation dollars for our rural communities. [ applause ] the widening of our i17, state route 189, u. S. 95 in yuma, last week i called on the federal government to fund the basin bridge. [ applause ] and we cut the ribbon on the newly completed loop 202 into the west valley. [ applause ] its progress. And next on the list i10. M the phoenix tucson corridor is an economic artery for our state and it needs expanding. [ applause ] its time to accelerate completion of i10s widening in both directions. Between our two largest cities, our budget puts the pedal to the metal with the construction of a new sixlane bridge over the helo river. [ applause ] this replaces a 56yearold bridge, 62,000 people drive over it every day, thats 23 million a year. So lets break ground asap. [ applause ] we need to connect all parts of our growing state, rural areas still lack highspeed internet. Lets triple our investment in Rural Broadband grants and invest 50 million in smart highway kcorridors to install broadband along rural interstates, this will make our highways safer and smarter than ever before and pave the way to get all of rural arizona logged on. [ cheers and applause ] all throughout our priorities youll see a focus on rural arizona. Because there are 15 counties and news flash there are needs outside the great state of maricopa. [ applause ] nearly 20 years ago, arizona voters passed the tribal state gaming compact, its been a net positive for all arizonians. These begin expiring the next few years. For months weve been working to develop a modern, updated agreement, one thats regulated, safe and limited. And that preserves the culture of our state. Id like to thank all of the tribal leaders who have been hard at work on these negotiations. Its been a give and take and a worthwhile agreement is this close. We owe it to our tribes and our citizens to get this done. [ applause ] last year we came together and passed the drought contingency plan. It was the most significant water policy in 40 years. We will continue to protect lake meade, the colorado river, and our ag jobs. [ applause ] but we shouldnt be dealing with this issue one generation at a time. We need a strategic ongoing effort to turn arizona into the International Capital for water innovation. Look at all israel has accomplished, why not arizona . [ applause ] weve been a leader on water and with this approach we will be an Even Stronger leader far into the future. [ applause ] now theres no new shortage of jobs in arizona. But many vital jobs remain unfilled in our rural communities, so weve got a plan a rural jobs initiative. First, tourism and state parks, theres no place more beautiful to vacation than scenic arizona and with an infusion of new dollars were going to work with tourism director Debbie Johnson to ensure the whole world knows it. [ applause ] next, workforce. Small business is the backbone of our economy. So were launching a partnership with local first arizona to strengthen small businesses, get rural arizonans back to work and bolster our local economies. [ applause ] our Community Colleges are creating a pipeline of talent, so were expanding these efforts with a 4 Million Investment in our rural colleges. There are currently over 2,000 manufacturing Jobs Available outside maricoma apa and pima counties. Lets get these filled and attract even more. Asu, u of a and nau have also stepped up to fuel our economy and were about to pour on the gas. Regents chair has propose wad he calls the new economy initiative. An innovative approach that enhances our capacity to graduate more students for the critical jobs of today and tomorrow. 6 its just the latest effort by our universities to solve problems and to do it the arizona way. [ applause ] like working to address the National Teacher shortage, through the Arizona Teachers Academy we made a commitment to our aspiring teachers you stay and teach in arizona and well cover your college tuition. The effort is paying off. Enrollment in the Teachers Academy has skyrocketed with 2,170 students now participating. Were proud to have some of the students and graduates of our Teachers Academy here today. Ladies and gentlemen, will you join me in welcoming these new arizona teachers. [ applause ] this year we intend to build on our momentum with reforms, sponsored by state paul boyer allowing even more students to go through the academy, students seeking degrees in math and science, teachers specializing in educating blind children, arizonas future depends on these educators. Lets provide them with access so they can get to the front of the classroom debt free. [ applause ] theres still work to do to address the Teacher Shortage but a recent study by the center for American Progress is encouraging. Arizona has experienced the second highest growth in new teachers enrolling in teacher preparation programs e actually one of only five states out of 50 seeing an increase