challenges are greater and they require a focus on science, technology, engineering and math or stem for sure. schools are partnering with businesses to create stem related internships to encourage students and to introduce them to the world of possibilities. later this month will hold a stem summit remains leading high-tech industries and thinkers will come together. ritical for laying the foundation for success in life. even during these difficult times, we know that we have to invest in early childhood in education. last year, working with the legislature, we treated new england's first educator site. it is a partnership that will help improve early childhood education in every part of the state. it would not have happened without the vision and determination of the first lady. she is a dedicated educator. [applause]

[applause] thank you. i want to point out, she is here with their son, jack, tonight. [laughter] thank you karen and jack for being here. you know maine is blessed with active anddeterm state better. we see it every day in big ways and small, whether disclamation sid churches, really pfeiffer tents degette fund-raisers are spigots to support our soldiers or students. we see it from individuals like stephen and tabitha king in the alfond foundation the

continually contribute to worthy causes and from groups like state workers to contributed more than $340,000 to their communities through our coordinated campaign. [applause] tonight i would like to also recognize richard collins, who is here with us. richard and his wife that contributed $6 million to support bop kennedy of the university of maine, providing one of the largest gifts to the school's history. it is an example of how the people of maine support their communities and partner with the government on the issues that matter. he grew up on the maine potato farm in despite great successes he never forgot about his alma mater or his state. his contribution will help thousands of students in maine's university. woody please stand in received the greetings from the assembly.

[applause] now there is a temptation, there is a temptation to look around and see our challenges and feel like the terms of our economy are being dictated by others. financiers, wall street, oil companies, they have all certainly taken their toll but come june maine voters will have a chance to take control and make a real difference in our economy. i am not talking about the 23 who are running for the office-- [laughter] said they can give this speech next year, although that is important too. i'm talking about an investment package in tax cuts that will appear on the ballot. maine has an opportunity to invest in economic development and innovation, green energy, clean drinking water and higher

education and the redevelopment of brunswick naval air station. $69 million in bonds to go to the voters in june. i understand during a recession voters have to be cautious and sometimes reluctant to improve new borrowing but the truth is we can afford not to make these investments. they will put people to work, they will make universities and colleges stronger and it will help our critical mid coast area especially with the air stations closing. this is an investment in our people, and their future. it is strategic and timely and we must make it. [applause] [applause] also on the ballot in june will be a question of posing an income tax cut. last spring we passed legislation that cuts income

taxes in maine met. "the wall street journal" editorial page call that the maine miracle. [applause] [applause] [cheers and applause] we have lowered the rate from 8.5%, one of the highest in the country, to 6.5% for people making $250,000 or less. we did it by closing loopholes in the sales tax and increasing the tax on meals and lodging to spread the burden on to visitors to come to maine but don't pay taxes here.

maine revenue service says 90% of maine families will benefit in more of the tax burden will be exported to torres for call when you are planning a family vacation you don't check to see how much the lodging taxes before you go. this is a middle-class tax break that rewards work. [applause] [applause] [laughter] if you earn a paycheck will be able to keep more of their own wages. and the lower income tax burden will attract new investors to maine with a can create needed private-sector jobs. in june hired to vote no on this misguided effort to raise the personal income tax again.

working families-- [applause] working families and small businesses deserve a tax break and maine needs jobs now. in washington, there is a loud debate centered on health care. the policy choices are far from clearcut, but the states are struggling and we need relief but in terms of increased financial support, in better policy so that everyone has access to affordable and high-quality health care. it is a big issue. touches every family and business in maine. reform is difficult work. we know that because maine has been a leader enacting the first comprehensive health reform in the country and well we know we need a national solution, we are going to continue on a path to increase access quality and reduced costs. so tonight i am announcing another part of that effort. each one of us can help to lower health care costs by taking better care of ourselves and

taking responsibility. as a doctor once told me, we can show up at the emergency room and pretend like we had nothing to do with the experience. tomorrow a new resource will be available to help mainers take control of their own health. it is not health care reform from washington or augusta but better health in the hands of the individual so by logging on to keep me well.org, people can sign up and learn more about their health status and lower their risk for disease. the confidential web site will connect people to information and resources they need to be healthier and lower the health care expenses. it will connect them to the low-cost health services and community resources through our sustained commitment to using the tobacco settlement money for improved health and the healthy maine partnerships we support located throughout the state of maine. we need systematic improvements in health care but we also have an obligation as individuals to

