their latest harebrained idea is the construction of a 306 in the aqueduct to slice off more of our missouri river water. we cannot let that happen. [applause] as long as i'm governor, i will not let states upstream divert missouri river water that we rely on for drinking, farming and industry. we need to protect the amount of

water we have in missouri and we need to protect the quality of water have in our state. all across our state drinking and wastewater treatment systems, many built decades ago are starting to fall apart. if you've ever had a pipe burst in your basement, or a cracked maintain your subdivision, you know how costly and annoying that can be. that's what my budget this year includes $70 million, funds already approved by the voters and the legislature, to rebuild these aging water systems now and ensure that we leave missouri's water better than we found them. [applause] our rivers and streams are part of the priceless outdoor heritage that missourians can enjoy. our 87 state parks and historic sites have been recognized as the finest in the nation for camping, hiking bicycling and paddling, with millions of

visitors every year. this is the year, this year, is our opportunity to update and renovate our state park cabins and lodges with special attention to preserving the historic structures built by the civilian conservation corps. one of those iconic see structures in our state parks is the bridge at bennett spring. it's just one of many special places that we need to preserve for generations to come absolutely. [applause] i've spoken a lot tonight about some of the challenges we must overcome to a great opportunity and build a brighter future for our state. now if i could talk about another challenge, but really a greater opportunity. strengthening and reforming medicaid. [applause] let me remind you a lot has

changed since last year. since i stood here last year missouri taxpayers have sent $2 billion to washington. those dollars are being used right now in other states to reform and improve their medicaid systems. that's 2 billion missouri taxpayer dollars. and this year there's another $2 billion at stake. if we keep standing still that's $4 billion missouri and will have lost two other states by the end of this year. across the country people are moving past the politics. republican governors in arizona iowa michigan, a jersey, new mexico, nevada, north dakota and ohio have already strengthened medicaid in their states. since last year even more republican governors have come

forward with medicaid proposals, utah tennessee indiana and wyoming. even the republican governor of alabama has indicated he may join them. many states are pursuing innovative reforms, demanding personal responsibility encouraging work -- absolutely encouraging work and cracking down on fraud. and they are using our tax dollars to do it. and where our tax dollars have gone, health care jobs have followed. states that strengthen and improve medicaid have had three times the growth and health care jobs as states that happened. hospitals are often the largest local employers in our communities. but jobs and health care which comprised one-sixth of the jobs in october the economy, are growing like they should. in fact, in the past year thousands of missouri health care jobs have been lost. hospitals and clinics have closed. and if we don't take action

more will follow. last summer an official warned notice was sent or department of economic development from the ceo at ozarks community hospital in springfield about impending layoffs. the ceo explained that his hospital was going to get 60 jobs in missouri but higher 62 new workers across the border in arkansas. and ceo road, and i quote, the reason we are hiring in arkansas and laying off in missouri is that arkansas chose to expand medicaid, and missouri did not. i fear that missouri will never recover the ground it is now losing statewide as a result of political posturing, end quote. folks, this is real. the time to move forward is now. [applause]

now, it's also really important to remember that standing still on medicaid as a human cost. the 300,000 missourians who would get health care if we move forward are your friends and neighbors. 13,000 of them are veterans. 50,000 our people struggling with mental illness or substance abuse. and tens of thousands more are working missourians who live below the poverty line. because they're working they earn too much to get medicaid. but they can't afford to buy health insurance on their own. let's work together rise above

the same old partisan fights that years ago and strengthen and reform medicaid this year. [applause] you know that when we work together we can make a real difference. just look at what we've done to strengthen our mental health system. we passed landmark legislation to help children with autism. we are building a state-of-the-art mental hospital in fulton, replacing one that opened in 1851. we put mental health professionals and team unity health centers to work hand-in-hand with local on enforcement. together, they are helping thousands of vulnerable missourians with chronic mental illness get the treatment they

need. and for the first time in 20 years, there is no longer an agonizing wait of weeks months, even years for in home services for low income missourians with developmental disabilities. that's what happens when we worked together. [applause] now, those of us in state government understand its role in protecting the vulnerable, reserving the peace, fostering greater economic opportunity and educating our children. and yet, many missourians have grown cynical about state governments the ability to help them better their own lives. that's because they believe the system is rigged against them favoring the wealthy and well-connected while ignoring hard-working folks folks who drive trucks, wait tables, stock shelves, folks just trying to make ends meet. like i said before, missourians

don't expect something for nothing. but they do expect a fair shake, and they deserve it. what good are we to the people who elected us if they can't trust those to represent their best interests? that is exactly why we need ethics reform. [applause] i've talked about it right here every year i have been governor. we have the weakest ethics laws in the nation. it's not fair, it's not right, and you and i know it. every day we don't act, the public's confidence in us continues to erode. no more excuses. let's get a meaningful ethics reform bill to my desk this year. [applause]

when we work together we can achieve great things for the people of our state. last week i was at the detroit auto show where missouri's award-winning trucks and vans once again took center stage. today, our automotive comeback may seem like it was always inevitable but back in 2009 it was anything but. the national recession and competition from overseas have dealt a crippling blow to our auto industry. by the time i took office, plans were closed or closing, in hazelwood, south st. louis north st. louis and fit and. there were rumors that ford's kansas city a simpler plan, and 4000 hard-working folks employed there, might be next.

-- assembly plant. i was not going to let that happen. as long as cars are going to be somewhere, i was determined to make sure it was missourians who are building them. [cheers and applause] the first executive order my son was great and automotive jobs task force. we also ramped up investment in workforce training. but to secure the future of next-generation automotive manufacturing in our state, we had to do more. that's why when they couldn't get it done in regular session in 2010, i called a special session to pass strategic fiscally responsible legislation that would ultimately pull our auto industry back from the brink.

and when it passed, i signed it right there in claycomo with the hard-working men and women of local 249. [cheers and applause] so it's no accident that soon more vehicles will be voted off the line at claycomo than any of the ford plant in the world, okay? [cheers and applause] it's no accident the general motors plant in wentzville continue to expand to build award-winning chevy colorado and gmc canyon. [cheers and applause]

>> and while we're at it it's no accident that motor trend's top three trucks of 2015 are all built right here in the show me state. [cheers and applause] ford gm and more than 60 automotive suppliers have invested more than $2 billion in missouri since 2010. you think bringing auto manufacturing back to the heartland wasn't easy lift? it wasn't. it require passage of two pieces of legislation during the special session, and one of them passed by just two votes. maney said it wouldn't get done. they were wrong. there were 24 members who voted for both bills who are still serving in the legislature today, including then speaker ron richard. [applause]

look at this though. two of the four -- for them are now your leaders, president pro tem tom dempsey, senate minority leader joe keaveny, house minority leader j. kabul and speaker of the house john diehl. [applause] >> these were easy votes for everyone at the time. certainly the right thing to do. so the rest of you all around your want to get in leadership and get ahead? you've got some good examples do the right thing to reach across the aisle. together we can do great things for our state. [applause] but the real credit for rebuilding our auto industry goes to the workers. wewe're joined by some of them tonight. please stand if you would

members of the uaw. [cheers and applause] today's high-tech vehicles are not your parents trucks and vans. building them takes a level of skill and craftsmanship that is just extraordinary. you guys you build the strongest, toughest vehicles in the world, and you're making a show me state the national leader in on a motive excellent and innovation. [cheers and applause] your work ethic is second to none. your product is the best in the world, quite simply. you make the show me state proud. thank you. [cheers and applause] >> think about it for a second. because of the work of the

people sitting here just a few short years ago and the work we did together, these men and women have the dignity of a good, family supporting job. those paychecks cover more than monthly bills. may help folks by cars and houses. they pay for books and baseball gloves, computers and college tuition. and put something in the collection plate on sunday. [applause] specific shout out to representative pearson. and it was made possible by the decisions made in this building. [applause] this, my friends, is what public service is all about. this is why we are here.

