>> thank you to all of you, for everyone for your willingness to visit and engage and for your answering the call of public service. i also want to thank all of our state teammates for their commitment to serving nebraskans. our family has had an incredibly

deep emotional experience over the last several months from election night to taking the oath january 5 in front of all of you, to the inaugural ball which was an incredible celebration of nebraskans celebrating nebraska on january january 7, to the passing of suzanne's mom donna last wednesday and celebrating her incredible life just 48 hours ago. you have all been so incredibly kind and gracious to suzanne and me and our entire family and just let me thank you from the bottom of our hearts. we are very, very grateful. thank you. we talked about our greatest asset, people, sometimes we forget to acknowledge the amazing work done by nebraska's caregivers every single day, the care that comes from doctors and nurses and other health care

professionals, pastors, teachers comes, first responders and many others. you do an incredible job of caring for each other. oftentimes though that care doesn't come from a professional, comes from our family, comes from a mom or a dad, a brother or a sister, a daughter or a son. i need to pause for a moment and acknowledge the amazing relationship that existed between suzanne and her mom. and the impact that bond had on all of us. our family watched suzanne face the many lessons and challenges that came with being her mom's caretaker and major avik it. whether we are caring for a relative who is elderly disabled

are struggling with mental health or substance abuse our family can -- the incredible heroes and lots of times we forget to say thank you so i want to make sure we take a minute to say thank you. i want to recognize my bride, see sam and all the other incredible family caretakers across the great state of nebraska that loved their family and do whatever it takes. [applause] thank you. thank you. our family heroes, they are the examples of perseverance, strength and grace and they are

the essence of nebraska. a place we all treasure about family and we care about one another and value each and every life. that's the strength of nebraska and that is my focus every day, people, not politics or because of our people the state of our state has never ever been stronger. we, the people of nebraska, have been gripped with a determination needed to solve the tough problems, overcome the difficult obstacles no matter the circumstances. today i am presenting an agenda that will help us overcome serious challenges and make life better for every single family in our state. like many of our neighboring states we have more money in our coffers than anyone can believe are quite frankly comprehensive.

there are bushel baskets of it. all of us think a million dollars is a lot and by the way it is and that every nickel matters and as my dad would say we need to treat everyone of them like manhole covers but what we do with the people's money this session is critical for my grand babies and yours and for generations to calm. we all agree we are taxed way too much in nebraska. our tax policy chases her kids out and chases her grandparents out of our stay. we can't grow nebraska that way. from my view it's very simple we must have the courage to say no. no to overspending and maintain a focus of investing in our kids and giving this money back to

nebraskans be a historic property and income tax cuts. we, nebraska's leaders, must compete for nebraska to win. the cuts i am proposing today make us more competitive. these proposals will not get us in the top 10 but we will rank number 15 if we enact them. [applause] i hope that you will support my vision and a strategy some nebraska competes and wins. i believe together we can, together we will, together we win. today i'm introducing a budget that restricts the growth of

state spending to an annual average of just 1.3% over the next biennial. with an inspirational systems approach of running our agencies we will improve services to nebraskans cut the cost of operations. this will enable nebraskans to keep more of their hard-earned money. we have asked agencies to tighten their belts and focus on what's needed. >> not all the stuff that's nice. needs are our focus and we are leading by example. the budget i'm presenting the governor's office will not see 1 penny more than the prior budget with just a 2% increase in the state appropriations for operations the university of nebraska under the leadership of my former colleagues on the board of regents and president ted carter will be challenged to focus on students needs. all across state government we

will rise to better meet the high bar that nebraskans have set for us through their example of working hard and tightening their belts will carefully controlling the growth of state spending. we will work to provide significant tax cuts for nebraskans. beginning with property taxes. our property taxes we all agree they are so far out of whack, think of this, you don't even need to own property to be affected by our property taxes. we must lift this burden. we have to do it now. [applause] today i am recommending to the legislature and additional $2.4 billion in property tax cuts, for a total of

$7.1 billion through fiscal year 26/27. [applause] and i'll nebraskans will be really thrilled with your support. as part of this total i am recommending an additional investment of $390 million into the property tax credit relief fund. i'm also recommending that the state assume the responsibility for funding our community colleges across the state which will immediately cut property taxes by nearly $300 million a year. we all agree our kids are our future. we need more of them to pursue their degrees here.

we need to attract more students from other states. we need better outcomes for our nebraska workforce. we need more engineers actuaries accountants, architects, geneticists, scientists, nurses and teachers. we need more welders auto technicians, technicians to fix computing dependencies on cars, trucks tractors, almost everything. it is essential. the success of our community colleges that were conceived over 50 years ago has a higher calling today in our state than ever before. it's the 20th century. 50% of our kids are not obtaining any training after high school.