take responsibility. no matter the challenges we face as individuals or as a state the people of maine are always willing to help others even when money is short at home. as we work to balance a difficult budget, to set maine on the course for a prosperous future i keep coming back to how lucky we are to really live in such a wonderful place. last week the tiny island nation of haiti was devastated by an earthquake. the capital was destroyed and it is hard to imagine the scale of destruction and terrible loss of life. a country and its people precariously clinging to life. meiners are already answering the call. they rushed into chaos to provide aid and comfort inn to tell the stories of life and death. our states stands ready to do our part to help haiti as all our citizens are. [applause]

send 324 members of maine's national guard will deploy to afghanistan, whether it is at home during a disaster or overseas in the fight against al qaeda or delivering humanitarian assistance to a battered neighbor, maine's national guard is ready. everytime i meet these men and women i'm overall wound other amongst our very best in vat was proud and they keep us safe. [applause] [applause] they are alt tonight is

lieutenant-colonel diane dunn. colonel dunn recently returned from afghanistan where she led a team of 81 national guard soldiers. she is the first woman to lead a may guard batallions in iraq or afghanistan. the unit performed its mission with professionalism and courage. colonel dunn, please stand and except the greetings again from the assembly for a job well done. [applause] [applause] thank you. tonight and make this promise to the people of maine.

we will not relent. we will drive forward regardless of the obstacles that confront us. we will sacrifice today and we will be make strategic investments for tomorrow. we face hurdles and hardships, but we are not afraid to make decisions to break new ground and to build, to set the bar high, to challenge old and outdated limits for the we are called upon to act prudently and responsibly but we are called upon to act. this is not an easy time. but we are not a draft. we are well grounded in the maine values of hard work, integrity and the spirit of determination. we not try to just get by, but we are making changes so that maine can be at the forefront of recovery in a new economy. our status small enough where we know everyone, but it is big enough to get the right things done. we have the power, the ability, these deals, the resources and most importantly the people and

on january 4, 1972 former senator ed muskie came home to maine to announce he would run for president. that night he said, there's not a single problem we don't have the resources to solve if we overcome our fears, quiet our doubts and renew our search for the common good. ultimately of course what is at stake is your future and i'm not telling you that i can guarantee the best of all possible worlds. all i'm asking is that the pledge a new beginning. tonight i say to you, the future is ours to make. god bless you, god bless maine and god bless the united states of america. [applause] sis. >> sands to conclude this look at the state of the state addresses this afternoon with new hampshire governor john lyncher talked about his state's economy taxes and health

insurance. this is 45 minutes. >> madam speaker, madam president, mr. chief justice, honorable members of the governor's council, the judiciary, house and senate, and my fellow citizens of new hampshire. let me take a moment to first introduced m exceptional first lady, dr. susan lynch. [applause] [applause] i want to thank susan for her support, and for all the great work she does for the people of new hampshire. i also want to recognize a friend to all of us, someone who has spent a lot of time here in the state house and someone who has devoted his life to making a difference in the lives of

others here in new hampshire. former governor walter peterson and his wife dorothy are with us today in the balcony. let's thank them for all they have done. [applause] [applause] we all mourn the lives lost in the haitian eric flake ander said by the suffering that so many of that country's residents are enduring, and for some new hampshire residents, the tragedy is very personal as they greet

and wait news of family and friends. they are in our thoughts and they are in our prayers. in the coming days members of the new hampshire air national guard will deploy tee'd to provide assistance. arnn national guard faces an even bigger mission in the next year. more than 1100 members of the new hampshire national guard will be deployed to iraq, afghanistan and kuwait. they will leave behind their families, their jobs, and their communities. let us commit that we will be there for these brave men and women and their families during the next year. [applause] [applause]

let us pray for their safe return. and let us think of them, all of our citizens serving in the armed forces and all of our veterans for their service and for their sacrifice. [applause] i am proud to come before you today to report on the state of our great state. for the past 18 months, our state and our country have been in the grips of a deep national recession. workers lost their jobs, and businesses shut their doors. too many families lost their homes, their health insurance and their savings. we are beginning to see glimmers of light of these dark clouds. throughout this recession new hampshire has done better than most of the nation.