to create real opportunity that leaves no one behind. the fact is our state works best when everyone has an opportunity to succeed. every college student in our state deserves the opportunity to earn a degree that prepares them to compete in a global economy and into the workforce without a mountain of debt. every parent in our state deserves the opportunity to get a job that pays enough to provide for their families, and save a little, too. every farmer he wakes up before sunrise and works past sunset deserves a chance to sell his crops not just around the country, but around the globe. and every missouri and, every missouri and deserves a government worthy of their trust. [applause] that's what's expected of us.

we must demand it of ourselves and each other. i believe that we are all here for the same reasons, which brings us right back to the values instilled in me as a scout, to do our duty to god and our country to help other people at all times, and to leave things better than we found them. working together we will build a stronger missouri for everyone, and leave our great state a better place than we found it. our time is short. let's make the most of it. thank you, and god bless. [cheers and applause] >> tonight on c-span2, speeches

from some the nation's governors starting at 8 p.m. eastern georgia governor nathan deal with this state of the state address. >> c-span2 providing live coverage of the senate floor proceedings, and key public policy events. ended the weekend booktv no for 15 years the only television network devoted to nonfiction books and authors. c-span2 created by the cable tv industry and brought to you as a public service by your local cable or satellite provider. watch us in hd like us on facebook and follow us on twitter. >> on tomorrow's "washington journal," a conversation on the president's tax proposals from the state of union. our guests are the american enterprise institute and matt gardner of the institute on taxation and economic policy.

then "washington post" reporter from johnston, i will come with a preview of this weekend i will freedom somewhere we will hear from potential republican candidates for president. "washington journal" live on c-span tomorrow morning and every morning starting at seven eastern. just after tomorrow morning's "washington journal" live coverage from the i will freedom summit. among the speakers former texas governor rick perry, wisconsin governor scott walker, it usually governor chris christie, texas senator ted cruz, former arkansas governor mike huckabee, former pennsylvania -- pennsylvania senator rick santorum, sarah palin come retired neurosurgeon ben carson and donald trump. that's all tomorrow on c-span starting at 10 a.m. eastern. >> andrew keen, author of "the

internet is not the answer." >> in the old days an international age people went to work in factories. they were paid for their labor. they worked nine to five and they went home and did what they want with that money. today we are all working in these factories like google chrome like facebook, like twitter but we are unpaid labor working 24 hours a day. we are not reported and it's not even acknowledge that we are treating the value for them. and worse than that we are the ones were being packaged up as the product because of course what these companies are doing is learning more and more about this from our behavior, from what they publish come from or photographed them from her ideas come from what we buy from what we say, from what we don't say. they are learning about this they are creating add-ins that are transforming us come repackaging us as the product. so we are the ones being sold. not only are we working for free, but then we are being sold. so it's the ultimate skeptic

it's the perfect hitchcock movie. >> sunday night at eight eastern and pacific on c-span's q&a. >> michigan governor rick snyder call for quote revolutionizing how government operates in his state of the state address on tuesday. from lansing michigan, and courtesy the michigan association of broadcasters,e this is 50 minutes. [cheers and applause] >> thank you very much, wellthank yo thank you very much. please be seated. thank you for that warm welcome.lieu good evening, it is great to be with you tonight. tter let me start by recognizing lt. governor brian calley speaker. cotter, senate majority leader

meekhof, senate minority leaderin ananich, house minority leader greimel, members of the legislature, members of the supreme court members of the court of appeals, secretary of state ruth johnson, attorney general bill schuette cabinet members. ladies and gentlemen of the legislature, i also want to recognize we have consulate generals from canada, iraq japan and mexico and i also want to recognize we have representative from china with us. fellow public servants and in particular i am going to ask all member so the michigan national guard and all of our members of the military to stand so we can give you special recognition. [applause]

thank you thank you for your distinguished service in keeping us safe. citizens of michigan and last but not least i want to recognize my family, thank you for all your support. [applause] what i would ask now is for a moment of silence. over the course of the last year we lost one of our michigan service members, sgt. first class michael carthcart of bay city and in addition, we actually lost several law enforcement individuals, first responders and public safety officers in the state of michigan so i ask if you would bow your head for a moment of silence, out of respect for

their service keeping us safe. thank you. let me begin by saying we have taken on many challenges that people thought were unbelievable. we have made the old unbelievable, achievable, and we have taken on many difficult issues. michigan is a much better place today than it was several years ago. we're better, but to be open with you better is not good enough. we need to do more, we need to do more and that is what tonight is about, talking about how we go to the top. to build on the foundation we built, but go farther and better to keep up on the path of success. in terms of the talk of tonight i am going to follow my traditional format. i want to share several things from the dashboard because it's important that we're measured on the success that we achieve. i am going to talk about 2014. i am going to talk about 2015.

i am going to give you a roadmap of activities during the course of the year for key events and then i'll close. in terms of the dashboard we should be so proud. in terms of the big industries in michigan, what a great achievement. the auto industry, what a great comeback. again i hope you have the opportunity to make the detroit auto show the north american international auto show, you can see how tremendously exciting the industry is; but to give you one number that stands out since 2010 we had a 48% increase in automotive production in the state of michigan. nearly 50% increase in four years. [applause] for our food and agriculture industry, food and agriculture is critically important. you have been a shining star for us during the difficult years and they're only continually to shine brighter. we set a new hallmark, a new benchmark that many people didn't think we would achieve in

terms of the size of the industry; such as this last year was announced that the food industry in the state of michigan has now exceeded hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity. [applause] in terms of tourism we continue to do very well. pure michigan works folks, we love it. to give you a benchmark over the last few years in terms of out of state tourism for michigan, michigan, compared to just 2010 or so we are now seeing on an annual basis more than $2 million more tourists a year from out of state coming to mi than just four years ago. that's tremendous. [applause] in terms of our citizens though, we are all seeing great things. when you look at job creation in our state, we have created over 30,000 private sector jobs in the last four years. tremendous success. our unemployment rate has

dropped significantly. in 2010 in december was 11.3%. in november of this last year it was 6.7%, a 40% decrease in unemployment in 4 years. [applause] and december is coming out tomorrow. we will see if we are going to have more progress in moving michigan forward. in terms of housing values, if you compared us across the united state and you look over the last four years, how have we done? the rest of the country averaged a 16% increase and the state of michigan a 25% increase. so we are seeing those home values come back for our citizens that they deserve. [applause] well, let me jump right into 2014. one thing i would ask, and again you never hear this out of most politicians, i am not a career politician, is that i would actually ask you to hold your applause; except for recognitions of individuals because i want to get to 2015. i am excited to get there but i do want to give you an update on

what transpired this last year in terms of major accomplishments. first of all on more and better jobs, the skilled trades. one of the things i am focused in on and i know we are all excited about is to make michigan number one in the skilled trades in the united states. we started that path last year. we created the skilled trade training fund for our community colleges $50 million to invest in needed equipment for our community colleges to do that training. we created the skilled trades training fund to help companies be successful and we have seen over 10000 michiganders get additional training, job opportunities and such because of the skilled trade training fund. one thing in particular i am proud of that is not just about what we are doing today, but how we are preparing for the future is first robotics. a tremendous program we have been supporting. if you look at kids who do first robotics, the likelihood of them going into engineering or the skilled trades goes up dramatically. we were number two in the country several years ago, but over the last few years we have added teams. this last year 77 teams that is more than the other 49 states

combined. we are up to 349 teams, 110 more than california now. and we are moving to be a leader in that and i want to give a shout out to kettering university that did the first of a kind community center for first robotics teams. they have been a new leader. we have the president of kettering and i want to recognize him, but i also want to recognize a student named harrison ford not the actor the student harrison ford. i want to mention harrison in particular is he is a junior now at kettering in their co-op program. he is doing tremendously well. when he was on a first robotics team it had meant so much to him, he is now a mentor for another first robotics team in flint, the flint fire. so, this is a case of someone having success giving back, so let's give a big shout out in the balcony to dr. robert mcmahan president of kettering and harrison ford, a student at kettering. thank you so much.