the we have to create better opportunities for all. the success of utilizing community college in nebraska for students best suited for trades is a game-changer. that is why this funding proposal is so important, helping us better meet the needs while cutting property tax. in addition to these investments in property tax reform i'm also recommending $1.5 billion in additional tax cuts for individuals, families and businesses and social security recipients. [applause] i'm asking you all to face down our individual tax, individual income and business tax rates to 3.99% by 2027. this enables nebraska to be more competitive in attracting and

retaining investments, talent and new opportunities. this is key to stomping out migration. i'm also asking the legislature to exempt social security income from state taxes by next year, 2024. [applause] in addition to these reforms i'm presenting a series of transformative bills to the legislature with a combined fiscal responsibility in state and local government to help fix our broken tax code and reduce property tax for years to come. let me be clear, the property tax problem can't be solved by levy limits alone. levy caps are mostly nebraskans. when valuations skyrocket they have little impact.

when the levy is capped the valuations increase in the does nothing to stop overspending. our valuation system of our property tax is the problem and it must be changed. our first step is addressing valuations of ag and porter croaks roland, the market value this land goes up almost every year. creating more and more money for government and its. simply vaporizing into thin air before her very eyes all with out any regard to how much value the land creates for the family farms are ranchers. that's totally wrong that needs to be changed. by changing this for market-based income-based assessments and capping a gland by wishing growth we can cut property tax and we can keep government growth in check kind of like living within our means

at home. [applause] my top priority and that of all nebraskans is our kids. it's our kids. we all agreed they are our future and that's why today in proposing the creation of an education future fund. with an investment of $1 billion in fiscal year 23/24 in additional $250 million each year thereafter. this in investment assures nebraskans will never give up on a single kid ever again. the education future fund will provide further assistance to our school districts to help the needs of special education students across the state.

[applause] it has been promised to local districts that 80% of special education funding would come from the state and federal sources. hard-core reality we are only funding half. we have to sufficiently support special-education. this commitment is the state's job not that of property tax rates for this investment will ensure we meet the commitments and special education needs and enable property tax relief. this investment also includes a major structural change to our state aid, to the education formula. this formula has long failed to meet the needs of those school

districts that receive no equalization aid from the state. today i'm recommending an allocation of $1500 annually to every public student, school student in every nebraska school district. this foundation provides much-needed for a rural school districts which have been underserved for far too long. this investment combined with special education funding reform will provide more funding to every school district in the state. [applause] the education future fund is a transformative investment of state tax dollars in education but it must be combined with the framework that ensures dollar for dollar property tax relief. i'm recommending a 3% on

spending for school districts which can only be overridden by 75% of local school board members were 60% of voters. as the state shoulders a greater portion of the costs of educating our kids the burden on property taxpayers must be reduced through careful spending , control and constrained by our school districts. this 3% will ensure property tax relief while maintaining local control. it will enhance accountability to the taxpayers and it sure government does a better job in treating our nickels like manhole covers. our kids want to stay here in nebraska.

they want to stay here and get their post-secondary education here. to address as budget provides $39.4 million to fund over 24200 scholarships for nebraska students who attend any of our nebraska institutes of higher education. this helps us to compete for our kids to keep them here. i want to inspire and challenge nebraska stakeholders and business leaders to pick up the ball and do business differently in nebraska. we all need to reach out to k-12 and build relationships with our kids. get them to work at a young age and give them hope. scholarship them so they can get an education and work in a business for a minimum of five

years. it's not only the right thing to do, but it's also the key to growing our workforce. it's the key to growing a business and it's the key to growing nebraska. focusing on all of our kids i'm recommending a 50 million-dollar investment for scholarships for nebraska kids whose needs are best met outside of public education. opportunity scholarship tax credits will provide scholarships for kids who live in poverty, foster care systems and those with special needs. we can't let one kid fall through the cracks. [applause] thank you. we are joined today by a very special lady tania santos principal of name school and some of her amazing teachers and students. would you all please stand and be recognized.