our state's unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the country and more than 30% below the national average. [applause] we are seeing some companies beginning to hire and some people go back to work. home sales are increasing and foreclosures are decreasing. but we must continue to help our citizens. justice we did last week when we came together to make easier for more than 8,000 struggling families to pay their electric bills. we acted to help new hampshire families in need and that is what we will continue to keep on doing. [applause] [applause]

as recovery dongs, we must remain vigilant. we must help our businesses compete so that they can succeed and grow and hired new workers. and we cannot and we will not be satisfied hampshire sisson it wants a job can get a job. [applause] [applause] and as we address the very real challenges of today, we must also seize this moment to

strengthen the foundation of new hampshire is future. in the fundamentals of that foundation remain the same, a job for every citizen able to work, a fiscally responsible state government, a first-class education for every child. access to affordable health care for every citizen. and quality of life unequaled anywhere in the nation, a business climate that allows companies to compete successfully, and one of the lowest tax burdens in the country with no sales or income tax. [applause] in every part of our state, i

meant business owners who were struggling to keep their workers on the job. workers worried about losing their jobs. business owners who need to train workers in new skills and workers who don't have the skills necessary for some new jobs. we must act to help companies stay in business and to keep their workers on the job. and we must act to help businesses start, grow and expand, to create even more jobs here in new hampshire. [applause] that is why today i am proposing new hampshire working. this three part initiative will give companies the new tools that they need to maintain their businesses during this downturn, make it easier for them to recover and help them be more competitive for the future. it will help our citizens stay

at work if they already have jobs. return to work if they are unemployed, and ensure that they are ready to work at new jobs. under the first part of new hampshire working, the state would partner with businesses and workers to provide an alternative to layoffs. companies and workers would agree to reduce hours instead of layoffs and the state would make up part of lost wages for workers to unemployment benefits. workers would keep their jobs, their health insurance and most of their income. cos would retain the skilled workers they need to recover. local businesses would keep their customers. taxpayers would avoid increase costs and with more people working, our economy would be stronger. the fur step toward economic recovery is to keep businesses and their employees working. we can and we will keep people

at work here in new hampshire. [applause] [applause] we must make it easier for businesses to hire new workers and for workers to connect to new jobs. one and pedimental hiring is the up-front cost companies they are in training new workers. that is why this spring we will launch the second part of new hampshire working, which will reduce the upfront training costs for companies and help workers get new jobs. unemployed workers will be able to continue to receive unemployment benefits while participating in up to six weeks of on-the-job training with a

potential new employer. a company will have until the end of that period to decide if the worker has the skills that business needs. for our economy to recover we must make easier for companies to hire and for workers to get new jobs. we can and we will get people back to work here in new hampshire. [applause] we must make sure that our companies can find the skilled workers that they will need to compete and to grow in the future. that is why the third part of the new hampshire working focuses on ensuring that all of our citizens are ready to work. as members of my jobs cabinet

and i traveled the state this fall, we heard a common refrain from business leaders. some, even in this economy, can't find the workers with the skills their companies need. there are job training fund, we have partnered with more than 100 companies to train nearly 5,000 workers here in new hampshire. but that only helps the workers who already have jobs. we need to increase our efforts to train workers who were still looking for jobs. i have asked our new hampshire job vacancies to develop a plan for assessing the job skills of all newly unemployed workers. workers will be able to take the results of those assessments to potential employers, giving business owners confidence that the new hires will in fact have the necessary skills. but assessment alone is not enough. if a worker lacks basic skills. that is why i am asking you to

allow the department of employment security to use the job-training funds to provide training for unemployed workers. and i also ask you today to double the job-training funds to $2 million the year beginning in 2011. for our state to prosper into the future new hampshire companies need skilled workers. let's keep good companies and good jobs here in new hampshire. we can and we will-- [applause] already, we are putting people to work repairing our roads, reconstructing water treatment plants, weatherizing 1,000

low-income homes per year in helping businesses like phos manufacturing in hampton lower their costs by becoming more energy efficient. we must continue to grow the businesses and the judge said the future right here in new hampshire. we must keep new hampshire taxes among the lowest in the nation. we should continue-- [applause] [applause] we should continue to ensure state government uses every dollar as efficiently as possible. we must ensure that we have a skilled and trained workforce and we must help entrepreneurs

in new businesses compete and succeed. clean energy holds great potential for bringing new jobs to our state. companies like kiki solar in knerr are already leaders in their field. other new hampshire businesses are developing new products with tremendous potential. warner power has created new transformers with the potential to save large amounts of energy. john lynch power burners in goffstown invented a way to retrofit boilers to make them more efficient, saving people 30 to 50% on their oil bills. across our state, inventors are creating technologies of the future but some inventors need help in the final stages of bring in their products to market. they also need help navigating the world of finance and marketing. that is why today in partnership with the university of new hampshire, i am launching,

announcing the creation of the green launching pad to help clean technology companies wrote in new hampshire. with $750,000 in stimulus funds, the university of new hampshire will put its vast expertise and resources to work, helping promising and innovative company succeed. these companies will be connected to business, science and engineering faculty, to develop finance and marketing plans and be connected with angle investors and business mentors. they will get intensive support to launch or expand their companies and to create new jobs. we can make it possible for even more companies to create the technologies that will reduce pollution, reduce energy costs and provide new sources of energy. we can and we will help these companies grow