[applause] keep building those robots. major things accomplished. personal property tax reform, the vote in august. it was fundamental in terms of making us more competitive. a ballot proposal passed with resounding supports. what does it mean to michiganders? hardworking michiganders will now have opportunities to work in small businesses because they are more competitive and local government has a more consistent source of revenue. that was an outstanding report. if you look at how we have done in michigan in terms of our rankings, in terms of our business tax climate over the last four years we have gone from 27th to 13th. even more importantly in terms of entrepreneurial climate in the state of michigan, we have gone from 44th to 6th. that is the kind of environment that is going to create jobs in our state.

[applause] let me talk about education. we should be absolutely proud we have been a leader in the nation with early childhood and pre-school education. the last two years we made major budget commitments; $65 million a year for a total of $130 million in an on-going basis. we created over 29,000 new opportunities for people in need, young people in need to get pre-schooled. that is outstanding and we should be proud. another thing in education i want to mention is a partnership with the attorney general. we came out with a hotline, a confidential hotline called ok2say. and, has it been successful? we'll we have gotten the first semester results back. we had over 400 tips come in and they addressed important issues such as bullying, helping suicide prevention, child abuse and it is there to also deal with potential cases of school violence. ok2say is working and we should be proud. so, i want to thank the attorney general for his partnership in that program. in terms of big things going on.

in terms of michigan with people, a huge success is healthy michigan. it launched last april. it's our version of medicaid expansion done right, involving wellness and personal responsibility. we now have over 500,000 michiganders participating in the program in just that number of months. in terms of what it means to their lives we have seen over 350,000 primary care visits now taking place. those are big numbers but the important part is, is now we are helping real life people move from being uninsured in the er and move to a preventative care environment where they have a medical home and it is something that will improve the quality of their life and save us all money. and i want to give a shout out to someone, a key mover in making it happen, he was in the house at the time, but i want to give a shout out to senator mike shirkey. [applause]

another area of achievement i am very proud of is the disability employment directive towards the end of the year. about how the state of michigan can do better about hiring people with disabilities and then training our people to better understand the challenges that people with disabilities face. i am very proud to say i did that before i became a person that can now have greater appreciation for people with disabilities. this particular circumstance i have now is only temporary, but it really has given me a much greater perspective on the challenges that someone with a disability faces. you might find it intriguing in terms of support. i actually had recommendations about how to come in tonight. one was by jet-pack through the ceiling. [laughter] my personal favorite, i like the idea of a zip-line from the balcony. [laughter] but, realistically when you have a disability you have to be thoughtful and i want to thank the work that was done to put that directive in place and now we are going to go statewide. we have a summit coming up in february. i want to give a shout out to

two people that have been leaders in that lt. governor brian calley and justice richard bernstein. [applause] our military and veterans are critically important and i'm really proud of what we have done there. one program for our national guard members is we came up with a tuition assistance program that has gotten a tremendously positive response. these people put their lives on the line for us and they deserved it and it was about time we go it. another thing that is tremendously exciting is we are leading the nation in some of our activities with our veterans. we did a partnership with the united way and they came up with a 24 by 7 365 day hot-line one stop shopping for our veterans. that's 1-800-michvet. and we are leading in the nation with that, we should be proud. with respect to our seniors. we did some tremendously positive legislation there, thanks to the silver key coalition and all the great legislators here for making

michigan a no-wait state for in-home services. and we passed legislation to deal with senior abuse in terms of being more proactive. good work again by the legislature. public safety. two or three years ago i made the point that we had four of the most violent cities in the united states in the top ten. that is unacceptable. have we fully gotten off that list? no but we have made tremendous progress. over the last few years since we had that program going to give you idea of results, the four cities, detroit violent crime is down 20%. saginaw violent crime is down 26%, pontiac violent crime down 28%, flint violent crime down 28%. we are going to keep it up. we are going to stay committed. we're going to get them off that top 10 list and that is important. [applause] thank you. in terms of the environment, we set a big goal in recycling. we have fallen behind in recycling.

we think the deposit legislation made us a leader. we actually have gotten behind in regular recycling in this state. we were lagging. so, i appreciate the direction to say let's double our goal. let's go from 15 to 30% and we set the goal to say we would get there in two years. we are on a path to get there in two years and we should be proud of that. the other thing in the environment i want to recognize is we did a really important package with our hunters and fishermen in this state. and it wasn't about getting more resources, they want to invest. it's about doing world class management based on sound science to really keep our natural resources thriving and have more hunters out there in the woods doing good work having more fisherman catch big fish. we are making progress in michigan on that front. the last topic i want to cover on 2014 is efficient effective and accountable government. a couple things is, first of all we had a very challenging year. this was a year of disasters in our state and many of you personally had to go through those experiences.

we had huge floods in southeastern michigan, floods in mid-michigan and the upper peninsula we had a huge freeze problem. we had a propane crisis in the upper peninsula we had the ebola issue. what i would say though that we should be proud both in terms of preparedness and working on these issues ahead of time, but also in terms of our response we saw tremendous response, not just at the state level but at all levels of government and the private sector coming together to deal with it. and so i want to give a shout out in particular to our first responders and in particular, the michigan state police, with colonel etue, our local emergency management people, the first responders in all of our local jurisdictions, fema, and the sba thank you for your great work. [applause] in terms of local government one thing i have to mentioned in terms of opportunities in great outcomes is the city of detroit.

we emerged from bankruptcy from the city of detroit. a tremendously hard, difficult process that many people came together to do special things that stand out. and i do want to recognize the people that really made that happen. i want to recognize the retirees who made a sacrifice, who went through very difficult times and they were with us though, to support the grand bargain. i want to recognize the hard work of the people at the dia in terms of raising resources. the foundation community for raising resources, all the great work that took place through this process to make detroit a stronger, better place. in particular, i want to thank mayor duggan. mayor, thank you and the city council for your strong effort. [applause] a gentleman, a fellow u of m alumni, you did tremendous work. we want to get him back in the state of michigan, kevyn orr.

[applause] some of the individuals who could not join us, but judge rosen and judge rhodes did tremendous work in this effort. i want to thank each and every legislator for your conference, your courage to come together to stand up as michiganders to say, we are all one state. we're strongest when we recognize it's detroit, michigan. the thing i am proudest to say after how many decades can each one of us say now that we all have common goal of not dwelling on detroit's past, but saying let's grow the city of detroit, in particular put emphasis on neighborhoods to bring them back to be a great place to live in our state. let's see detroit continue going up and mayor, you have my support and partnership in helping make that happen. [applause]

well, thank you. now for 2015. i am excited and i hope you are too when i am done. first of all i want to recognize great bi-partisan work done at the end of last year. it was about doing a bipartisan solution to deal with something we knew we had to do and that is a transportation proposal, to deal with the fact that we have rotten roads and bridges in our state. no one in michigan likes our roads and bridges. we have gotten that work done but our work isn't done. now we need to ask our citizens to support that effort in may on the ballot. what is this all about? the key issue is public safety. if you look at it and you look at our bridges, one out of nine is structurally deficient. you might have read about

cincinnati in terms of bridge challenges there. one out of nine being structurally deficient. so, when you drive michigan and you see plywood underneath the bridge, why is it there? it's keeping crumbling concrete from falling on your vehicle, that's unacceptable. when you talk about our roads and you see those potholes, just think about the issues and concerns you've had this personally. when you swerve to miss a pothole you are a distracted driver. you are putting yourself at risk and other drivers and other people. if you hit that pothole and you blow a tire you're at risk of a major accident. that is unacceptable. we need to do something folks. it's time to get it done. when you look at the cost structures we actually looked at the state of indiana and saw that on average we spend $132 more than the state of indiana for damaged vehicles in terms of road damage. that is a lot of money folks to offset the cost of this proposal. in the end what i need you to do is vote yes.

