Good evening again.

We thank you for taking your seats.

And while you are taking your seat, if you will give a round of applause to the culinary team here tonight for the delicious, not safer.

We would like to begin tonight's program by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and here to lead us is a van June's Hackett.

A vote is a 9th grade student at Johnson Central High School from flag at Kentucky.

And the 2024 national civics be Kentucky state champion.

Please give a rousing welcome 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 Earl.

>> Thank You may be seated.

Thank you.

Well, welcome to the THIRTIETH annual Kentucky Chamber Day.

And as we said, We hope you enjoyed the mail.

We are so 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 is open.

Kentucky's legislative session by hosting the state's largest gathering of business leaders, legislators and local chambers of commerce for an evening of networking and protections for this year's session.

Before we continue, I would like for us to take a moment of silence to reflect on the life and legacy of President Jimmy Carter.

His service, humility and dedication to humanity and spire countless people across the nation and the world and left a lasting impact on communities, including here in Kentucky.

We also want to pause to honor the victims of the devastating attack on New Year's Eve.

A reminder of the importance of unity, compassion and resilience in times of tragedy.

And of course, we are holding close and thought the folks in California as they battle historic wildfires.

So please join me now in a moment of silence.

And now.

I have the honor of introducing our first speaker and 63rd governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear grew-up in central Kentuckyian graduated from Henry Clay High School before attending Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia School of Law his family and community instilled in him, the values of faith, family and public service.

He leaned on those values more than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic.

And during 2 historic natural disasters, the western Kentucky tornadoes on the eastern Kentucky floods, even as our state faced some of its toughest challenges.

Governor Beshear has prioritized bringing good paying jobs to every corner of the commonwealth since he took office in December of 2019, the private sector has announced nearly 34 billion dollars in investment and team Kentucky has attracted more than 1000 economic development projects creating more than 57,500 full-time jobs.

This is the largest investment amount under any governor in Kentucky's history.

Governor Beshear has stayed laser focused on helping our people find great job so they can earn more and with the cooperation and leadership of the General Assembly, the state has also lowered income and property taxes so families can save more.

The governor and his wife first lady Britainy Beshear along with their 2 children live in Frankfort and are active in Louisville's Bear grass Christian Church.

Please help me.

Welcome Governor Andy Beshear.

>> In Kentucky are moving forward together.

Our businesses are winning.

In.

Our families are private.

Because Kentucky is a place where business is fast.

Okay.

So life is just right.

We found a way to create a brighter future by working together.

Why leading with our values of kindness and hard work.

We're looking at a new Kentucky.

One where good jobs and good life for possible for everyone.

We are all interested.

We don't blame you.

So come explore.

Kentucky.

Home.

♪ >> Thank you, Renee.

And good evening as 2025.

Again, we're coming off yet another storm event in Winter Storm Blair.

The storm dumped more than 8 inches of snow and more than a half an inch of ice over most of the Commonwealth.

Mother Nature hit us hard, but we were ready.

As of today.

We have no reported fatalities and no major injuries.

99% of power has been restored.

Let's hear it for our utility and our utility worker.

Thanks to our county judges.

Warming centers are over Kentucky.

So Mike Ashley asked us, let's take a moment to thank our meteorologist road crews, emergency personnel until any workers for their incredible work these last several days.

I think about these last 5 years and all that we've been through a pandemic, a tornado floods.

Winter storms, polar plunges, more flights, more tornadoes.

But none of that.

None of it can dampen the optimism that we collectively should feel about.

Our state.

Last night.

Presented the state of the Commonwealth and if you tune in to hear it, get ready to hear most of it again.

But as I said last night, the state of our Commonwealth is strong and it's growing stronger.

It's growing stronger because every day we're welcoming more businesses, more families and more visitors to our New Kentucky home.

As I said, then right now.

There on Kentucky.

We've learned that through our collective achievement by getting things done and by breaking record after a record after a record.

