so, , too, is former congressman jim leach, who for three decades modeled how to combine elected office with civility, kindness, and grace. it's a a timeless lesson and e grateful to have benefited from his example. please join me in a moment of silence to remember these humble individuals. [silence] if you are like me, every legislative session begins with a strong sense of anticipation. after all, our positions of public trust mean we have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of iowans. and that starts with making sure every child has access to a quality education. today, i have families have more options than ever before to choose a learning environment that best fits their child's needs. for 92% of families that means enrolling their children in the public school where they live. that's no surprise. we have great public schools and teachers, and we want keep it that way. that's why we've invested more than $3.8 billion in our public schools last year, about 43% of our state budget. it's also why we have made historic investment in our teachers, including the largest pay