>> i think the main thing is that a lot of share the same vision. >> there's a tremendous need for these kids. >> to see it come true is awesome. ♪ [ music ] >> we are stimulating change in our community. >> is he built riley tough? >> i absolutely adore him and respect him. >> if you're like alonzo you're going to be a great motivator. >> hi i'm alonzo mourning and this is my life:365. > ♪ [ music ] >> i taken and seen him giving it back. >> >> i'll catch him again.

>> what i think about the epidemic down here in miami. if you think of 54 percent of the kids not graduating from high school, that's a with a double murder... >> the arrest of a...

and helping with my development as a person as well as a basketball player. without those individuals i wouldn't be the person i am today. ♪ [ music ] >> hay [laughing] >> this is the first year joining in with alonzo with this union. what promoted this union? >> i want to get out in the community more. how can i do that.

alonzo was the perfect example to do this with. >> he was serious about making a difference. >> i asked him any time you're -- because he built something here. he want me to come in and jump on board. >> get ready for a exciting weekend. featuring the flash him. >> dwayne wade with improve. >> you know where he got that from, your daddy. that whole -- >> in order to ray achieve something they have to be receptive. motivation is over work. the person has got to have certain internal attributes. >> i can't look at little kid. i look at him like a little brother to him. >> it's interesting to watch those two, because it is like a

mentor-mentee relationship. >> i understood his relationship. it's similar to mine in helping young people. he told me, he said look man when you your summer group and your foundation you were my age and that hit home with me. >> you need someone to look alt and really follow. when i'm his age, when -- a long, long time from now. >> i'm going to tell him. >> i can pass the torch down to someone else as well. >> we have a plethra during the weekend that everybody can enjoy. whether it be the block party

♪ >> we're going to talk about action and taking the action right heart to the heart of our community. with another effort to improve the life of children through the summer group. >> we try to continue to create a positive atmosphere. and encourage everybody to come out. not only will we create an awareness that our young that people are facing, and we're encouraging people to give. the partnership with dwayne and myself bringing our resources together will enable us to connect with more individuals in the community. >> join us

♪

bring more awareness towards the cause and help to educate young people. >> coming up next... >> i think of chantal who is a anywayty of miami. and i think of the situation of children coming into his home, and taking this man's life. ; ; families searching for loved ones; parents trying to feed their children. but we can all do something. we can help the american red cross as it delivers the food, water, and medicine that can save lives. donate $10 by texting "haiti" to 9-0-9-9-9. visit redcross.org or call 1-800-red-cross.

thanks for your help.

had turned the corner, the tragic news came that he had passed

away. >> you think of the red skins my favourite team and i think of shawn taylor who is a knave of miami. i think of the situation of children coming into his home, teenagers, coming into his home and taking this man's life. they took this man's life not knowing that he was home, but in alternate thimpacted not only shawn taylor's, life but the lyes of everybody in his fame. if those same children vestment now because we will make a

difference in their lives. >> we'll lee here and have a private session. we're going to go through decisions and the mental. >> i want to thank you everyoner everybody for coming out because we really, really reaching out to our kids. they're going to listen to a lot of you guy. we're -- we appreciate you coming out. >> it means so much of these kids. >> i have never been to one of these things and it's so exciting. >> watch this. >> hello everybody. i'm alonzo mourning the founder of the charity. on this saturday morning you

could be a lot of different places. you're here. we commend you for that. >> how important is it alonzo for these kids to see you, dwayne wade, mega star let'ses sufficient -- functioning in a different light. >> very important. it's contagious. when you give, you've an effect on someone el's life. they feel good about you doing something for them. it encourages them to do something good for something else. it's like a cycle. it's not about material things. it's about giving love and encouragement to young people. showing them a positive way of live. that will be the most impact more in their lyes more than a dollar you may give them.