Renee mentioned over the past 5 years, we've now announced a record 35 billion dollars in private sector investment in Kentucky.

IM not over the same period we broke in the job creation record creating more jobs than any other administration.

And you can bet I call my dad reminded of that every night.

We've broken the all-time exports record, meaning your business.

He's now global.

We broke our tourism record in 2023. and we fully expect 2024 to be the best year in Kentucky.

History for tourism.

Let's thank everybody in that industry.

Because of your work and all of our work.

We're just not looking at the thing.

Kentucky anymore.

And that's why you saw that video right now is our time the right time to reintroduce ourselves to the world, to leave the stereotypes of the past in the past and welcome the world to our new Kentucky.

Hello.

Our new Kentucky home is a place where your pace, the businesses bat.

But the pace of life, it's just right.

That's a state that based on our work ranked number 2 and 3 m per kid per capita economic development in back-to-back years.

One of the only states that's the carrot upgrades from all 3 major bond rating agencies.

A place built in 3 of the largest battery plant on planet Earth.

And we just announced a 4th.

There's so much to be proud of.

Like I said the other night.

The greatest thing about it.

It's how we got here.

By finding common ground by applying common sense and then getting after it and making good things happen for our people.

I think making good things happen starts with the recognition that people don't wake up thinking about whether they're Democrat or Republican.

They don't wake up thinking about their their party or politics.

They wake up thinking about their job and whether they make enough to support their family.

I wake up thinking about their next doctor's appointment for themselves, their parents or their kids.

They wake up thinking about the roads and bridges.

They're going to drive that day.

I wake up thinking about the public school.

They're dropping their kids off that and wake up thinking about safety in the communities that we all call home.

None of those concerns.

Our political and none of them should be partisan.

So my goal over these next 3 years is just a laser focus on creating more and better jobs, more affordable and accessible health care, safer roads and bridges and the best education for our children.

Let's continue to make sure our communities are safer.

But people wake up feeling safer every day.

I mentioned earlier that we broke that job creation record.

Our number 2 economic development is now 59,000, 800 new jobs over the past 5 years.

But that doesn't include all those new jobs to the tourism development projects and add those we're talking about 64,000 new jobs.

64,000.

It's a big number, but it's not really a number of 64,000.

Kentuckians, 64,000 families, 64,000 of our neighbors that are less stressed about paying bills at the end of the month and put food on their table.

And as we enter 2025, we want to look back on last year and we ought to be proud.

2024 has been one of our best years ever here in the Commonwealth.

We rank 4th in our history in terms of private sector investment.

We announced 7.2 5 billion dollars of investment and over 11,100 new jobs this last year, we're creating these jobs.

We must continue to ensure our work force is strong and it's ready for the future.

And thanks to your help with broken records there, too.

It was back in 2023 that for the first time we filled more than 2 million jobs here in the commonwealth.

We've been above that number ever sense.

But we know it takes hard work so we must continue to work to make it easier and faster for you.

Our companies to develop your workforce.

That's why we innovated and at the state level of the largest new projects are now going to receive a trained workforce coordinator.

That coordinator will connect your company to our amazing career and technical education programs in our public schools now work with our kctcs campuses that now have amazing training opportunities and they're going to work with our universities that are adapting to this new economy.

We must continue the work of flight development knowing that every fight we feel means there's one less for the next company.

We've got to KET that catalog current.

And finally, especially at the request of our regional chambers.

We must invest in a talent attraction program.

With all these jobs.

We need more people to see what's so special.

And our new Kentucky home and a talent attraction program run by the state and regional agencies that do this work every day, we'll provide more and more talent for your companies because of our collective work and that everyone because economic development is a team sport.

Our economy is surging and we're becoming a national leader, keeping this momentum going.

It means we can't lose our humanity as we proceed to make the gains that we have always wanted.

When a neighbor loses a loved one.

