[♪♪] >> THANK YOU, GOOD EVENING AGAIN EVERYONE.

IF YOU WILL PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS WE WILL BEGIN TONIGHT'S PROGRAM.

WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN FOR THE RECITATION OF THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

SO PLEASE STAND AS WE WELCOME THE 2023 NATIONAL CIVICS STATE CHAMPION TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

[APPLAUSE] >> GOOD EVENING.

PLEASE RECITE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WITH ME.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

>> THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> Renee: WELL DONE, THANK YOU.

WELCOME TO THE 29TH ANNUAL KENTUCKY CHAMBER DAY.

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR MEAL AND GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO THE CULINARY STAFF FOR THE DELICIOUS MEAL THEY PREPARED FOR US TONIGHT.

[APPLAUSE] WE ARE INDEED, GLAD TO HAVE YOU THE BUSINESS LEADERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH HERE TONIGHT TO HEAR FROM THE STATE'S TOP OFFICIALS.

SINCE 1995, THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER HAS OPENED KENTUCKY'S LEGISLATIVE SEASON BY HOSTING THE LARGEST GATHERING OF BUSINESS LEAD ERPS, LEG WITH PREDICTIONS FOR THIS YEAR'S SESSION.

CHAMBER DAY SPEAKERS ALWAYS PROMPT A LOT OF DISCUSSION WITH ALMOST 30 DAYS UNDER BELT OF THIS 60-DAY SESSION TONIGHT WILL NOT BE INTRODUCE.

BEFORE I INTRODUCE OUR FIRST SPEAKER I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, JACQUELINE COLEMAN WE ARE SO PLEASED TO SEE YOU THIS EVENING.

OUR FIRST SPEAKER AND 63rd GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY IS ANDY BESHEAR WHO GRADUATED FROM HENRY CLAY HIGH SCHOOL BEFORE ATTENDING VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA SCHOOL OF LAW.

HIS FAMILY INSTILLED FAITH, FAMILY AND PUBLIC SERVICE HE LEANED ON THE VALUES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

AND DURING TWO HISTORIC NATURAL DISASTERS.

THE WESTERN KENTUCKY TORNADOES AND THE EASTERN KENTUCKY FLOODS.

EVEN AS OUR STATE HAS FACED SOME OF ITS TOUGHEST CHALLENGES GOVERNOR BESHEAR PRIORITIZED BRINGING GOOD-PAYING JOBS TO EVERY CORNER OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

SINCE HE TOOK OFFICE IN DECEMBER OF 2019, THE PRIVATE SECTOR ANNOUNCED 28.7 BILLION IN INVESTMENT.

AND UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP, TEAM KENTUCKY ATTRACTED 1,000 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS CREATING MORE THAN 51,000 FULL-TIME JOBS.

THE GOVERNOR AND HIS WIFE FIRST LADY BRITAINY WITH THEIR TWO CHILDREN ARE ACTIVE IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

PLEASE HELP ME WELCOME THE GOVERNOR, ANDY BESHEAR.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU ALL.

THANK YOU.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

I KNOW TONIGHT IS AN EXCITING NIGHT.

AS I ENTER MY SECOND TERM AS YOUR GOVERNOR, EVERYONE HAS A REASON TO CELEBRATE.

FOR SOME OF YOU, YOU'RE EXCITED I AM GOING TO BE YOUR GOVERNOR FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

THANK YOU TO THAT PERSON.

FOR OTHERS, YOU ARE EXCITED THAT I'M NOW TERM LIMITED.

NO THANK YOU TO THAT PERSON.

EITHER WAY, THESE NEXT FOUR YEARS SHOULD BE ABOUT WHAT WE CAN GET DONE TOGETHER FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF PARTY OR GEOGRAPHY FOR ANYTHING ELSE.

WHEN YOU ARE A BUSINESS OWNER, A LOCAL LEADER OR A GOVERNOR, WHAT YOU KNOW IS PEOPLE DON'T WAKE UP EVERY MORNING THINKING ABOUT WHAT PARTY THEY BELONG TO OR WHO IS GOING TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT.

THEY THINK ABOUT JOB AND WHETHER THEY MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILY.

THEY THINK ABOUT THE ROADS AND BRIDGES THEY ARE GOING TO DRIVE ON IF THEY ARE SAFE.

THEY THINK ABOUT THE NEXT DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT AND HOW FAR THEY HAVE TO DRIVE.

THEY THINK ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC EDUCATION.

YOUR GOVERNMENT ACHIEVES WHEN IT'S NOT FOCUSED ON POWER OR PARTY OR TEAM RED OR TEAM BLUE.

BUT WHEN WE PUSH OUT ALL THE NOISE AND FOCUS ON THE SAME THINGS, THE PEOPLE WORRY ABOUT WHEN THEY WAKE UP IN THE MORNING AND NOT THE THINGS ON CABLE NEWS THAT ARE DIVIDING PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY OR ACROSS THIS COMMONWEALTH.

WE WIN WHEN WE ARE LESS FOCUSED ON THE NEXT ELECTION AND MORE FOCUSED ON THE NEXT JOBS ANNOUNCEMENT.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU.

WE WIN WHEN WE SPEND OUR TIME ADDRESSING OUR CHALLENGES AND NOT ISSUING BART SIN CHALLENGES TO EACH OTHER TO OTHER STATES OR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

I THINK ABOUT WHAT SO MANY OF US HAVE LED THIS COMMONWEALTH THROUGH.

US, A PANDEMIC, TORNADOES, FLOODING.

BUT EVEN WITH HISTORIC CHALLENGES, WE, YOU, HAVE SECURED HISTORIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

I THINK ABOUT THE THINGS I'VE BEEN ABLE TO BE A PART OF JUST OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS TO CELEBRATE THE GREATEST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WIN STREAK IN OUR HISTORY.

ON MONDAY, WE ANNOUNCED A $1.6 MILLION PROJECT TO SUPPORT A JOB READY SITE AT THE REGIONAL INDUSTRIAL PARK IN ROCK CASTLE COUNTY.

ON TUESDAY, TOYOTA ANNOUNCED THEIR PLANS TO INCREASE THEIR INVESTMENT TO $1.3 BILLION IN GEORGETOWN, REINFORCING THE COMPANY'S COMMITMENT TO HIGH QUALITY VEHICLES AND LONG-TERM JOB STABILITY.

THAT DAY, WE ALSO CELEBRATED NEW RECORDS FOR ECONOMIC IMPACT JOB AND WAGE GROWTH IN OUR BOURBON INDUSTRY.

ON WEDNESDAY, I MET WITH FOLKS ON THE LEADERSHIP TEAM AT NEW CORE STEAL IT IS THE LARGEST STEEL PRODUCTS PRODUCER.

WITH FACILITIES IN GAL CONTINUE, LOUISVILLE AND FRANKFORT, NEW CORE EMPLOYS 2,000 KENTUCKIANS ITS NEW FACILITY IS A $1.7 BILLION INVESTMENT THAT OPENED JUST LAST OCTOBER.

TODAY, WE ANNOUNCED $500,000 IN GRANTS AWARDED TO FOUR COMPANIES TO SUPPORT CONTINUED TECH GROWTH, HIGH WAGE JOBS.

WE ANNOUNCED A NEW BUILD READY SITE IN JACKSON COUNTY AND KNOX COUNTY RECEIVED A GRANT TO EXPLORE OPTIONS TO ESTABLISH A NEW INDUSTRIAL PARK.

