reelected in 2024.

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>> improve the prospect for every american that called indiana home. today i stand before you and i renew that same promise. together with those in this changer we have accomplished a lot for sure but there's so much work to be done ahead. and as a former navy man, i'm drawn to a motto embraced by

grace copper, one of the first female admirals in the united states navy. and i quote, a shift in can court is safe but that is not what shifts are built for. in the same spirit i did not plan to safely stay anchored for the next 12 months. after all standing still is not what we are filled for in indiana. so to frame up our time here tonight and going forward, i'd like to talk about something i call the indiana model which guides all the work that we've been doing together to create lasting generational change on the very foundation layed by our pioneering predecessor. already it has enabled us to take indiana to the next level as you heard me call it just a few times. that's because the indiana model

seeks excellence, rejecting any notion that a mid western state would be content with -- collaboration from the public and philanthropic sectors across all levels of government and talking aside any distinction between indy and the rest. nearly every step forward we've made during these last 7 years followed the indiana model. a remarkable team effort so please give yourselves and our statewide partners a big round of applause on the job well

done. [applause] >> now, for any state or organization for that matter it's imperative to know what's going on and answer that tired old question, it used to be a head scratcher. who is indiana known for beyond great stuff like the indy 500 and larry byrd and a whole lot of corn. today the answer is abound. we are now known for advanced manufacturing, for being a top 10ag state, leader in plant,

animal and life sciences, top convention destination, logistics and top state in the nation for infrastructure and we are on the edge of collaborative r&d across artificial intelligence, semiconductors, corridors, nuclear medicine and energy and so much more. it's no surprise that forbes ranked indiana as the number one state in america to start a business. [applause] $150 billion. our private-sector employment is up by 200,000 to the an all-time

high while our unemployment roles remain at historic lows. our population is growing faster than every state we've ordered. we've paid $4.5 billion in debt, returned $1.5 billion to the taxpayers all while maintaining prudent reserves to keep our triple a state credit rating. [applause] obviously ladies and gentlemen i don't need to tell you but i'm proud the state of our state indiana is strong. [applause]

consider the recognition indiana received last year when we were one of only 3 states out of all 50 that ran the table to win all three big federal partnerships, electronics, electronic hubs and biotech manufacturing hub. each will result in millions of new investments and thousands with good, high-paying jobs to benefit disproportionately for america's related manufacturing and our reshoring strategy. [applause]

>> consider the jaw-dropping $28.7 billion in committed capital investment last year which brought indiana over $15 billion in just the last two years through our economic development efforts. [applause] >> what took us 12 years from 2005 to 2016 we did more than that in just the last two years and that's called indiana momentum and we have a lot more coming. [applause] and these new jobs come with all-time high wage levels, averaging over $75,000 a year much higher than the local and national averages and allow me to be a myth buster here about where the investment is going,

rural and mixed rural counties won big capturing $18.7 billion in capital commitments and more than 15,000 new jobs over just the last two years. a special thanks to the all of you in the general assembly who recognized the need and provided the indiana economic development corporation to the allow our entire state to grow alongside our local leaders. we are proving now, our communities are able to define their own destiny. another particular bright spot last year was the second investments by star plus energy, the joint venture between same sung sdi and cocamo where they're building two ev battery factories ultimately creating thousands of new jobs along with

similar investment with general motors straight up 31 new car lots. [applause] all three of these total $9 billion in new investment thank you, star plus energy newly appointed ceo. we could not be more humbled and appreciative of the faith and trust you put in our state and we will reinvest in you and your workforce. thank you so much. i'm just as proud as indiana's long-standing relationships with japan and with israel who honor us this evening with their diplomatic presence.

employees welcome consuler jimaji and general consul of israel. [applause] >> our hearts are with your people, our friends affected by the recent tragedy in japan and consul general cohen please know that we continue to pray for the safety and security of all those who call the holy land home and we pray for the prospects of lasting peace. [applause] >> back home in indiana let's

move onto what's changing for the better. businesses and individuals are thriving in indiana because we operate in a continuous improvement mode. for starters, we cut our personal income taxes again to 3.05% on the way down to 2.9%. [applause] .. ..automatically checks in wih

your doctor to down south changing the game of furniture manufacturing with the help of german robots. the famed italian company makes high-tech seats for space astronauts. [applause] and ladies and gentlemen, the positive change continues. this is the year our graduation rates continue to go up and thanks to the historic

investments this body is made, average teacher pay across the state will reach the goal of $60,000 a year. [applause] this is the year we will plant our 1 millionth tree on arbor day ahead of schedule. this is the year we will continue to put down some 280 miles of trails in all parts of the state, making indiana a recognized leader. this is the year we finish connecting over 70,000 households and businesses completing the $320 million investment in the next level broadband investment program and that's before we launch an even bigger, larger $800 million federally backed program for every hoosier who still lacks vast affordable internet access. this is the year, yes it is finally here when i 69 directly

connects indianapolis to evansville. [applause] you shot up fast. [laughter] we pled this partnership with our private sector partners, and i am just so proud of that we are approaching this after decades of discussion. [laughter] this is the year when we finish double tracking the south shore line between gary and michigan city, and other big deal. [applause]