vote yes so we can have safer roads. vote yes so we can get rid of the crackling bridges and crumbling roads. vote yes so we can have stronger schools and local government. vote yes so we can have tax relief for the lower income people. there are only good reasons to vote yes. let's get it done, let's get it done in may and do it right thank you. [applause] now let me come to the most significant part of the talk tonight. this is about revolutionizing how government operates. this is time for the big vision. there is a better way to do things in government and that is what i want to share with you now. i call it the river of opportunity and let me set the stage for you. before our country was even founded why did people come to america? and, after it was founded, why do people continue to come and

why do they come today? we are the land of opportunity. that's what makes us who we are. now the issue is to have a fair chance to have that opportunity in our country. if you happen to be in the main stream of the river of opportunity and you grow up in a great family with wonderful parents supporting you you went to a good school, you got advice when you were looking for a career found a first good job, you built a career, you are on that path to great opportunity. if you look at it what is government's role in that situation? government is actually in the background it's still there it's doing things like public safety important things, but it is in the background of your life. in fact you are a contributor to helping others and you do that through multiple mechanisms, paying taxes is helping i know you may not feel that way but that is the point. you are helping to contribute to

charities, to churches to non-profits to help people. you're volunteering your time to help people. everyone in america fundamentally wants to help other people and you are one of those people doing that. i am proud to say i was fortunate enough to be in that main steam, personally. i grew up in a 900 square foot house in battle creek. my father owned a small window cleaning business and my mother was a homemaker. we never had a lot but i never wanted for anything. i accepted that and they were wonderful and i was fortunate enough to be in that mainstream of that river of opportunity, that now i can stand here as governor of the state of michigan. how do we create opportunities for those people who are not in the main stream of the river of opportunity is the question. and why do people fall out of the main stream or are not in it? in some cases, they don't have parents or they don't have parents at home. they have severe poverty in their family. they maybe in a situation where either to get to school or get to work they need transportation and it is not there creating a barrier to success. they may have an illness, they may have a disability, they need government support and

non-profit support. government moves to the forefront then and how do we help them succeed? now, how have we done this in the country. if you go back to the 1930s, we built a system that was about adding programs and these are good well-intentioned people, but if you look back over the last 80 years, what have we done? we have added prescriptive program after prescriptive program. where do we stand today? we've counted 145 plus programs already and still counting: 35 in healthcare, 40 in work force 70 in child services. the system is failing folks, that's not how you solve the problem of helping people have opportunities. what we have done is sliced and diced people into programs. we have moved away from treating them as real people. in fact in some cases we have taken some of their dignity away as a person, by putting them through so many programs. the other problem with all of these programs is what we have done. quite often we are addressing

symptoms, we are not addressing real causes, we are actually facilitating dependency on government. that's not right. we have also built a lot of bureaucracy and inefficiency in the system and that's not right. in fact if you look at it, where our society is today and you look at people who are in the main stream of the river and the people at that gap of differences only increasing. that is unacceptable and we should not take it. we need to stand up and say there is a better way to do things and how is that? it is time to set back and say let us restructure government to create the river of opportunity by understanding that we are talking about people not programs and there are five guiding principles we need to stay up and say, we should be following to help create opportunities of success for people. the first one is again, it's about people not programs, the second point is it is about root causes, not symptoms, third is

about maiming results not -- about maximizing results, not spending money in government programs. fourth it's about recognizing that is not just about government, this is about community. this is about friends and neighbors. we need to engage the entire community. we need to be the village of support together. and, fifth we need to measure outcomes and results and what's the measurement of success. it's not how many people who were fail citing or maintaining their dependency. it's how many people that were outside of that mainstream of opportunity that we have now moved into the mainstream so they can be successful. that is what this is about. the question in your mind is to say that's great talk governor but it is doable? it is absolutely doable. we have been doing it in the state of michigan on a pilot basis for several years now. now is the time to expand and roll it out. to bring it in a bigger fashion to everyone in our state. let me mention two of those programs, one is pathways to

potential a program we started several years ago where we asked caseworkers to leave the government office. they were happy to and we put them in the local schools. we have caseworkers in 219 schools and 22 counties in our state. they are now there with the kids that they're they to help, with their families seeing what their lives are like not in some government office. [applause] is it making a difference? there are many metrics and measures of success, but i will give you just one. chronic absenteeism is one of the key constraints to success. it's down by one-third in the schools where we have pathway people versus where we do not. that is success. [applause] another case is helping the structurally unemployed. the people that have not been successful getting in the workforce having that opportunity to be on that path

of the mainstream again. so, several years ago, we created this program with solely state dollars because the federal programs were simply not good enough to be flexible enough. so how has that program done? we now placed over 3,000 individuals in over 100 companies with a retention rate of nearly 70%. it is making a huge difference in people's lives and i can give you an illustration. the number one reason we found for the people we have been servicing is that they couldn't get training or work to be successful. it was a lack of transportation. and, by having the ability to have these wrapped services to look at the big picture, we have been able to work on that. this is the kind of attitude. now i want to share a story with you that goes way before community ventures to show how powerful this can be and i want to thank the people from cascade engineering and actually the department of human services for their work. this is about the story about amy valderas in terms of her

life in 1998, she was a single mother with three kids. she was living with her sister, she was looking about getting assistance. she had the opportunity to go to human services. she actually ended up with a job at cascade engineering, an outstanding company. they actually went out of their way to pay for a caseworker to be in their company to give her support and to give other people support for similar circumstances. now we are talking quite a few years later, 16 years later where is amy today? amy is a top-tier operator in the company. she is a team leader. she is training several people to be successful. she owns a home. i asked her about her three kids. she is proud, one is graduating from college doing well. the others are on the path to success. that's the kind of success we need to bring in terms of solving problems for the people. so if it would be okay i ask them to stand from cascade engineering. we have fred keller the founder of the company, joyce gutierrez-marsh of the michigan

department of human services and we have amy valderas, from cascade engineering, let's give them a big shout out. [applause] thank you for being a great role model for all of us. let's do this all across michigan. now the next steps where do we go with the river of opportunity. just as i said let's ramp up these programs. pathways to potential community ventures but let's also restructure government. let's step back and look at how we are doing things in the big picture. we've started already. one of our goals is to be number 1 in the skilled trades training and to help do that i did an executive order earlier or late last year to really put together our talent operations our workforce operations with

the medc and our economic development operations. we created the department of talent and economic development. a step to move in that direction in that part of the world. the next step is i am working on an executive order that i will issue to take the department of community health and the department of human services and merge them into one department to focus on health and human services, with supporting agencies so we can be much more one stop shopping really human focused, people focused on show to deliver great services to our citizens there. and, i would appreciate your support in those outstanding efforts. other things we need to do. we need to go to the federal government. we need to say 145 plus programs is not the answer. let's go ask for waivers and say how can we consolidate these programs so they are about a few outcomes to help people, real people, and let's do that. and then coming back to my comment about community. let's go do outreach and figure out how we do public, private partnerships to engage all of us

in helping one another, whether it's people volunteering their time. other efforts to really make sure this happens in some positive supportive way. if you stop and think about it, what is the river of opportunity the vision is, it is about creating opportunities for success, not facilitating dependency. and the mission, help people succeed not build government programs that spend. that is the kind of attitude we need. and now i am going to transition right into education, because that river of opportunity applies to education as well. two huge areas i want to mention, particularly on education. first of all we need to put a stronger a much stronger focus on what i described at pre-natal through 3rd grade. one of the important metrics in someone's life on the river of opportunity is the ability to be proficient reading by 3rd grade. how have we done? we were at 63% in 2010 and we are at 70% today. about a 10% improvement.