I WENT TO BELL COUNTY AND TOURED THE SOON TO BE FLASH STEEL WORKS FACILITY.

OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THAT FACILITY IS GOING TO EMPLOY 100 KENTUCKIANS PAYING AN AVERAGE HOURLY WAGE OF $39.

I WAS IN LARUE COUNTY VISITING NATIONWIDE UNIFORM CORPORATION.

IN BOON COUNTY WE BROKE GROUND ON BAKERY EXPRESS WHICH WILL CREATE 200 JOBS.

AND TYSON'S BACON FACILITY AND 450 NEW FULL-TIME JOBS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE LAST FOUR MONTHS, WE HAVE MADE ANNOUNCEMENTS LIKE BELL MARK OPENING A MANUFACTURING OPERATION IN ALLEN COUNTY.

WITH NEARLY $99 MILLION INVESTMENT CREATING 159 HIGH-WAGE JOBS.

STAG HORN OPENING A NEW DISTILLERY A QUARTER OF A BILLION DOLLARS IN INVESTMENT, 60 FULL-TIME JOBS.

WPT WHERE WE CUT THE RIBBON ON A $19.5 MILLION MANUFACTURING FACILITY.

CROWN EXPANDING OPERATIONS IN BOWLING GREEN, 9.7 MILLION.

73 NEW JOBS.

IT FIRM IS LOCATING IN WAYNE COUNTY, 3 MILLION INVESTED 200 NEW JOBS.

U.P.S.

SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS AT THE VELOCITY FAMILY CREATING 500 NEW JOBS.

DURING THIS TIME, WE'VE ANNOUNCED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO SUPPORT BUILD READY AND JOB READY SITES THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND WHEN WE ADD IT UP OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS, WE HAVE ANNOUNCED 1,000 PRIVATE SECTOR NEW LOCATION AND EXPANSION PROJECTS TOTALING OVER $30 BILLION INVESTED IN US.

THAT IS THE LARGEST AMOUNT UNDER ANY GOVERNOR.

WE KNOW THE MOST IMPORTANT PART.

WE HAVE CREATED 5 1-800-FULL-TIME JOBS FOR KENTUCKIANS AND THESE ARE GOOD JOBS.

THE AVERAGE HOURLY WAGES IN 2022 AND 2023 TOPPED $26 AN HOUR IN CONSECUTIVE YEARS FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER.

WE'RE BUILDING THE TWO BIGGEST ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY PLANTS ON PLANET EARTH THE CLEANEST RECYCLE PAPER MILL IN THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE SCATTER SECURED TOGETHER THE LARGEST GENERAL FUND SURPLUS IN OUR HISTORY.

THE RECORD FOR THE LONGEST PERIOD OF LOW UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE STATE'S HISTORY.

AND WE DID IT ALL WHILE LOWERING INCOME AND PROPERTY TAXES.

I REALLY HOPE EVERYONE IS EXCITED ABOUT WHAT WE'VE DONE.

BUT LIKE ASHLEY SAID WHAT WE CAN STILL DO TOGETHER.

I THINK WE CAN ALL FEEL THE ENERGY ACROSS KENTUCKY.

THERE IS A C.E.O.

SOMEWHERE OUT THERE WHO IS LOOKING AT KENTUCKY RIGHT NOW.

AND WITH THIS KIND OF PROGRESS WE'RE SHOWING AT THAT TIME WE'RE OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

AND WHEN YOU KEEP WRACKING UP WIN AFTER WIN AFTER WIN, YOU DON'T LET UP.

YOU DOUBLE DOWN AND YOU KEEP WINNING.

THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO KEEP INVESTING IN ECONOMIC GROWTH AND IN OUR FAMILIES.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT MY FORWARD TOGETHER BUDGET PROPOSAL DOES.

AND I'M OPEN TO WORKING WITH SO MANY OF YOU AND OUR LAWMAKERS TO MAKE SURE WE MAKE THESE GAME CHANGING INVESTMENTS IN THIS BUDGET AFTER A THREE BIGGEST BUDGET SURPLUSES EVER TO TURN THE THREE YEARS OF GREAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INTO DECADES OF PROSPERITY.

I'M TALKING ABOUT INVESTMENTS TO PROVIDE MORE CLEAN WATER.

EXPAND HIGH SPEED INTERNET.

AND SUPPORT MAJOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS LIKE FOUR LANING THE ENTIRE MOUNTAIN PARKWAY AND PUSHING I-69 FORWARD.

WE GOT TO KEEP INVESTING AND FULLY FUND OUR JOB READY SITE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TO KEEPING MORE SITES FOR THE NEXT INDUSTRY LOCATING IN KENTUCKY.

NOW IS ALSO THE TIME TO INVEST IN TALENT ATTRACTION AND CONTINUE TO FOSTER RELATIONS WITH OUR NEW MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS LIKE SOUTH KOREA.

WE NEED TO KEEP BREAKING RECORD AFTER RECORD TO ENSURE THAT KENTUCKY'S NOT JUST COMPETITIVE BUT WE BECOME THE ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE WE CAN BE IN THIS POST COVID ECONOMY.

TO DO THAT, IT PEENS WE HAVE TO IT MEANS WE HAVE TO INVEST IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.

MY BUDGET PROPOSES AN 11% RAISE FOR EVERY SINGLE PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEE.

WE ENTRUST THEM WITH THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMONWEALTH.

SO LET'S INVEST IN THEM.

PROVIDING OUR TEACHERS AN 11% RAISE WOULD BRING US TO 24 IN START IN TEACHER PAY.

THE STATES AROUND US KNOW HOW IMPORTANT INCREASING PAY IS AND THEY'VE PROVEN IT IS NOT ABOUT POLITICS.

THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR IN TENNESSEE SIGNED A BILL TO PROVIDE TEACHERS THE LARGEST PAY RAISE IN THEIR STATE'S HISTORY AND INDIANA IS LOOKING TO DO THE SAME.

THIS BUDGET IS OUR OPPORTUNITY, OUR CHANCE TO GET THINGS RIGHT HERE IN KENTUCKY.

WE ALSO NEED TO ADDRESS OUR FAMILIES CHILDCARE NEEDS.

LOOK, WHEN I WAS AT NATION WILD UNIFORM CORPORATION I LEARNED SOMETHING.

THEY PAY 50% OF DAYCARE EXPENSES FOR EMPLOYEES.

THEY KNOW THAT CHILDCARE IS EXPENSIVE AND THEY ARE DOING THEIR PART TO HELP.

WE NEED TO DO OUR PART.

IN MY PROPOSED BUDGET I RECOMMEND FULLY FUNDING UNIVERSAL PRE-K FOR EVERY FOUR-YEAR-OLD IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

AND WE COMBINE THAT WITH MORE SUPPORT FOR OUR CHILDCARE PROVIDERS.

LISTEN, THIS PLAN WOULD PROVIDE THREE 4,000 -- 34,000 WITH SLOTS.

THIS IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST MOST IMPACTFUL THING WE CAN DO TO INCREASE OUR WORKFORCE.

LOOK, WE'VE GOT WORK TO DO TO GET THESE INVESTMENTS IN THE FINAL BUDGET AND I NEED YOUR HELP.

BECAUSE WE NEED TO INVEST IN OUR FUTURE WORKFORCE AND IN OUR CURRENT WORKFORCE.