[applause] .. % families receive financial assistance of ebola send their kids to school. they believe, as i do that limited means it should not deny a child an opportunity they need. these opportunity scholarships will help make that goal a reality for far more kids. like those of principal at

santos and her team serve. my budget also includes a 10 million-dollar investment to help recruit and train students in high field needs such as teachers, nurses, and something i think i know a little about, food animal veterinarians for food security. i am very, very proud to have doctor chase afford stand. a new graduate who is proudest sink food animal management and our beloved sandhills. [applause] >> with schools that the decision to practice food animal medicine and rural communities can be very difficult and intimidating.

but we can and need to make it easier. our food animal veterinarians are critical to our states agricultural growth and to ensure food security. not only in our state but in our great nation. i'm also committing $20 million to continue the good life is calling campaign to market nebraska. we simply have to brag about nebraska across this country. with a focus on attracting top talent we will be reporting back to you next year the results of this investment. icom it like you, have really, really high expectations for solving our workforce challenge. this is a step forward. we must focus on our future, on the great careers. not jobs, great careers that

exist here in nebraska. nebraska is a pro-life states. many nebraskans have been praying for 50 years to end abortion. we have to do more. this discussion in my opinion is gotten far too complicated and misleading. here is what pro-life is not in nebraska. it is not about preventative contraception. it is not about in vitro fertilization. it is not about fertility medicine discussions. it is simply about one thing, it is simply about ending the abortion of babies growing and mother's wombs. i am fighting for the rights of every baby with a beating heart pure and simple. [applause]

i am fighting to help women choose life and love. nebraskans will be a state that provides extensive resources to all women in need throughout their pregnancies. and i will fight with all of my might to make sure nebraska becomes a place where parents who want to provide a great home for a child can find an easier route for adoption instead of spending years on paperwork and red tape. together we can. susan went coin for our family, love conquers all. love concert conquers all. love it makes all the people of nebraska such a special place of. this right now today is the most important time in the history of our state. it is nebraska's leaders we are

making decisions that will impact our state for generations to come. and if you don't sleep at night and i think that is a good thing, we have a big lift, big responsibility. these investments are more than education and tax cuts. today i'm also recommending to the legislature essential investments in law enforcement, infrastructure and water. water is vital to nebraska. the drought makes it even more urgent. we must build the perkins county canal. we have had stakeholders across our state working on this project for over 20 years fighting for nebraska's right be in the perkins canal. my budget recommendation includes a fully funding the

canal more important than ever before. to grote nebraska suggests rose and broadband. $100 million to leverage an additional 400 million in federal funds to improve our bridges and roads. our team is also. the nebraska broadband office. we have to get broadband across nebraska completed. it will be the sole focus of the nebraska broadband office and i don't have any patience about it. [applause] finally our budget prioritizes even greater support in investments in the brave men and women of law enforcement.

dangerous drugs from our streets in the past year. controlling central nebraska think about central nebraska. 37 pounds of cocaine 11 pounds of fentanyl. 2 pounds of meth and nearly 200o illegal guns. i'm in trying to add it up i don't know how many feed sacks that is but that is a lot in central nebraska. trooper sutton also serves as a tack officer at the nebraska state training academy helping the next generation of troopers begin their careers, trooper sutton, would you please stand and be recognized? [applause]

[applause] [applause] our state troopers, police officers, sheriffs, deputies, correctional officers, they put it all on the line every day to help keep us safe. we must have their backs. i think the other thing when we are out there is never, never a time to go up to someone in blue shake their hand look them in the eye and say thank you. that is the gift of love that emanates through if there's anybody who deserves it every single day it is our blue. today i am proposing significant law enforcement investments to the legislature. the first is an $18.6 million

increase in funding for treasured nebraska state patrol. to ensure we can continue to recruit and retain the very best to serve and keep us safe. second, i am recommending finalizing the last phase of funding replace the nebraska state penitentiary which this body has approved. the facility was designed more than a century ago. at a time the mission was much different. today it cannot sufficiently meet the security needs of the future it can't meet the programming needs of our inmates to reduce recidivism. can't get people back to work after the pay their dues to society for the drug transgressions. a new facility will have additional space or programming and will help more people become

productive law-abiding citizens. one of the groups charged with protecting our state is the nebraska national guard. it is incredible. we have over 4000 guard men and women that answer the call in both the army and air guard. we are fortunate today to have several distinguished members with us as i call out their names, i would ask each to stand and be recognized. this verse is someone doing good from monroe, nebraska. staff sgt brian coomer. [applause] [applause] senior master sgt nathan thank

you. staff sgt alicia thank you. [applause] senior airmen cory weber. [applause] and master sgt. each of these individuals as distinguished themselves by deploying overseas missions, providing humanitarian relief

and supporting critical operations within the united states. let me tell you they are among nebraska is a well-trained military soldiers and airmen. we salute your service to our state. we are all humbled and we thank you for safeguarding our liberty. thank you very much. we all believe in our kids. we all believe in what is doing right spray we all believe doing our best every day. we believe in treating each of the way we want to be treated. that is the nebraska way. we are nebraska. together we can. together this session we will impact nebraskans for generations.

folks, we simply have to compete for nebraska. as your governor it is really simple. really simple. i want nebraska to win. i know you do as well. together we will win for nebraska. god bless you for all that you do and may god bless this incredible state of nebraska. thank you all for inviting me here. thank you. [applause]