we can't be proud of that folks. 70% doesn't cut it. we have already done some great things that i know will improve that number such as our investment in early childhood as those kids age. that can make a huge difference in that number, but we cannot stop there. i am going to ask for additional resources when i present the budget to say let's invest more in that area. i am also asking the legislators to work with me to create a commission outside of government, with people from all sectors to say how do we look at best practices. it's a model that's worked well in places such as tennessee. so let's work on 3rd grade reading. .. [aus >> i wt t give a s oo prtative amand rice adamnkey thaou forr efftsoelp push things alg. [appuse] i've ver sn shy

retis an sators like is weee go stand u for a goo apse. the n area i somhi o critilly important. it's heseiowee highchool an higher duon. wve b artificial bunda thatate ineffies and failu poin f ourou peop. donat? that create inefficiencies in failure points for young people. what do i mean by that? first of all think about your situation and think back how did we do career counseling in high school and starting college? but people smile because you didn't get any help and very few people get the assistance they could use in terms of career counseling. we need to improve that. that is where you find career tech education at the problem is that it community college indeed where to look at how to get the programs together. we need to dramatically improve

that. again creating partnerships. then you look at accelerating getting her faster and reduce in faster and reduce in college expands. dual enrollment, middle college, other opportunities that also this week out of the intersection. we need to build a seamless system. so the users of the system don't need to figure out where they fit in what place they need to go to versus make it easy for them to get a understanding of where the career counseling as how to do it faster and better and less expensively. that is the path to success. i want to give a shout out to a group that is starting to do that and they came together to make this happen in their estimate. it is how tech that all college. is a combination of a company coming together with northern michigan university and the

school districts to say let's create a collagen for those of you that don't know to get a high school diploma and a technical certificate or credit towards an associate degree in five years. what a tremendous outcome. several people with us today i want to recognize this part of that. if you could stand, we have a junior in the program. chris ericsson president of northern michigan, john lessard corporate responsibility manager for ego mind is to pride lay, chairman of the education committee at the institution. thank you so much for your innovative work. [applause] that's the kind of creativity that makes michigan gray. thank you are coming from the bp

to visit us tonight. the final thing i want to mention on the education is to finish the work in the last session and that is finishing teacher effectiveness. teachers deserve the best tools to help them be great teachers than we should be working on that. in terms of more better job from a couple things i'd mention. first of all we create regional prosperity. we have the 10 regions across state. if michigan has come back and been strong, doing well in so many different ways, they're certain geographies being left behind and i'm talking about urban and rural areas that have not been participating. what i want to ask our 10 regions to do is identify the place of the greatest need within the region where they're willing to devote resources and will bring our resources to the table and go to the communities and help them be successful at job creation and training and make sure they are participating in the comeback of michigan. monica focused effort there.

the other thing i call for is the dialect discussion on elliot larsen. i appreciate prior discussions had, but let's keep up the dialogue and show we can do with issues of discrimination in our state. [applause] thank you. on the people front, we have a problem that we need to address. we worked on it but not good enough. and that is the case of drug abuse in ours date. the number show we have about 650,000 people at a substance abuse disorder. if you look at it in terms of death and drug overdose and drug poisoning, the number has on up fourfold since 1999. last year had a seven on here and to address the issue, but that's not good enough said

making a call now to develop a comprehensive plan that over root can do more to prevent drug abuse in our state and help these people. [applause] energy and the environment. we need a long-term knee and some are showing a special message on environmental protection. it is to be an adaptable policy because a lack of federal policy and the challenges of the global marketplace we need to focus on important things such as eliminating energy waste and conversion from coal to natural gas him an asset of the state of michigan and renewables. the other part of that as we can do better to organize ourselves some calling for the creation of the agency and energy or combine the people with energy office people, experts run how we can all work together to come up with better policies. one area in particular invention

was should be proud of mr. made tremendous progress in the upper peninsula that we've announced agreements now that can make a fundamental difference. we need to make sure agreements get executed and completed, but we can do great things and energy in our state. [applause] i am going to go fast on the next two or three because i don't want to run out of time. on monday says. we are doing great work on this year to step forward on invasive species in terms of identifying priority areas and early detection site in place and education of citizens. that is a big investment will make unlimited difference. in terms and accountable government i am asking our legislature to work on during fiscal mouth up legislation so we can see the budgetary impact in how to be more efficient.

[applause] i am watching who claps to see if we can make sure those turn into votes. we get legislation at the end of last year in an early warning system for municipalities. he didn't finish the work on schools and we need to go ahead and finish the work on schools. to give you an update on the interest, the emergency managers, since i've been governor without 11 different school districts. i'm pleased to report six of them have blocked emergency status in the seventh on the way. the system is generally working well, but the point is the early morning and the other thing i'm calling for is we need to do a scorecard for a local jurisdictions and states jurisdictions about financial performance and performance in terms of object is. let's create this easy to use scorecard as citizens deserve so we can be more accountable and transparent how were operating in government.

one subset of that i'd like to mention in the case of detroit for example and a few other communities we have a non-ported agitational development, where we have a school district, the case in detroit, charter schools. it's an environment they deserve it. they have college, career and my family needs to do more and not. i appreciate the work with the coalition led by the skillman foundation. before the first half of the year i hope to call for legislation to bring more structure and more thoughtfulness to deal with challenging situations to say the answer in my view needs to begin by saying we need to raise the standard on every educational institution whether it be a public school, charter school, eai and in bars the

high bar that the increasing bar make sure the kids get the best education possible. [applause] thank you. and i want to give a quick shout out. i have a fellow cpa has been a great help in sms is earl rupp lasky. earl thank you for your work on not. [applause] wimping import my talk about detroit or educational environments, we have awesome schools in detroit and i want to recognize that. we have a great illustration here tonight. davison elementary middle-school they have something called the techno- dragons and it's an awesome program at the middle-school students are essentially the tech support or the institution.

they are one of the most outstanding schools in detroit and the point here is even the environmentalists today the best schools you find or you find or write in detroit and we should be proud of that. but their teacher and coordinator will stand up and we will give them a big round of applause. [applause] [applause] no further roadmap for the year ahead. in february we are going to be the budget and in particular we have challenges because of tax credits from the last decade. it's going to require special work on the extra effort, but we are not beaten by some legacy of the past beard were doing smart things today and will work through those issues but in particular i'm looking towards chairman of looking towards chairman of the show got in chairman hildebrand for your leadership on the budget five years in a row on time on

balance. [applause] in terms of other things in march were going to do statewide summits with the regions on job and education and i invite you to participate. we'll do a message on criminal justice on october we have to overcome the drug abuse plan and get that in place. in terms of closing, what i'd like to say his first of all the last four years for a special honor for your governor and we showed the bipartisanship on how we can take to act above politics. we took on problems whether the grand bargain in michigan, so many different things. transportation. we should be proud of that.

but the second four years in particular is a big vision for the future. to finally step back and say there's a way to operate the river of opportunity. it's truly an opportunity to revolutionize how we operate and recognize if we work for real people. we work for them. they deserve results. they don't deserve to be a number on 15 different programs. let's do something about it. the other thing i would mention in particular is the timing of this event. in a couple hours to get to hear another speech. [laughter] what i would say i'm not as i think it's a great opportunity for you to watch both speeches. and not just watch the speeches but the outcome and results. while we solve problems in michigan, we have gridlock in washington and this is not a partisan comment.