AND FOR ME, AS A DAD, AND AS GOVERNOR, IMPROVING LIFE RIGHT HERE AT HOME IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN FOCUS ON.

THAT IS TOO IMPORTANT AND WE CAN'T LET THE PAR SINSHIP OR THE WASHINGTON D.C.

OUTRAGE OF THE DAY DISTRACT US.

LET'S GET IT DONE AND KEEP WORKING TO MOVE THIS STATE FORWARD TOGETHER.

REMEMBER, LIFE IS SHORT.

SO DO GOOD THINGS AND BE KIND TO EACH OTHER.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[APPLAUSE] >> Renee: THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS HOUSE MINORITY FLOOR LEADER DEREK GRAHAM.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DEREK GRAHAM SERVED THE PEOPLE OF FRANKLIN COUNTY AND THE 57TH HOUSE DISTRICT SINCE 2003.

HE SERVES AS CAUCUS LEADER MAKING HIM THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO LEAD THE CAUCUS IN THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

FROM MAY 2013 UNTIL THE END OF 2016 REPRESENTATIVE GRAHAM CHAIRED THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

HE SPENT FOUR YEARS AS HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS CHAIR HE IS A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S BOURBON TRAIL CAPITAL CENTRAL KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKY BLACK LEGISLATIVE CAUCUSES.

HELP ME WELCOME TO THE STAGE LEADER DEREK GRAHAM.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, RENEE.

AND GOOD EVENING EVERYONE AND THANK YOU ALL FOR GIVING ME THIS CHANCE TO SHARE ON THE STAGE ONCE AGAIN WITH GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND MY FELLOW HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERS.

AS SOME OF YOU MAY RECALL, LAST YEAR, WAS MY FIRST TIME SPEAKING AT THIS DINNER.

AND NOW, THIS WILL BE MY LAST.

SINCE I HAVE DECIDED TO RETIRE AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

I COULD SPEND MOST EVERY SECOND UP HERE TALKING ABOUT THE MANY MEMORIES AND THE FRIENDSHIPS I ESTABLISHED WHILE SERVING THE 22 YEARS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

MAKING THAT TIME MORE SPECIAL IS THAT I GREW UP ALMOST RIGHT NEAR THE CAPITOL.

IN THE SHADOW OF THE CAPITOL.

AND I NEVER DREAMED ONE DAY I WOULD BE A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OR EVEN AS A LEADER.

AND GROWING UP IN FRANKFORT GAVE ME A DEEPER APPRECIATION OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A PUBLIC SERVANT.

MY MOTHER WAS ONE.

AND MOST OF MY FRIENDS HAD AT LEAST ONE PARENT WHO FILLED THAT ROLE.

I BECAME ONE MYSELF AS A HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY TEACHER.

AND AS CITY COMMISSIONER IN FRANKFORT AND THEN TO SERVE AS STATE LEGISLATOR.

I CONSIDER MYSELF BLESSED TO BE AMONG THOSE WHO CHOSE AND CONTINUE TO CHOOSE CAREERS DEDICATED TO MAKING LIFE BETTER FOR ALL OF US.

UNTO FORTUNATELY, MANY OF THESE JOBS ARE GETTING TOUGHER THAN THEY SHOULD BE.

MY FORMER PROFESSION IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHAT I MEAN.

ONE IN FOUR TEACHERS DECIDED TO LEAVE THEIR CLASSROOM LAST YEAR AND WHILE NOT ALL LEFT THE PROFESSION, BUT MANY DID.

THE PAY IS TOO LOW.

THE POLITICAL PRESSURE BEING HEAPED ON THEM IS TOO HIGH.

AND WE ASK THEM TO FIX THE WORLD AND THEN REFUSE TO PAY FOR EVEN THE BASIC TOOLS THEY NEED TO DO JUST THAT.

TWO YEARS AGO, WE FINALLY HAD A BUDGET WITH REAL MONEY TO SPEND.

THE FIRST TIME WE COULD SAY THAT SINCE AROUND 2006.

AND, YET, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY COULDN'T FIND A WAY TO RAISE SCHOOL SALARIES BY ANY MEANINGFUL AMOUNT.

MOST SCHOOL DISTRICTS COULD ONLY AFFORD A SMALL RAISE FOR THEIR TEACHERS.

AND JUST ONE IN FULTON, THE FULTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT MATCHED THE 8% RAISE STATE EMPLOYEES GOT AND THEY DESERVED IT IN 2022.

THIS YEAR, WE ARE ON TRACK TO DO THE SAME.

HOUSE LEADERS LIKE TO SAY EVERY BUDGET HAS A HISTORIC FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS.

BUT THE REALITY IS THAT WE ARE WELL BELOW WHERE WE WERE IN 2008.

WHEN YOU FACTOR IN INFLATION.

FOR TOO LONG WE HAVE HAD TO DO MORE WITH LESS.

AND NOW THAT REVENUES ARE BACK, WE ARE INTENTIONALLY DOING LESS DESPITE HAVING MORE.

MY COLLEAGUES WILL COME UP HERE SHORTLY AND TALK ABOUT THE TAX CUTS THAT THEY HAVE MADE AND WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY MAKE IN THE FUTURE.

BUT THEY WON'T TALK ABOUT THE 3.8 BILLION THEY BORROWED IN 2022 OR THEIR 2.7 BILLION BEING BORROWED IN THE HOUSE BUDGET.

THEY WON'T TALK ABOUT THE 5 BILLION THAT THEY WILL HAVE SITTING IDLE MORE THAN TWO YEARS FROM NOW.

AND THEY PROBABLY WON'T TALK ABOUT SPENDING ALMOST 2 BILLION FROM RESERVES THAT THEY SAY IS NOT A REAL EXPENSE.

AND I UNDERSTAND MOST IN THIS ROOM ARE EXCITED ABOUT THESE FUTURE TAX CUTS.

WHAT I AM SAYING IS UNPOPULAR AND I KNOW IT.

BUT IT MUST BE SAID.

WE ARE RUNNING UP ENORMOUS DEBT DESPITE HAVING RECORD RESERVES AND WE ARE USING ACCOUNTING TRICKS TO MEET THE ALREADY LOW THRESHOLD FOR TAX CUTS.

AND WE ARE DOING ALL OF THIS WHILE IGNORING THE VERY REAL NEEDS WE HAVE IN OUR CLASSROOMS AND IN OUR COMMUNITIES ALL ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

ANOTHER THING MY COLLEAGUES WON'T TALK ABOUT IS THE MOST IN TERMS OF RETIREES AND THEY DON'T WANT TO BENEFIT THESE RETIREES.

AND FROM THESE TAX CUTS BECAUSE THEIR INCOME THOSE PEOPLE WHO WORKED FOR THE COUNTY AND THE CITY AS WELL AS STATE GOVERNMENT, MOST BASICALLY THEIR INCOME IS BELOW $31,000.

AND THEY ALREADY EXEMPTED.

THE SAME HOLDS TRUE FOR SOLDIERS ON ACTIVE-DUTY AND OTHERS WHO FOR WHATEVER REASON PAY LITTLE IF ANY INCOME TAX AND MANY IN THE MIDDLE CLASS WON'T SEE MUCH OF A BENEFIT EITHER.

THOSE EARNING $80,000 OR LESS ARE GETTING LESS THAN $6 A WEEK.

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T FOLLOW THE STATE BUDGET CLOSELY, THE STATE INCOME TAX WAS ONCE OUR SINGLE LARGEST SOURCE OF REVENUE.