>> you can take a right or left or go to jail. it's up to you... >> too many times we come together and say dream big. pursue your passion. don't listen to anyone who tells you know. that doesn't do anything for them when i'm stacking over crack vials when i'm going to school. i need to know what i need to do to grow that into whatever my dream may be. i need just not hope but help. that's why we're here to give that today on how to create their lives. >> i want to thank you. they talked to us. coming from a -- we can think about it. >> an honour for me to be able to talk to the young people of miami and give them knowledge

to better their lives. there's so many people who adopt know the past. >> show you how to reach your dreams step by step. >> here's your homework assignment. i want you to go home and take a piece of paper and write in big letters what that dream is. i want you to ask your parents to get a four thumb tacks and tack it up over yore bed. we have got to be in the business of posting our dreams and not post bails. you hear me. boosting treatments and not bail. >> this is all about the youngsters. how does good does it make you feel when you see them pour out in doughs. >> that's it, interacting with

kids. my faff part is the youth summit. you're there and sharing. and see that they're like -- it's like a veil being lifted. especially their eyes that they can do anything. the kids have a great world in front of them that far too often they're not encouraged to explore. >> i know for a fact that the work we're doing is god's work. and i want to continue to help other individuals. again i echo this, without the help of other today, i wouldn't be here signature here today. i hope that everybody is watching this particular peace, that they go out and get involved in the lives of young people and provide opportunities for those young people to succeed because they will have an impact on your lives down the road. >> i want to see you sued.

that's the purpose of this session. >> remember what i said, in other things to happen in your life you have to surrond yourself with what? >> people. >> coming up next on my life 365. it scared the hell out of me. it was about someone that i loved. someone i was worried about my

>> 2000 i think about coming back from olympics. riding a true high. birth of my daughter. gold medal. coming off of a major season, running up on mvp. first team, all nba, all-star. you name it everything. player of the year and everything. to hit a -- hear the knews that

i've a rare kidney disorder. >> alonzo and i were at lunch and he said you've to come over. we think we have this raucid disease. the doctor explained you're going to need a kidney transplant. >> you were one of the first people that received the phone call that he had this rare condition. >> it scared the hell about. wasn't someone i loved. >> i was brought to my k quickl ltl ws going on. seed of equivalent benefit. i say lord, there's going something god to come -- good

to come out of this. >> alonzo can will himself through anything. the day was emotional. he says i got emotional when it came out. and he said, jeff let's get going. >> in 2003 and getting that kidney transplant. it got a second chance of life. my life could have gone totally left but it went right. it has to do a lot with my faith and resilience. >> mourning has fallen. he he's down thep. >> you've a knee injury saying you want to come back. what's your motivation? >> the last memory i a basketball court pro confessionally. first they wanted to put me on a stretcher and then they carried me off.

these my last memory. i don't want that to be my last memory playing pro confessional basketball. time able to step on the court again even if it's half the year or half of the season, i want to come back at 100 percent i still feel i've a lot to offer and contribute to a young miami heat team and offer my talent and leadership i can walk off the court on my own terms and then i can retire. >> i thank god for this moment. just 8 short years ago i didn't envision this moment happening. this is probably one of the greatest moments of my life and i'm honoured to be here this

today. >> coming up on my live 365... -

♪[ music ] >> the headliner for tonight, a good friend of mine, give it up to bruce. >> give it up for alonzo mourning. i want to say to people, to people -- people who are fat don't realize you're fat. i want to give you a few pointers to let you know that you're fat. if you've to put your pants in your belt before you put them on -- [laughing >> talking to me a couple of years for this. and schedules were messed up. this year it was perfect. it was a good reason and a good

cause. and it's an honour to be here this for the summer groove. and dwayne wade are involved. those are two guys doing good things in miami and florida. it's an honour for me to be a part of it. ♪ [ music ] [cheering] ♪ [ music ] ♪ [ music ] ♪ [ music ] ♪

>> alonzo i can't get as big as this guy. i want to try to do the same thing. look out for the kids and do as much as i can for the children. >> it's been a busy weekend. no sheep. at the end of the day it's all working it. it will get better and better. >> the more i'm able to help others like people have helped me, i'm creating a legacy for my kids. i know that i'm encouraging other to do the same others. that's how i want to be remembered. a person who cared about others, especially e young people. helping younpeople to succeed

and nobody will ever forget that. >> the pros is simple, getting your butt out of bed butt. >> i'm terrible at doing this part. did i psychoa release for bloopers because... >> i need a ball in my hand. i'm in heaven. i think i got the ball. >> for the company. >> he just gave me >> he just gave me >> all right, ut. g8g8g8g8g8g8g8