both sides have huge issues. if you look at the positioning there are refiguring out how to take shots at one another. we don't do that here. does that make a difference? it absolutely does. wii is relentless positive action. [applause] [cheers and applause] thank you. for the historical archives, i haven't noticed that the latest of my five speeches that phrase has been used. we as for not less positive actions to solve the tough problems. were they spend both of their

time on fighting and blaming future generations. we balanced budgets repair deaths. we performed our tax system to be simple, fair and efficient. the work above politics to do great things. the grand bargain help in michigan. we lead the nation and creating manufacturing jobs. we are in early childhood education. we are going to lead the nation and careers take education in the skilled trades. we are going to lead the nation in treating citizens as real people not programs. we will continue moving michigan to the top to say we can be the vast to do the right thing by our citizens. and it's something we should be proud of. it's going to require hard work. it's going to require cooperation, understanding but is relentless positive action works, let's not talk about how

we differ. let's embrace diversity and find the common ground and take on the tough issues and solve them together because that is what citizens want. that's what they deserve. the thank you for the opportunity to share with you. thank you. goodnight and god bless the state of michigan, the united states of america in each and every one of you. thank you. [applause]

>> mr. president, i senate cloture motion on the substitute to ask the >> clerk will report the cloture motion. >> in accordance with the

standing rules of the senate coming here by move to bring to close the keystone xl type keystone xl pipeline approval act signed by 17 senators as follows. >> the reading be dispensed with. >> is there objection? >> i sent a cloture motion on the underlying bill to the desk. >> the clerk will report. >> we the undersigned senators with the provisions of rule 22 of the standing rules of the senate hereby move to bring to a close the debate on aswan come a belter come a bill to approve xl pipeline sunday 17 senators as follows. >> the names be dispensed with. >> without objection. >> with that unanimous consent at 9:30 a.m., and the senate proceed to vote in relation to the following amendments in the order listed. sullivan 67 card and 75, murkowski 98 103 cruz 15

moran 73 dayne's 132. further all amendments be 50 vote threshold for affirmative options in a second-degree speed in order to the amendment i ask consent there be to benefit debate divided between all those after the first in a series between the toes. >> is there objection? >> mr. president, reserving the right to object. >> the democratic leader. >> now that we have purged the calendar of five of the six democratic amendments, the majority leader tells us it's time to vote. it doesn't strike me this is in the best interest of what were trying to achieve here in going back and forth in a bipartisan constructive fashion. i would like to ask the majority leader, are you prepared to be in session tomorrow and consider democratic and republican amendment and work through the

list. >> the center for illinois and tend to object? >> what i'm asking frankly is to administer it does have some balance. we have built this five or six republican amendments. >> they didn't want to agree to have a vote on it. >> the record will reflect the spirited debate on those amendments and you won't give the author 60 seconds? >> i object. >> objection is heard. >> i suggest the absence of a quorum.

>> governor earl ray tomblin delivered his address. from charleston west virginia this is 45 minutes. [applause] [applause] >> thank you. please be seated. mr. speaker mr. president, members of the legislature members of the board of public works, justices of the supreme court of appeals, members of congress distinguished gas of my fellow west virginia and 40 years ago on a night much like

tonight i joined by fellow legislators in this beautiful chamber as a young man and a recent college graduate just elected to the house of delegates. i wondered what on earth i got myself into. armed with little more than a fresh perspective and a passionate debate in my home state could be i was eager to face this day. the supply of them to pick up my pen some papers, folders. i was stopped by the house clerk who wondered who the supplies for four. i said they are for me. the respondent, well who are you? i said well i'm the new delegate from logan county. i was not a page. want to make that clear. we are not unlike our state and

sarah player who find yourself yourself -- [applause] who finds herself in this chamber is a member of the missouri working with the governor of the opposite party just decided 40 years ago. now as many of you know, that governor was rj junior. [applause] tonight our thoughts and prayers continue to be with senator capito and her family during his passing. as governor moore wants well for me tonight, i welcome delegate lead in all video faces in this

chamber. i'm positive we all share the same goal and that goal be putting west virginia first and making it the greatest place they can be. serving our state and people comes with great responsibility. we must work together, not as democrats or republicans, but as west virginians united for the common good. this is west virginia not washington and we worked together to meet the challenges we face as a state. [applause] through the years, i am proud of the great progress we have made together. we've improved our business climate, launched meaningful reforms to our education system dressed our long-term liabilities and cut taxes for working families and small

businesses. just two weeks ago we'll then invaded our state's business franchise tax not only encouraging employers to continue to invest in our state but eliminating extra paperwork hadn't made it more difficult to do business here. eliminating the business franchise tax is just one of the recent steps we've taken to responsibly reduce taxes for employers. the steps continue to encourage investments in west virginia jobs. as i speak to the newest members of this legislature and we've got more than a few of those, several of you out there. i am sure that you are aware this is not the only or the last that we face to improve our state's business problems. nearly four decades ago, our state was in danger of having the heat turned off in the governor's mansion because we couldn't pay her bills. we are in for dollars in

unfunded pension liabilities. our credit rating was quickly approaching the status. our residents waited to receive their tax refund and doctors were being traded. while we cannot create that are challenges that lay ahead the state of our state is much different much better than before. we have one of the strongest rainy day funds in the country. we are credited for being one of the most fiscally responsible states in the nation. our bond ratings are recently reaffirmed the taxpayers of hundreds of millions of dollars on building schools, roads and making long-term investments to improve our infrastructure. we accomplished these things together. we've reformed our workers compensation system so

businesses operating here pay for reasonable reinsurance rate and hard-working west virginians received the benefits they deserve in a timely manner. this year businesses and west virginia saw a reduction in workers compensation premiums for the 10th straight year, a total of more than $280 million in savings and 2005. [applause] we have worked together to make tough decisions and next year we will pay off the remaining debt from the old workers comp fund. we have come too far and worked too hard to go back on the commitments that we made several years ago. we accomplished these things together. in the early 2000.errors thread need to leave the state cause

the slow payments and unreasonable medical malpractice insurance premiums. we reformed our legal system and created the west virginia mutual insurance company which serves as a model for states across the country, and providing physicians with good coverage at reasonable rates. we accomplished these things together. just three years ago, we rolled up our sleeves to tackle our states while other states were only talking about is emanating death related to other postemployment benefit we took old actions. we were the first state in the country to address the concerns of local officials who are terrified of bankruptcy and we found a way to pay it down in a fiscally responsible manner. because of these steps and our state's $5 billion debt will be paid off without any tax increases.