WE USE THAT MONEY TO TEACH KIDS AND TO KEEP US SAFE AND SECURE AND HAVE A HEALTHY CITIZENRY.

IT'S TRUE WE ADDED A SMALL AMOUNT BY TAXING A FEW DOZEN SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE PAYING PARKING PLACES AND VET BILLS.

BUT THAT IS A DROP IN THE BUCKET.

AND IF YOU ARE A BUSINESS OWNER, AND YOUR LARGEST CUSTOMER PROVIDED 40% OF YOUR BOTTOM LINE HOW WOULD IT FEEL IF I SAID TO HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO GET RID OF THAT CUSTOMER IF YOU WANT YOUR SALES TO GROW?

MOST OF YOU WOULD THINK I'M CRAZY.

AND YET THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE DOING AT THE STATE LEVEL.

AND WHILE WE ARE SIGNIFICANTLY CUTTING REVENUES WE ARE ALSO PRETENDING WE CAN SIPHON AWAY TENS IF NOT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS MORE FOR OTHER THINGS.

THE HOUSE CRIME BILL WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY CAUSE OUR OVERCROWDED JAILS AND PRISONS TO BECOME EVEN MORE OVERCROWDED AND EXPENSIVE.

EFFORTS TO HAVE THE STATE PAY FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLING MEANWHILE, WILL BE ANOTHER ITEM USING THE STATE CHECKBOOK THAT WE CANNOT AFFORD.

ADVOCATES MAY SAY WE WON'T TAKE ANY MONEY FROM EDUCATION.

BUT THAT'S LIKE SAYING MY DECISION TO SPEND A MONTH IN EUROPE WON'T IMPACT WHAT I SPEND ON MY UTILITIES.

AND MAYBE I'M WRONG, AND MAYBE YOU CAN GET RICHER BY TAKING AWAY 40% OF YOUR REVENUES, MAYBE YOU CAN GET RICHER BY BUILDING BIGGER JAILS AND PRISONS.

AND MAYBE YOU CAN GET RICHER BY SPENDING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF TAX DOLLARS ON PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

AND MAYBE YOU CAN GET RICHER BY NOT GIVING OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OUR STATE AGENCIES WHAT THEY NEED.

BUT I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND WHY I AM DOUBTFUL.

IT IS COMMON THAT EVENTS LIKE THESE TO SAY THAT WE ARE AT A CROSSROADS, OR THAT THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SESSION EVER, I WON'T GO QUITE THAT FAR.

BUT WE FIND OURSELVES HEADING IN A DIRECTION I'M WORRIED ABOUT AND THAT WILL COST US DEARLY AND NEEDLESSLY NOT TOO LONG FROM NOW.

I WON'T BE THERE WHEN IT HAPPENS.

BUT I WILL BE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON THE MATTERS JUST THE SAME.

FOR THE SAKE OF KENTUCKY'S FUTURE, I HOPE I AM WRONG.

BUT FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, I WORRY THAT THIS OUTCOME HAS ALREADY PACKED ITS BAGS AND IS HEADING OUR WAY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIS YEAR.

AND THERE WILL BE A LOT OF GOOD THINGS PASSED DURING THIS TIME AND I'M JUST HOPING BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, WE'LL REALIZE THAT DOING LESS WHEN WE HAVE MORE IS NOT A GOOD WAY TO GOVERN.

WHEN WE INVEST IN OURSELVES, GREAT THINGS HAPPEN.

AND WE SHOULD NOT LET THIS OPPORTUNITY PASS US BY.

GOD BLESS YOU AND GOD KEEP YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS NOT ONLY THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMONWEALTH, BUT OUR COMMONWEALTH AS A WHOLE.

THANK YOU, AGAIN.

[APPLAUSE] >> Renee: THANK YOU REPRESENTATIVE.

NEXT I'D LIKE TO INVITE SENATE MINORITY FLOOR LEADER GERALD NEAL TO THE STAGE.

HE WAS ELECTED TO REPRESENT SENATE DISTRICT 33 IN LOUISVILLE IN 1989.

HE IS THE SECOND AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO SERVE IN THE KENTUCKY STATE SENATE AND HOLDS THE TITLE AS DEAN OF THE KENTUCKY SENATE A TITLE GIVEN TO THE LONGEST SERVING MEMBER.

SENATOR NEAL WAS ELECTED TO SERVE AS THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS FOR THE 2023-2024 TERM AND RECEIVED AWARDS AND IS AN INDUCTEE IN THE KENTUCKY CIVIL RIGHTS HALL OF FAME IN 2021.

HELP ME WELCOME GERALD NEAL.

>> I NOTICE YOU DIDN'T STAND UP.

[LAUGHTER] THAT IS A GOOD START FOR ME, RIGHT?

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER AND ALL THOSE THAT ARE HERE ASSEMBLED, I THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION CLAIMER TO SPEAK BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING.

AND RENEE, THANK YOU FOR THAT KIND INTRODUCTION.

YOUR MISSION IN SUPPORTING A PROSPEROUS BUSINESS CLIMATE IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND IN PROMOTING BUSINESS, RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR COLLECTIVE FUTURE.

THOSE WHO STRIVE TO MAKING A BETTER LIFE FOR ALL OF US, I'M TALKING ABOUT THE MOM AND POP EFFORTS TO THE OPERATIONS THAT GOT THE LANDSCAPE THAT WE CALL KENTUCKY.

ALL CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMIC VIBRANCE OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

BUT ALL OPEN DOORS OF POSSIBILITIES THAT GIVE HOPE TO US ALL, ALL OF US, SO THIS EVENING WE FIND OURSELVES AT THE CUSP OF A NEW HORIZON.

BEFORE US LAST NOT JUST THE FIELDS OF BLUEGRASS AND THE STRENGTH OF OUR DISTILLERIES BUT THE BEATING HEART OF OUR COMMONWEALTH'S POTENTIAL.

THIS GATHERING IS EMBLEMATIC OF OUR SHARED COMMITMENT.

IT WAS A TESTAMENT TO THE COLLECTIVE SPIRIT THAT PROPELS KENTUCKY FORWARD.

IT IS A SPIRIT THAT DOESN'T JUST DREAM OF A BETTER TOMORROW.

BUT IS A SPIRIT THAT RECOGNIZES THAT WE ARE AT A POINT OF GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

WE ARE AT A GREAT POINT OF OPPORTUNITY.

OUR COMMONWEALTH RICH IN HISTORY AND VIBRANT IN THE TAPESTRY OF CULTURES, STANDS ON THE THRESHOLDS OF TRANSFORMATIVE GROWTH.

THIS IS NOT MERE INDEPENDENCE, IT'S THE FRUIT OF OUR COLLABORATIVE ENDEAVOR.

SIMPLY EFFORTS THAT HARMONIZES THE ASPIRATIONS OF EVERY KENTUCKIAN IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR ZIP CODE, BACKGROUND, OR AGE.

OUR JOURNEY STEEPED IN UNITY AND I'VE HEARD THOSE WORDS, ACKNOWLEDGES NO BARRIERS.

RECOGNIZES NO DIVIDE.

AND IS DEEPLY ENTRENCHED IN A BELIEF THAT OUR SHARED FUTURE IS INFINITELY BRIGHTER WAS WE MARCH FORWARD TOGETHER.

SHOULD IT BE ANY OTHER WAY?

CAN IT BE ANY OTHER WAY?