this is the year our rest stops are converted into true welcome centers. this is the year we moved aggressively on a huge capital projects that have been on the drawing board gathering dust for years including the new prison in westville, new archives building, new crime labs, state-of-the-art law enforcement academy co-locating the deaf and blind schools into building the first new state park lodge since 1939 in our state at potatoes street state park. [applause] and this is the year when our communities start to leverage the second round that this assembly made possible. [applause]

the first round of $500 million leveraged and $12.1 billion in public private and nonprofit investments. over 4 billion in housing infrastructure alone and i'm confident a similar outcome during this next round actually based on what i am about to reveal i have a feeling we will far exceed even our most hopeful projections. tonight i'm so proud to announce the lilly endowment. we will be making the single largest grant award in its 86 year history. a $250 million to support ready 2.0 project is focused on light reduction, redevelopment and arts and cultural initiatives throughout our entire state. [applause]

let me offer a few thousand more thank youse to the lilly endowment and jeanette hill, the president there, and clay robbins where both of your stewardship for the organization that once again shows why it's such an essential partner here making our state the place we all want it to be for generations to thank you, thank you for being here tonight and every day forward. [applause]

along with ready 2.0 and recognizing health is wealth, the help first indiana program, the nation's largest substantial new commitment to public health will further empower indiana counties to create tailored actions. by the way the first $75 million you all appropriated has just been distributed to the 86 counties that opted in, and i fully realize there is a long way to go here, but let's acknowledge that we are starting to make progress against drug addiction. you and this chamber helped create new tools such as 385% more beds for residential treatment, moloch's own distribution, the 988 suicide

increases lifeline. and an online treatment finder for anyone anytime seeking to recover. [applause] due to these efforts and so many others, recent reporting shows statewide drug overdose deaths dropped statewide 5% year-over-year. this is progress. [applause] and a special thank you to the chiefjustice rush and our judicy for also making transformational technology and administrative improvements in connecting with all those we serve who are trying to and are working so hard to restore their lives. [applause]

now, alongside the rules that are public and private partners play, it's the everyday citizens who step up and improve the lives of others that are the most essential to the fly will affect the indiana model. for instance, a few months back, i attended an event at indiana's memorial. a young lady introduced herself and shared an observation that immediately rang true. the license plate we offer the

goldstar families didn't really convey the full meaning of the sacrifice these hoosier families have made. lauren did not shy away when i asked if she would help us come up with a worthy family played. several months later, thanks to her willingness to collaborate with our bureau of motor vehicles, a much more powerful tribute exists. the everlasting contribution appropriately honor those who gave us their sons and daughters, there has been since bios and her feelings could not have been more personal. you see, lauren lost her husband matthew in a nato training accident in 2022. lauren and matthew's mother lisa

are here with us this evening. and ladies, we join you in honoring matt and too many others that have made that same sacrifice. ladies and gentlemen, this is what real citizenship looks like up close and personal. [applause] and finally, in an attitude of gratitude, let's continue to live up to the indiana model in this legislative session ahead

by addressing what still needs to change. here are a few commitments i believe we must make this year. we must improve policies around third grade reading to make sure that every child masters this essential skill. we must prepare our students for a digitally driven world by requiring computer science to graduate from high school. we must work with our public universities to make college even more accessible by creating more three-year in associate degree options. we must expand our childcare workforce to help more working moms and dads in indiana. we must update the state disaster relief fund to make it easier for local communities to access the fund they need, and we must build better awareness

of our states next level jobs programs. there's so many of them, and we will do that through a campaign we are calling one stop to start, helping people obtain one of the many high-paying, life-changing jobs available right now throughout our state. i ask for your partnership in making these things happen because we must never forget how much the work of good governance matters to those who sent us here in the first place. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, i am excited about 2024. i'm convinced that it will shine a light on many other examples of how the indiana model is boosting economic outcomes, our

infrastructure into the 21st century vanguard and most importantly, improving lives through new opportunities. and while earthly governments governancecannot take credit foi must mention a 2024 event that will draw even more attention to indiana when the biggest spotlight of them all, the son. this turned off for several minutes, so don't even think away from being away from indiana on april 8th when we are in the direct path of a total solar eclipse. [applause] my friends, a new year brings about reflection and preparation for what's next. i only wish our buddy henry were here with us to do just that.

term limited, here are my promises to you for 2024. my administration will not be a shipping port. instead we will deploy on multiple fronts until my last day and hour as your governor owning the indiana model. i'm staking my reputation to it. we will find constructive answers to any unforeseen challenges that arise, and we will move from ideas to implementation during these times of great transformation. and i will continue to listen as i have done for seven years now to any and all partners who share a love for indiana and believe in our future. indiana is a wonderful place to live, to breathe, to work, to raise a family. it's a wonderful place to help

lead. my fellow hoosiers, if i live long enough to need a smart meal or two, i will regard the privilege of having served as your governor is the honoring of a lifetime. with all my heart, i think you for it. good evening, and may god bless and now let's get back to work and run up the score in 2024. [applause] thank you. [applause]

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