We're there to lend a hand.

we don't ask who they voted for when a person attends your churches sick.

We'll check their voter registration.

And when a child's friend needs a ride to an event, we're practice.

We don't look at their social media.

You know, our job should be able to act.

And Karen towards one another to provide that compassion and help that our fellow human being needs.

And when people see us doing that, when people see you in your companies do that.

It grows.

People want to join and be a part of that.

I believe that this year and moving forward is our chance.

Not just to be an economic leader, but to be a moral leader to show that you don't have to choose between one or the other things like reducing recidivism being a second chance employer.

Things like investing in your communities.

Hiring that person that is in recovery.

There's so many things that each and every one of our businesses that are here tonight already do and can continue to do that can lift all of our people up with all these jobs that we have right now, folks, there doesn't have to be an U.S. versus of them.

It can be all of us.

Simply by making that extra step and that extra work we can fight Inter generational poverty in a way we've never seen simply through prosperity.

So my a** is that in this next year we push out all the noise.

We don't let the DC division come into our state because this is the best window of opportunity and prosperity that I've seen in my lifetime.

And we cannot trip ourselves up.

This is our chance to lead a collective legacy that will reverberate not just for our kids, but for multiple generations to be the generation that changed everything in Kentucky and make sure we left the very best for those that are coming after us right now.

We are climbing every ranking.

We've always prayed about.

And then we've always wanted to.

And our goal should be to continue to spread as fast as we can.

As long as we can.

And if we can do that and continue to show each other kindness, generosity, patients, even forgiveness.

And we can show the rest of the country and the rest of the world how Democrats, Republicans, independents, neighbors, people from different sides of the state and that root for different basketball teams.

Can get along and can do special and amazing things.

I want to thank all of you here tonight because I've worked with almost all of you and I know your heart is in this place.

The reason that we launched our New Kentucky home is we have a chance to take everything we love about this commonwealth and spread it to the world.

With an invitation to join.

And now is our time.

So thank you.

All are members of the General Assembly who do their best working.

That's hard as they can.

Thank you.

All of our mayors and county Judge Executive Suite worked so h*** o* to expand infrastructure and bring in those new jobs.

Thank you to all our businesses.

They believe in Kentucky.

Every time you have an expansion.

It proves your competent enough and it lets a cell that confidence to others.

And remember, there's always room for us to grow for you to go out and for us to welcome that new company to their new Kentucky.

Hello, I believe that God has granted us this chance to do really special things.

And for the rest of the world to truly see who we are.

So God bless you all.

Thank Way over my time.

Good night.

>> Our next speaker of this House minority floor leader Pam Stevenson.

Newly minted.

Colonel Bam Stevenson, U.S. Air Force Retired was born and raised in a union family in Louisville, Kentucky admitted to both the Indiana in Kentucky bars.

She has been licensed to practice law since 1984, during Colonel Pam's 27 year.

Service has an attorney.

She provided legal services to military members and programming to equip and empower military members and their families.

Colonel Steven's that he's honored to continue her public service as Kentucky State representative for the party 43rd House district and was recently elected as the new minority floor leader.

Please count me in welcoming Representative Stevenson.

>> Early 2000 people can be louder than that.

I want to thank you so much.

I'm excited to be here with my colleagues.

I'm excited to be here with the governor and most importantly.

Hi, good to be here with the leaders that Kentucky's County not and that would be you.

>> We can do anything that we set our mind to.

And this is how I know.

>> Renee told Rice served 27 years in the United States Air Force.

I consider myself a servant leader.

I retired at the rank of Colonel.

I went all over this world, Croatia, Germany, Italy, the Middle East, and of course, America.

I did the work of a prosecutor.

Defense Council allow senior attorney and I worked with the State Department, the 9.11 Commission engine, the United Nations.

This is what I now.

No matter what the language, no matter what the culture, no matter what the issue, why not?

>> We all want the same thing.