IS THAT NOT OUR STRENGTH?

IS THAT NOT OUR PURPOSE?

AS WE PROCEED IN THE 2024 REGULAR SESSION WE ARE PRESENTED WITH A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.

TO SCULPT A BUDGET THAT NOT ONLY PROPELS OUR STATE INTO THE FUTURE BUT ALSO SERVES AS AN IDEAL OF HOPE AND A BLUEPRINT FOR PROSPERITY.

THIS IS OUR CHANCE TO INVEST NOT JUST IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT CONNECTS OUR TOWNS AND CITIES, BUT IN THE VERY FABRIC OF OUR SOCIETY.

OUR PEOPLE.

WE'RE TASKED WITH CRAFTING POLICIES THAT BOOST OUR ECONOMIC ENGINE AND ENRICH THE LIVES OF EVERY CITIZEN.

YET AS WE STAND ON THE BRINK OF UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES, KENTUCKY FACES A DIRE TEACHER SHORTAGE.

A SYMPTOM OF DEEPER SYSTEMIC ISSUES THAT REQUIRE OUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AND ACTION.

I WANT TO SAY THAT AGAIN.

THIS REQUIRES OUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION NOT INACTION.

IF WE ARE TO ENSURE THE PROSPERITY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR FUTURE CITIZENS, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE AS A STATE COMMIT TO SUPPORTING AND REVITALIZING OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM WITH UNMATCHED VIGOR AND RESOLVE.

THE TASK BEFORE US IS TWO FOLD.

TO ADDRESS THE TEACHER SHORTAGE AND RETAIN EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATORS WHO EMPOWER OUR YOUTH.

THIS ENDEAVOR NECESSITATES MORE THAN MERE ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

IT DEMANDS SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT AND COMPETITIVE SALARIES, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE CREATION OF A NURTURING WORK ENVIRONMENT.

THE INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION OF EDUCATORS TO SOCIETY CANNOT BE QUESTIONED.

HOWEVER, THE MISSION TO FORTIFY OUR EDUCATION FOUNDATION DOES NOT END WITHIN THE CONFINES OF SCHOOL WALLS.

IT EXTENDS INTO THE BROADER SPECTRUM OF NEEDS THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT THE ABILITY OF OUR FAMILIES TO THRIVE.

AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE.

HOUSING.

AND THE CREATION OF A ROBUST, A ROBUST MIDDLE CLASS.

WHERE WORKERS ARE TREATED WITH FAIRNESS AND DIGNITY.

CAPABLE OF PROVIDING FOR THEIR LOVED ONES WITHOUT UNDUE STRAIN.

IMAGINE, IMAGINE IF YOU WILL, A KENTUCKY WHERE ACCESS TO EDUCATION IS NOT A PRIVILEGE BUT A RIGHT FOR EVERY CHILD.

WHERE OUR ECONOMIC STRATEGIES ARE AS MULTIFACETED AS THE COMMUNITIES THEY AIM TO UPLIFT.

WHERE HEALTHCARE TRANSCENDS GEOGRAPHICAL AND ECONOMIC BARRIERS ENSURING WELLNESS FOR ALL.

THIS IS A KENTUCKY WE MUST BUILD.

A STATE WHERE POLICIES ARE NOT JUST PATHWAYS TO GROWTH BUT PILLARS OF A SOCIETY THAT VALUES EVERY INDIVIDUAL.

WE'RE DIVERSE IN MANY WAYS.

IT IS NOT THE DIVERSITY OF THOUGHT, EXPERIENCE OR IS IT NOT THE DIVERSITY THOUGHT AND EXPERIENCE AND ASPIRATION THAT CREATES THE RICH RESOURCE FROM WHICH WE DRIVE OUR POSSIBILITIES.

THIS INCLUDES OUR PASTS, PRESENTS, AND THE VISION THAT WE HAVE FOR THE FUTURE.

IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE LEARN FROM THE PAST.

EASTERN THAT WHICH IS UNPLEASANT.

APPLY, APPLY WHAT WE LEARN TOWARD A BETTER AND MORE EQUITABLE PRESENT.

TO CREATE A MORE EQUITABLE FUTURE AND JUST SOCIETY.

WE HAVE A LOT TO CELEBRATE.

HOWEVER WE CANNOT FIX THAT WHICH WE REFUSE TO FACE.

IN A REALM OF BUSINESS AND COMMERCE, DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INSURANCE COLLUSION ARE NOT MERE TRENDS BUT PILLARS THAT ENSURE RESILIENCE, INNOVATION, AND SUSTAINABILITY.

AS WE CELEBRATE ON THE FISCAL POLICIES AND LEGISLATIVE AGENDA LET US VIEW THEM WITH AN ETHOS THAT CHAMPIONS NOT ONLY ECONOMIC GROWTH BUT SOCIETAL WELL-BEING.

OUR MISSION IS CLEAR.

TO FOSTER AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE BUSINESSES THRIVE, EDUCATION IS ACCESSIBLE, HEALTHCARE IS A UNIVERSAL RIGHT, AND OPPORTUNITIES ARE ABUND EMPTY FOR ALL.

ABUND END FOR ALL.

THE JOURNEY CALLS FOR COLLABORATION ACROSS PARTY LINES BETWEEN URBAN CENTERS AND RURAL EXPANSES AMONG INDUSTRIES.

IT REQUIRES US TO LISTEN, REALLY LISTEN TO THE VOICES OF OUR CITIZENS TO EMBRACE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS AND ABOVE ALL TO ACT WITH COURAGE.

THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY TO EMBRACE BOLT -- THE COURAGE TO PRIORITIZE THE COLLECTIVE GOOD.

AND TO DREAM OF A FUTURE THAT IS INCLUSIVE OF ALL KENTUCKIANS TOGETHER, TOGETHER.

SO AS WE LOOK TO THE FUTURE, LET US DRAW INSPIRATION FROM THE BEAUTY OF OUR STATE.

THE RESILIENCE OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE POTENTIAL OF OUR PEOPLE.

LET OUR PATH BE GUIDED BY OPTIMISM A SHARED COMMITMENT TO UPLIFT EVERY KENTUCKIAN AND STEADFAST BELIEF IN OUR COLLECTIVE ABILITY TO OVERCOME ANY CHALLENGE.

TONIGHT, I EXTEND AN INVITATION TO EACH OF YOU, LEADERS OF INDUSTRY, CHAMPIONS OF COMMERCE AND STEWARDS OF COMMUNITY, JOIN HANDS IN THIS NOBLE ENDEAVOR TOGETHER, TOGETHER, LET US FORGE A KENTUCKY THAT IS EQUITABLE, INCLUSIVE, AND PROSPEROUS.

A KENTUCKY THAT STANDS AS A TESTAMENT TO HOW WE UNITE IN SPIRIT.

IN CONCLUSION I WILL LEAVE YOU WITH THE WISE WORLD'S GREATEST MOHAMMED ALI.

WHO ONCE SAID WE HAVE MORE IN COMMON THAN WE HAVE DIFFERENCES.

IF PEOPLE CAN LEARN TO HATE, THEY CAN BE TAUGHT TO LOVE.

FOR LOVE COMES MORE NATURALLY TO THE HUMAN HEART THAN ITS OPPOSITE.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR HAVING ME.

GOD BLESS YOU AND GOD BLESS THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

[APPLAUSE] >> NOTICE LEADER NEAL, YOU GOT THE STANDING OVATION YOU WERE SEEKING.