[applause] ladies and gentlemen, we accomplished this together. responsible actions like workers compensation reform, medical malpractice reform and gradual reductions in business and consumer taxes help west virginia employers protect our president and our critical to a continued economic growth. we have worked together to make significant changes to improve her days legal system and i resent those who irresponsibly labeling says a judicial. unreasonable and irrational label strummed to by out-of-state interest do not help our efforts to engage potential investors. [applause]

is always more work to be done and together we can consider reasonable come responsible reforms to her legal system. we have worked hard to create an environment that allows us to compete for new and expanding businesses. objects like diamond select which recently relocated north american headquarters to putnam county. american woodmark, which is now a $30 million expansion in wayne county which has invested tens of millions of dollars in our state, employing hundreds of west virginians. we look forward to having the proposed multibillion dollars county to this impressive and growing list. this november, i traveled to brazil to meet with senior officials to review their continued progress and chart our

next steps moving forward. this type of project will serve as an anchor for new value-added industries and chemical hugs that will be part of manufacturing renaissance in america. company officials are pleased with the progress they've made over the past year as a tremendous welcome they received from the number of west virginians that have touched this project in one way or another. i resubmission allowed us to demonstrate our commitment to bring this facility to the state and tonight i am more confident than ever this investment will usher in an era of an president grows for our entire region. [applause] in 2011 were the first state to pass comprehensive legislation

regulating the drilling of marcella shale. since then, we taken significant steps to ensure we remain at the sanger of the utica scheldt boom. companies are investing billions of dollars in our state to support the production processing and transportation of natural gas and creating a number of new opportunities to develop these rich deposits. this past october, southwestern energy invested more than $5 billion in west virginia and southwestern pennsylvania to acquire marsalis and utica shall properties. this investment is one of the largest of its kind not only in our state, but across the country. tonight i would like to welcome home west virginia native in the new general manager south western energy is west virginia operation, derek cut right and senior vice president of southwestern's west virginia paul geiger.

derek and paul please stand so we can recognize you. [applause] tens of thousands of residents are already in the fitting from these developments and i am committed to ensuring our state continues to capitalize on this abundant natural resource and the opportunities it brings. with this in mind, i'm directing the department of revenue to launch a comprehensive review of our state's public lands to identify opportunities where west virginia can take advantage of this energy revolution. we have the potential to secure hundreds of millions of dollars in bonus and royalty payments monies that can be invested to improve our state parks, support tourism initiatives across the state and finance a number of

other worthy endeavors to strengthen job creation. for generations, west virginia has been one of our nations leading energies they. as we continue to explore opportunities, to diversify the portfolio, we must ensure the safety of hard-working west virginians at drilling sites production facilities and pipelines across the states. that is why i am requesting a study to determine how we can best protect our workers of natural gas operations. we must ensure our workers have proper training and skills to do their jobs in the most effective way possible and return home safely at night. [applause] work for safety must be expectations for businesses

operating in west virginia, not an afterthought. economic investments as well as those we are making to improve our infrastructure are important to all of last to take home at a cost. our state's highways and bridges are critical to our continued economic growth. this year the division of highways spent an initial $48 million on resurfacing projects and bridge work compared to what was spent in 2013. we are making progress, but we must find ways to do more. with the help of legislation we passed together, our division of highways is now able to use more innovative finance options to build and maintain our roads and bridges. tonight i am directed the division of highways to include the completion of u.s. 35 as part of his six-year plan. [applause]

the folks at home like that one. in recent years and action at the federal level has a construction at a standstill. new highway projects difficult to complete. i will continue to work with our congressional delegation to identify stable federal funding doors for a much-needed road improvements. when highway funding is hard to come by eliminating more than $85 million in dedicated revenues to maintainers a highways is irresponsible. this year 84% of all tolls collected on the west virginia turnpike were collected from unsafe drivers and commercial vehicles. instead of eliminating tolls we need to work together to identify alternative ways to minimize the impact on our

resident who traveled to turnpike each and every day. we've created a business climate where companies are encouraged to innovate, expand and create new jobs. companies across the country and around the world are noticing the changes we've made. when i became governor four years ago amid a promise that i will go anywhere and sit down with anyone to bring jobs to the state. when investors knock on the door of our state's development office, we ask how can we help you? the strong personal relationships are critical for our state and for our economy. with companies invested here have unmet needs, we take action and we must do the same thing for small business owners who already call our state home. west virginians make great products and we need to make sure entrepreneurs can continue

to succeed. soon after isabella's second down was born she and her husband ray were told by doctors that isaac would have to have low muscle tone and weakness common to children with down syndrome. like any mom wanted to help isabella salé solution. she take a scrap of cloth and sand from her voice and box and created a tiny pair of weights to put on isaacs wrists and ankles to help him develop muscle strength. when isaac's physical therapist saw them, she encouraged isabella to consider make you numb for other children with similar obstacles. in may isabella launched her company making these as part of the 2014 abilities expo in new york city.

tonight we celebrate the spirit of the family. isabella, isaac please stand so we can celebrate your family's achievement. [applause] >> thank you. we must encourage the same innovation above those invested in the state and allow arch for newer is put their skills to work with unnecessary state restrictions. that is why tonight i am proposing legislation to give increased opportunities to succeed in spite of our state's growing industry. together, we can continue to

show those across the country around the world and here at home to west virginia is the right place to make an investment in a great place to do business. our continued economic growth in the anonymous potential that lies ahead places even more energy on developing the skilled workforce. recent studies show west virginia will generate 30,000 new jobs each year through 2018 and nearly 60% of these jobs will require a two-year degree. these are good paying jobs as well as health care and education. since 2007 west virginia technical colleges have developed 133 new programs specifically tailored and training. many of these partnerships like

the appalachia petroleum program training center were created to strengthen our state's growing manufacturing, chemical and natural gas sectors. this is a joint partnership between west virginia community college is one of only four programs of its kind in the whole country. it brings together industry representatives and the academic community to equip west virginians with the skills they need to be part of these industries. recent investors have identified a critical need for instrumentation technology programs to support new and growing industries across the state. blue ridge and rich valley community technical colleges answered their call with specialized programs supported by private sector companies eager to hire west virginia workers. companies like toyota gk and

dow chemical recognized the progress we've made and are working with us to train west virginia's workforce for the jobs of today and tomorrow. the number of students not earn a certificate degree with the two-year associate degrees have increased 57% and that is an accomplishment we can all be proud of. [applause] preparing our future workforce doesn't start with the community and technical colleges. across the state, we are working with middle-school and high school students to share the opportunities that await them after graduation. over the past several months, i've traveled to a number of schools to meet our students and introduce a new education initiative. it is called my state, my life and it's designed to inspire

students to embrace their bright future here in the mouth and state. the west virginia today is not the same place that was decades decades ago. we are ushering in a change that will provide our students with opportunities for great life here at home. in classrooms from hancock wayne to berkeley county, thousands of young bright minds with untapped potential. there are endless possibilities for evidence to succeed and it doesn't matter which training or career path they choose, as long as they choose one. as we work to develop these programs, we must expand our vision for the future members of our workforce. we must support workers i will

never stop fighting against the regulations that harmer's ace energy industry. their families and our communities. [applause] last month we filed comments related to the epa's carbon pollution emission guidelines and urged the epa to consider his proposed plan. federal bureaucrats misunderstand the impact these new rules will have on families and communities here and across the country. we must work together to develop reasonable achievable goals that balance environmental protection we all support with economic growth which we must maintain. while we remain hopeful that epa will consider the effects

regulations there are to having on our economy, we continue to offer programs to buy coal miners and their families the training they need to explore different career path if that's the truth they wish to make. bridge valley, new river in southern west virginia community technical colleges all offer programs to retrain hard-working families and their families with the skills they need to succeed. these accelerated training programs are based on fundamental skills that are valuable no matter how they choose even if they're able to find reemployment underdone. no matter how west virginians have been effect is no matter how they have been affected by the downturn in our state the nursery sector, retraining and job assistance are available. over the past four years workforce west virginia has invested $40 million in federal funds to replay them into

retrain displaced workers and their families. today we continue to prepare these workers with jobs in high demand fields across the state like nursing education and related industries. as west virginia and military men and women return from serving around the world, we stand together to welcome them home with open arms. we are proud of our state's legacy of serving our country and we must continue to honor veterans every chance they get. they aren't just dedicated members of our military. they're also important members of our military. when they return home without which it then to provide the training they need to succeed. in 2009 my friend and one of our states over star recipients,

james mccormick came up with an idea to help veterans find transitional job training and meaningful work at home. last year the legislature passed a bipartisan bill to establish the veterans to agriculture programs, which helps our states veterans provide rush produce for families and develop small working farms across the state. james has dedicated his time and talent to helping veterans return to civilian life for a transition to that farmers in my step ventures. james please stand so we may thank you for your service and for your hard work on behalf of the states veterans. [applause] [applause]