YOU CAN REMAIN STANDING SO I CAN WELCOME THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, DAVID OSBORNE.

[APPLAUSE] WHO SERVED SINCE 2005 AND REPRESENTATIVES OLDHAM COUNTY AND HAS AWARDS INCLUDING THE CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE THE PREVENT CHILD ABUSE, MARY ELLEN AWARD.

THE MULTIPLE MVP AWARDS FROM THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER.

WELCOME AGAIN, HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, RENEE.

THANK YOU ALL IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE WITH YOU THIS EVENING.

YOU KNOW, WHEN WE INITIALLY GOT THE INVITATION FOR THIS YEAR'S EVENT, IT WAS PROPOSED THAT IF WE WENT UNDER OUR TIME LIMIT THAT WE WOULD GET TO DESIGNATED CHARITY 0 TO RECEIVE MONEY.

I WAS ALL IN AND READY TO SAY HELLO AND GOOD-BYE AND GET OFF THE STAGE.

I DID WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT DEREK GRAHAM.

THANK YOU FOR 22 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMONWEALTH.

[APPLAUSE] WHILE WE DON'T ALWAYS DEGREE I'VE KNOWN YOU TO BE A MAN OF INTEGRITY AND COMPASSION AND APPRECIATE YOUR ADVOCACY FOR YOUR CONSTITUENTS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

I WILL MISS YOU, DEREK, AND I WISH YOU EVERY BIT OF HAPPINESS IN YOUR RETIREMENT.

I'M HONORED TO BE HERE TONIGHT TO DELIVER A MESSAGE ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

WE ARE IN DAY 27 FOR THOSE THAT ARE COUNTING THAT IS 31 SHOPPING DAYS UNTIL VETO PERIOD.

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE GOVERNOR GIVES US TO CELEBRATE WITH.

AS YOU ALL KNOW WE SENT THE SENATE A BUDGET LAST WEEK THAT YET AGAIN PROVIDES A RESPONSIBLE APPROACH FOR THE FUNDING FOR THE STATE AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS.

JASON PETRI, JOSH BRAY AND FORMER VOICE CHAIR HAVE WORKED WITH STAKEHOLDERS THAT CAN CRAFT A SPENDING PLAN THAT PROVIDES FOR OUR NEEDS FOR A STRONG FUTURE.

DON'T WORRY PRESIDENT STIVERS I'M CONFIDENT YOUR CHAMBER WILL FIND A WAY TO MAKE THIS SPECTACULAR DOCUMENT JUST A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

IN THE MEANTIME HOUSE BILL 6 CONTINUES OUR COMMITMENT TO PRIORITIZE INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

AND THIS BUDGET PRO INDIVIDUALS RECORD FUNDING FOR K-12 EDUCATION.

LET ME BE CLEAR.

NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES PEOPLE SAY TO THE CONTRARY, RECORD FUNDING ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION, RECORD FUNDING MORE THAN $1.3 BILLION THIS YEAR OVER WHAT WE FUNDED LAST TIME.

[APPLAUSE] AND, GOVERNOR, YOU CAN HAVE ALL THE ZOOM CALLS AND PRESS CONFERENCES YOU WANT, IT DOES NOT MAKE WHAT YOU ARE SAYING THE TRUTH.

THE FACT IS WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEE RAISES AND WE DO SO IN A MANNER THAT ALLOWS LOCAL DISTRICTS TO SET THEIR PRIORITIES.

HOUSE BILL 6 INCLUDES $5 BILLION TO FUND PENSIONS.

FAR MORE THAN WE'RE LEGAL WILL I REQUIRED BUT NONETHELESS NECESSARIES BECAUSE OF THE FAILURES OF PREVIOUS GOVERNORS AND LEGISLATURES.

WE ALSO SENT THE SENATE BILL 1 THIS LEGISLATION TAPS STATE RESOURCES TO MAKE $1.8 BILLION IN ONE-TIME INVEST MANIES IN INFRASTRUCTURE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ADDITIONAL PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS.

WE WILL ONLY MAKE THESE ONE-TIME INVESTMENTS WITH ONE-TIME MONEY.

WE MADE SAVINGS A PRIORITY AND WE NOW HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT ONE-TIME INVESTMENTS THAT WILL LEAD TO GENERATIONAL CHANGE.

WE FOCUSED ON OUR NEEDS.

AND WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE PLENTY.

WE HAVE A 4.5 BILLION RESERVE AND OVER THE LAST 60 DAYS I'VE MET WITH 4.5 BILLION THAT HAVE 4.5 BILLION WAYS AT THAT TIME WE CAN SPEND THAT RESERVE.

AND WE CAN SPEND MORE, OBVIOUSLY.

BUT WE WILL NEVER SPEND AS MUCH AS SOME PEOPLE WANT US TO SPEND.

THE CRITICAL PART IS THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE CRITICAL OF US NOT SPENDING MORE DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT WE CANNOT SPEND OUR WAY OUT OF THE CHALLENGES THAT OUR STATE FACES.

IN REALITY, IT IS OUR JOB TO KEEP GOVERNMENT FOCUSED ON ITS MISSION AND LET THOSE OF YOU HERE IN THIS AUDIENCE WHO CREATE JOBS AND GROW BUSINESSES AND GROW THIS ECONOMY, DO WHAT YOU ALL DO BEST WHILE WE STAY OUT OF YOUR WAY.

[APPLAUSE] SINCE BEING GIVEN THE MAJORITY IN 2016, WE'VE ADOPTED POLICIES AIMED AT DROING OUR ECONOMY AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

WE'VE MODERNIZED OUR TAX CODE, RETOOLED UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, ELIMINATED RIGHT TO WORK AND RESTRUCTURED WORKERS COMP, WE REINED IN GOVERNOR OF GOVERNMENT OVERREACH AND INVESTED IN ECONOMIC TOOLS.

AND WE'VE PASSED A PLAN TO ELIMINATE OUR INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX.

THIS YEAR KENTUCKIANS WILL KEEP $1.2 BILLION MORE OF THEIR HARD-EARNED MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS AS A RESULT OF HOUSE BILL 8 THAT IS THE PUBLIC POLICY THAT IS TRANSFORMATIONAL FOR THIS STATE.

THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS ALSO AMASSED THE LARGEST BUDGET RESERVE IN THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE.

POSITIONED US TO BE BETTER PREPARED FOR BOTH FUTURE CHALLENGES WERE FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES.

WE'VE DELIVERED BROADBAND AND WE PLACED MILES OF AGING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS THE STATE.

THIS LEGISLATURE INVESTED IN OUR UNIVERSITIES, COMMUNITY COLLEGES, TECHNICAL SCHOOLS AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION.

THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT WAS IN MY OFFICE JUST YESTERDAY AND MADE THE OBSERVATION THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL IS THE BEST FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN A GENERATION.

WE'VE ALSO ADDRESSED THE BIGGEST FINANCIAL CRISIS THAT OUR STATE HAS SEEN AND THAT IS OUR PENSIONS.

OVER 20 BILLION IN MAJOR REFORMS IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.

OF COURSE WE'VE HEARD Y'ALL HAVE HEARD A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THESE THINGS FROM THE GOVERNOR.

HE SPENT THE ENTIRE CAMPAIGN LAST YEAR PUBLICLY ENDORSING EVERY BILL THAT HE HAS VETOED, SUED US OVER OR PATENTLY DISREGARDED.

IT'S GOOD TO KNOW HE IS FINALLY CAUGHT UP.

ALL THIS TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS THE SENATE THAT WAS SLOW TO CATCH ON TO THINGS.

JUST KIDDING.

ROBERT AND HIS TEAM DOWN IN THE SENATE ARE GREAT PARTNERS IN HELPING US MAKE KENTUCKY A BETTER PLACE.

EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM KNOWS THAT WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO.

AND LOOKING AHEAD, WE ALSO KNOW THAT CRIME IMPACTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THAT IS WHY WE APPROVED HOUSE BILL 5.

LEGISLATION LED BY JARED BOWMAN THAT WILL MAKE LAW-ABIDING KENTUCKIANS SAFER.

REMAIN FOCUSED ON INCREASING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE INCLUDING THE LEGISLATION AIMED AT IMPROVING MATERNAL HEALTH.

AND OF COURSE WE MUST CONTINUE IDENTIFYING BARRIERS TO THE WORKFORCE.

UNDER THE LEADERSHIP WE CREATED THE EMPLOYER CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP AND THIS SESSION WE MOVED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW EMPLOYERS TO VOLUNTARY OFFER PAID-FAMILY-LEAVE INSURANCE.

IT ALSO MEANS TAKING STEPS TO TACKLE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE REFORM.

UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF SPEAKER DAVID MEADE AND REPRESENTATIVE JONATHAN DIXON WE'VE MADE GREAT STRIDES.

AND OBVIOUSLY WE WILL REMAIN FOCUSED ON STRENGTHENING EDUCATION IN KENTUCKY.

TOMORROW'S WORKFORCE IS SITTING IN TODAY'S CLASSROOMS AND WE ARE OBLIGATED TO DO MORE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE PREPARED.

OVER THE PAST SEVEN YEARS, WE HAVE PROVIDED HISTORIC FUNDING AND ADDRESSED LITERACY, STUDENT DISCIPLINE AND THE TEACHER SHORTAGE.

AND WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY SUCCESS STORIES OF OUR EXISTING SYSTEMS, YOU CANNOT IGNORE THE FACT THAT MORE THAN HALF OF OUR STUDENTS DO NOT READ AT GRADE LEVEL.

YOU CANNOT IGNORE THAT LESS THAN HALF ARE PROFICIENT IN MATH.

THIS SESSION, WE WILL CONSIDER HOUSE BILL 2 SPONSORED BY MILES LEGISLATION ALLOWS YOU AND OTHER KENTUCKIANS TO CLARIFY THAT WE HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY CHILD HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY LIVE OR HOW MUCH MONEY THEIR PARENTS HAVE.

THE 130-YEAR-OLD CONSTITUTION WAS CREATED WHEN PUBLIC EDUCATION MEANT A ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE NO IEP'S AND A SCHEDULE THAT PRIORITIZED FARM WORK.

A VOTE FOR THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IS NOT A VOTE AGAINST PUBLIC EDUCATION.

IT IS A VOTE FOR THE VERY KIDS THAT THEY SERVE.

IN CLOSING, THANK YOU ALL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ONGOING COMMITMENT TO PROSPERITY IN OUR STATE.

YOUR DEDICATION, INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT ARE A BIG PART OF WHAT MAKES KENTUCKY A BETTER PLACE.

TOGETHER, LET'S CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE HAVE MADE AND UNLOCK THE FULL POTENTIAL OF OUR GREAT COMMONWEALTH.

THANK YOU ALL.

[APPLAUSE] >> LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THANK YOU, Mr. SPEAKER.

WE INVITE THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE ROBERT STIVERS TO THE STAGE.

SENATE PRESIDENT WAS ELECTED IN 19197 AND REPRESENTS THE 25TH DISTRICT AND SERVED AS MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER FROM 2008 UNTIL ELECTED SENATE PRESIDENT IN 2012.

IN 2015 PRESIDENT STIVERS WAS HONORED BY GOVERNING MAGAZINE AS PUBLIC OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR.

IN 2016 HE WAS CHAIR OF THE SOUTHERN LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE.

IN 2018 CHAIRED THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS.

HE CURRENTLY SERVES ON THE BOARD OF THE PRESIDENT'S SENATORS FORUM.

JOIN ME IN WELCOMING SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS.

[APPLAUSE] SHE ALWAYS TELLS ME THAT I'M HER MOST FAVORITE SENATE PRESIDENT.

AND ALSO HAPPENS TO BE I'M HER WORST SENATE PRESIDENT BECAUSE I'M THE ONLY SENATE PRESIDENT.

I THANK THE CHAMBER FOR COMING HERE TONIGHT AND INVITING US.

ALL THE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE COME.

IT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO BE WITH 2,000 OF YOUR NEW FOUND BEST FRIENDS.

EVERYBODY'S WANTING SOMETHING LIKE DAVID OSBORNE SAID.

AND THEY ALL HAVE THEORIES TO DEAL WITH IT.

BUT I WANT TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF FUN TODAY BEFORE I GET INTO WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN.

SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES FROM THROUGHOUT THE STATE I SERVE ON A LOT OF NATIONAL BOARDS SAID THEY WERE AWARE THAT WE HAD HAD OUR ELECTIONS AND SOMEBODY CALL ME AND SAID, HEY LOOK, I UNDERSTAND THE SECRETARY OF STATE GOT REELECTED AGAIN.

I SAID YEAH, SECOND TERM.

I SAID WE SAW HIM ON A MAGAZINE -- I WISH HE WERE HERE TONIGHT -- WE SAW HIM ON A MAGAZINE COVER IN OUR STATE AND PROBABLY THINKING THIS FILE FOLDER IS FULL OF NOTES.

IT'S NOT I'VE NEVER USED NOTES IN THE 10 TIMES I'VE DONE THIS.

I TOLD HIM SEND ME THE MAGAZINE COVER.

GOT IT IN THE MAIL THE OTHER DAY AND LET ME SHOW YOU WHAT IT WAS.

[LAUGHTER] I LOOKED AND SAID THAT IS SIMILAR TO -- I HEAR DAMON CLAPPING YOU ARE NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET.

HE ALSO CALLED ME AND SAID I'VE GOT ANOTHER PHOTO WE SAW THE GOVERNOR IN A FISH AND WILDLIFE MAGAZINE.

I SAID IN YOUR STATE?

HE SAID YEAH.

I GOT IT.

I LOOKED AT IT.

WHEN THEY SENT IT TO ME IN THE MAIL AGAIN.

AND I THOUGHT YEP, THIS IS THE GOVERNOR.

HE SENT ME A PHOTO OF A LAME-DUCK.

NOW, I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT MY COLLEAGUES.

AND THIS IS MY 28TH YEAR.

AND WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF GOOD THINGS AND I KNOW THAT MY SENATE LEADERSHIP IS HERE SEVERAL ARE.

DAY MON THAYER IS HERE, MIKE WILSON IS HERE.

CHRIS McDANIEL IS OUR CHAIRMAN OF APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE.

THEY ARE REALLY GOOD GROUP TO WORK WITH.

AND THEY HAVE DONE GREAT THINGS.

AND I WANT TO SAY THIS...

WHEN DAY MON SAID HE DAMON SAID HE WAS RETIRING I WAS THINKING ABOUT IT, TOO.

BUT AS I'VE TOLD YOU BEFORE, YOU NEED TO LOOK AT ME NOW AND LOOK AT ME FOR WHAT I SAY BEFORE DAMON.