>> as a former teacher, a father, husband of a college president to set right over there, i understand the importance of the good education. as governor, i recognize improving educational programs and increasing opportunities for our kids and for teachers is fundamental to our states continued growth and economic success. over the past several years, we've made changes in our classrooms to put our kids on the right track to a bright future. from the charleston's westside to celebrating the newly renovated harpers ferry memos on the eastern panhandle, i've had opportunity to a first-hand

changes we have house. we are laying the groundwork to support our community and develop to cheerleaders and innovators over the next generation. as we compete in today's global economy, we must start middle-school and high school students by providing the high-tech skills they need. in 2013, business in west virginia identify the critical need for strong mass technical computer and mechanical skills. that is why this year i set aside funding to establish a stem that work to review current some related education initiatives and refine and expand vocal programs to better serve our students. as we increase and improve stem education opportunities it would be a need for more certified chemistry, robotics and advanced math teachers in

classrooms. we must ensure students are being taught by great teachers, including those who may not have a traditional education degree. this year i will introduce legislation to expand opportunities for skilled west virginians who have a passion for teaching that may not have a teaching background. we need to find ways to streamline the process and encourage those who have a passion to teach so they can share their knowledge with our kids. we must give local school systems better flexibility to train and hire subject matter expert to fill long-term vacancies and critical subject areas. [applause] each year our teachers gather in schools and classrooms across the state but they share a vision to inspire students and encourage a lifetime of

learning. tonight i am honored to introduce our 2015 toyota hi mark blue cross blue shield teacher of the year gale adds. inspiration can come from the place that is expected. i like this slide. sometimes it comes from teaching at jazzercise class. then a while since you heard that one shelley? while leaving each class gale laughed as she corrected the grammar and after months of joking about the english teacher she finally felt this part in the challenge with a passion for teaching. she followed her heart, enrolled in college in four years later earned her teaching degree. today, gale is not only teaching advanced english that she is answering the tough questions she once had the high school senior. instead of just many modern literature and studying the

classics gale students are also learning about inking, financing a college education and finding a rewarding career. she makes things were makes things better and makes teaching and learning. ladies and gentlemen please join me in welcoming our 2015 teacher of the year, gale adams. [applause] [applause] we are fortunate to have businesses that understand the value of good education your west virginia. at this time i'd also like to read tonight to individuals who

deserve our thanks for their continued support on the teacher of the year program. mr. fred irna, present a high mark blue cross blue shield and lily marshall, president of toyota motor when you factor in west virginia. please stand so they may thank you for your continued commitment to our state's teachers. [applause] a strong workforce is a drug-free workforce. substance abuse is a heartbreaking problem with families across west virginia each and every day. but the half of the governors council of substance abuse we've taken action to stop the production and increase practice standards for pain clinics to ensure residents are using prescription drugs responsibly.

over the past two years, we have worked together to draft legislation and improved new rules to regulate pain management clinics across the state. since july, the department of health and human resources hasn't spent it several plain clinics. three of those have been ordered to close and deny licensure for violation of these new standards. our residents must have access to pain management treatment options but not the expense of irresponsible prescription practices. i am proud of the steps we've taken to curb this epidemic, but we must do more. as we continue our efforts to address the abuse of prescription medications we must also be prepared to combat the increased availability of illegal street drugs. today uses on the rise and we must stop the legal drugs from ruining the lives of ours sins.

this session i will introduce legislation to help our state's emergency responders and families facing drug abuse saved the lives of those who have used heroin. it is critical to countering the effects of overdose. by expanding access to this life-saving drugs, we can prevent overdose they invented those suffering from substance abuse the opportunity to seek help overcome addiction and return to their families, work voices and communities. [applause] the communities we live in our warning just places where we put down our bruce, start new businesses or watch our children grow. they are places we call home and they must be closest where we

feel phase. in may we announced a significant step towards reducing overcrowding and drug abuse. since the end, we've invested $2.5 million in community-based substance abuse treatment and recovery services across the state. tonight i am pleased to announce the investment of an additional $660,000 to expand treatment options across the state including new intensive outpatient services in the northern and eastern panhandle's. [applause] in 2013, we worked together to embrace the justice reinvestment act and develop new research-based plan to rehabilitate those in our justice system. these reforms maximize our correction dollars and lower the financial burden on our overextended prison system while

protecting our state finances. the reverend mark justice reinvestment efforts, we have learned data driven programs do work. most of our efforts have focused on addressing our room correction system. but we also must do everything we can to meet the needs of our youth. we must do more to keep our kids out of the court room and into the classroom. [applause] between 1997 and 2011 west virginia saw the largest percentage increase in youth confinements of any state in the country. this june with bipartisan support from every level of our three branches of government we embarked on a comprehensive review of our juvenile justice system. this task force including law enforcement, prosecutors public

defenders, faith-based representatives in west virginia inlays looked at based programs and identify best practices that make the most sense for west virginia. we must take action to create a smarter, more effective system for our children. tonight i'm announcing legislation to reform our state's juvenile justice system. they will establish truancy diversion specialists in all 55 counties and increase the use of community-based services to help them get kids back on track. [applause] it will also increase across the state to better produce outcomes for our children and family by getting them the help they need. at a cost of $4.5 million, and

this legislation is projected to reduce the number of t. h. h.r. residential placement and judicial services commitments as 40% over the next five years and will save taxpayers $59 million. [applause] we are also strengthening the west virginia national guard incredibly successful challenge to academy. since the academy was established in 1993 nearly 3000 teams have graduated and gone on to be productive influences in their communities. this december, 131 cadets graduated from the academy. other new graduates, 16% are pursuing their college degrees with the help of scholarships. 26% are receiving training at one of ours dates vocational

schools. 24% have chosen military careers than the rest have successfully completed training programs to enter our work force. that's a pretty good record. [applause] the challenge academy snake in a difference in the lives of at-risk kids across the state. tonight we welcome to graduates whose experiences will inspire other young west virginians to follow their lead. after graduating from the academy in 1999 michael harrison joined the united states army. after serving his company michael returned home to serve his fellow west virginian of the lot worse than officer. in 2013 he returned to the academy. this time as a squad leader

venturing new cadets. just this past month, ron bassett with his fellow cadets as a new graduate and member of the 43rd challenge academy class. broad plan to join the west virginia national guard and continuous education. michael o'brien please stand so we may congratulate you on your achievement. please stand. [applause] [applause] as we expand opportunities for

our kids to succeed, child welfare reform is critical to keeping our children safe at home. but this in mind, i directed the department of health and human resources to work together with workforce west virginia to help parents find stable employment to support their families. we can make a difference in the lives of their state's children and accomplished but meaningful reforms. this legislated those of us gathered in the chamber. have west virginia and across the states. to come together, we must set aside and stand united as west virginians for greater good. tonight i'm proud to welcome to west virginia law enforcement heroes who personify what it means to put the welfare of others above does dallas. two weeks ago police lieutenant

jeremy to an patrolman nick quicksands responded to by seemed to be a routine traffic stop. the same approach that stopped vehicles, patrolman st duty. across the trolman stands were shot in the line of duty. across the state, dedicated officers answered the call to protect and serve with the safety and well-being of their fellow west virginians first. this week lieutenant corporal harbaugh and patrolman fans put on their uniforms and return to work. lieutenant doug patrolman stands please stand so we may thank you for your service and thank you for the commitment you have. [cheers and applause] [cheers and applause]

.. >> just as these brothers and blue have taught us we are all a part of something much bigger. among the mountains