MY HAIR'S GRAY.

IT'S THINNING.

AND I THOUGHT AFTER DAMON ANNOUNCED THAT, MAYBE I WILL STICK AROUND BECAUSE MAYBE MY HAIR WILL GO BACK TO BEING THIS THICK AND THIS DARK ONCE HE'S LEFT.

BUT LET ME SAY THIS AND BE SERIOUS.

WE HAVE DONE SOME EXTRAORDINARY THINGS.

AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE CHAMBER AGENDA STARTING IN 2016 WHEN DAVID OSBORNE AND HIS GROUP CAME INTO POWER AND AUTHORITY IN THE HOUSE, GO THROUGH ALL THE THINGS WE DID, WE PRODUCED BILLS THAT PUT US AS A RIGHT TO WORK STATE.

WE REPEALED PREVAILING WAGE.

WE DID PENSION REFORMS.

WE DID TAX REFORMS.

WORKER COMP REFORMS.

WE CREATED BUSINESS FRIENDLY POLICIES.

THAT SPURRED THE BOURBON INDUSTRY AND THE HORSE INDUSTRIES TO THE HEIGHTS THEY NOW SEE THAT ARE UNPRECEDENTED.

IN THIS STATE.

WE DID THAT FOR ALL BUSINESSES.

SO IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE TRUE TRAJECTORY OF WHEN WE STARTED SEEING PAYMENT ON OUR DEBTS AND PENSIONS IT STARTED IN 2017.

IT CONTINUES TODAY.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR RATINGS, BOND RATINGS, OUR BUSINESS RATINGS, OUR TAX RATINGS IT STARTED WHEN WE STARTED REDUCING THE INCOME TAXES, THE AD VALOREM TAXES AND THE LOCAL TAXES AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO DO AGAIN THIS SESSION.

WE NEED TO GIVE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET RID OF OCCUPATIONAL TAXES WHICH ARE NOTHING MORE THAN A PERSONAL INCOME TAX AND MANY PLACES A HIGHER TAX RATE THAN WHAT THE STATE'S TAX RATE IS RIGHT NOW.

HOPEFULLY WE'LL PASS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WHICH WILL GIVE US THAT ABILITY TO GO TO A CONSUMPTION TAX AND BECOME MORE COMPETITIVE ON THE NATIONAL SCENE.

BE MORE LIKE TENNESSEE, TEXAS, FLORIDA, NORTH CAROLINA.

THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE HAVE DONE ARE HIGH IMPACT INVESTMENTS.

THE INVESTMENTS THAT WE WILL TAKE UP AND DO IN THIS BUDGET, I AGAIN, THINK WILL BE HIGH IMPACT INVESTMENTS.

THINGS THAT LEAD US INTO THE FUTURE, THINGS THAT WILL MAKE US PROSPEROUS, ITEMS THAT WILL LOOK AT BOTH RURAL AND URBAN AREAS.

AND MAYBE, MAYBE, WE WILL DO SOMETHING IN SOME OF THE POOREST AREAS OF THE STATE AND WE'VE HEARD ABOUT FOUR LANING THE MOUNTAIN PARKWAY, MAYBE IT'S TIME TO FOUR LANE THE HAL ROGERS PARK WAY THROUGH SOME OF THE POOREST COUNTIES IN KENTUCKY AND THE UNITED STATES GOING FROM LONDON TO HAZARD LEADING INTO HAZARD TO OPEN UP THAT AREA OF THE STATE AND GIVE US THE EXEFT ACTIVE ADVANTAGES THERE.

THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT WE HAVE LOOKED AT AND I WANT TO SAY THIS ABOUT MY COLLEAGUES IN THE HOUSE.

TO SPEAKER OSBORNE AND HIS GROUP THEY HAVE SENT US A VERY GOOD BUDGET.

AND I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO TRY TO FINISH BEFORE THE EIGHT MINUTES SINCE NOBODY ELSE DID KNOWING THAT I'M THE ONLY THING BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE BAR AND YOU ALL.

BUT WE WILL SEND HIGH IMPACT, HIGH IMPACT DECISIONS, HIGH IMPACT INVESTMENTS TO CHANGE THIS STATE.

AND TODAY, I FILED SENATE BILL 1.

SENATE BILL 1 IS A BILL THAT WILL ENCOURAGE COLLABORATION AND COOPERATION BETWEEN OUR UNIVERSITIES.

WE LOVE TO SEE THEM TO PLAY ON THE BASKETBALL COURTS.

AND THE FOOTBALL FIELDS.

BUT WHY SHOULD WE SIT HERE BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE, NORTHERN KENTUCKY AND MURRAY AND ARGUE OVER WHO SHOULD DEAL WITH AI AND CYBERSECURITY?

THIS BILL WILL CREATE FIVE TRANCHES OF MONEY THAT TWO UNIVERSITIES WILL HAVE TO APPLY FORETHAT MONEY.

LOOKING AT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, MUCH, MUCH AS WE DID SOME 20 YEARS AGO WITH THE SPINE AND BRAIN INJURY TRUST FUND THAT LOOKED AT TISSUE REGENERATION AND OTHER INJURIES TO SEE HOW WE COULD INVEST IN HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATION.

SO WHY NOT DO THIS FOR AVIATION AND AEROSPACE.

YOU SEE EASTERN AND MOORHEAD COME TOGETHER AND NORTHERN KENTUCKY AND MURRAY WORK TOGETHER LET'S SEE U OF L AND WESTERN COME TOGETHER TO HAVE CUTTING EDGE RESEARCH AND CREE A8 A DYNAMIC IN THIS STATE AS THERE IS IN BOSTON WHERE THERE'S 30,000 UNFILLED JOBS IN THE BIOMILLION DOLLAR AREA.

GO TO THE TRIANGLE IN NORTH CAROLINA WHERE THERE IS LESS THAN 1% UNEMPLOYMENT OR GO TO INDIANAPOLIS AND LOOK AT THE LANDSCAPE DOMINATED BY ELI LILLEY AND HIRING CHEMISTS EVERYDAY OR DES MOINES WHERE THEY ARE DOING RESEARCH.

LET'S DON'T BE COMPETITORS LET'S BE COLLABORATORS.

LET'S LOOK AT AND SEE HOW WE CAN DEVELOP CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY AND BE COMPETITIVE IN AN ERA AND A WORLD THAT IS NOW MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION.

WE HAVE THE TIME.

WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY.

AND WE HAVE THE RESOURCES.

SO I ASK YOU AND ENCOURAGE YOU HELP US IN THESE AREAS, COME UP AND CONTINUE TO KEEP US ON THE TRAJECTORY THAT WE CREATED STARTING IN 2017 AND HAVE CONTINUED THROUGH 2024.

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

GOD BLESS, GOD BLESS KENTUCKY AND BE SAFE GOING HOME.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT STIVERS.

NOW, I'M THE ONLY THING BETWEEN YOU AND THE BAR AND THE CAR.

SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

WE APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU.

REMINDER THE ANNUAL MEETING THE DINNER AT THE ONLIMY HOTEL IS IN LOUISVILLE ON SEPTEMBER 18TH AND WE THANK THE SPEAKERS FIDELITY INVESTMENTS, BROWN FORM AND ALL THE SPONSORS FOR MAKES THIS EVENT POSSIBLE.

I'M RENEE SHAW HAVE A GOOD SAFE TRAVEL HOME.

GOD BLESS.