We want our children to do better.

We want our families to thrive.

And more importantly, this one like we have.

>> We want to make a difference.

And that's what this is about.

I mean, everything.

What do you like this coming together for the good of one thing?

In all the different places that I've been.

Mostly when we were resolving conflict in those foreign countries, there was a lot of hate those a lot of anxiety.

There was a lot of you and them and not us.

And we have shown not only ourselves, but we've shown the world, but there is power in >> Now, yeah.

I would like to think that.

>> I've been Mary 42 years and I'm sure that he agrees with everything last night.

So why is it that we come into a public place?

And we think we have to agree on everything.

I can't we start with where we are in agreement and ground to make sure that the things we agree on that all children should be love, nurtured and care for the AL pennant camera should be thriving that all people ought to have much chance to live the life that they've been given.

Why can't we start there?

We put a man on the moon and certainly.

We can and homelessness.

We can make sure that education system what we can make sure that people have what they need.

We can make sure that medical care is available.

If we're brave enough.

Going to land.

We're going to spend the next.

Several days the next several years working for the people of Kentucky that path.

We have been a lot of different places and this is what I now.

Kentucky has everything it needs.

To lead its people.

Top of the list.

To move away from that middle.

I bought.

And do the things we know to do.

We have the compassion.

We have everything.

If California are in the other places had it, they would be trying to sell.

It was.

So this is our opportunity.

This is the question I'm gonna leave you with.

We got a lot of issues facing Too much too little people with no money.

$6.8 education.

We're not funding.

Teachers were not pay me communities that are not faith.

People that are living with snow is a blanket.

What about affordable housing?

What about reproductive health care?

What about gun violence in my community in West Mobile?

There is one thing we were getting some things done and I contend that we could get them done better if we were all together.

We have Kimberly do needs more homes.

>> I love the community doing all sorts of things supporting people.

>> And making sure we in gun violence.

Nation on trade due to open up Melanie.

A marketplace for entrepreneurs all they want.

It was a shock to be in business, but they didn't have what they need.

She gave them what they need.

She provided an environment for people that have goods and products.

To fail in common.

Do that.

>> We have the ones that could provide the environment.

Kentuckians.

If a break.

We're often told.

Should budget for me to not.

I want.

>> A good ring teacher.

This happen to come to school.

>> I want my bus driver just got my precious cargo on it to feel you.

I want my mom owns 84 moment.

Be able to go to the hospital where she's not feeling good.

I don't want my neighbor to say I have a choice between medicine or food.

Do we say we are not?

In all.

We live it up to half.

I'm watching my time because I want to KET down.

We've got a lot to do and we have some great leaders that I'm pleasure to work with.

General Neal Robert Stivers.

>> David Osborne, who gambles be quite a bit and I am convinced that we can find ways to serve.

Kentucky Inc.

Especially we spend the time to build on the things we agree on.

Think of this.

It impacts you.

What if every one of your employees came to work?

Happy ready to work because they KET where the medical care was coming from.

They KET that the children were going to be safe at school.

They KET that they were gonna have enough food.

They didn't have to worry about if they had.

>> To pay paying the rent or not.

What if they came to work?

Don't you think your business will take off?

I like it.

Don't you think it would translate into you be in the bill gates of the world or whatever your profession might be, because your people are the ones that make your business.

And when we give them what they need, they will.

Do you proud.

Think of it this way.

The 6th mean?

Can go in a basement.

After consulting with their wives.

And create this concept called America.

This experiment that has never been done before.

Hit that 2000 above create the Kentucky that haven't been seen before.

It's to help.

If we break even.

In the military.

We live by.

Duty.

I invite everyone here to join.

The people doing the work.

People that are moving Kentucky up the ladder and live.

We are the ones the people that are not yet born key point.

Completion families and more importantly, plus, this Commonwealth and the United States up 5th America.

>> I forgot to say and reading her bio that he is a preacher which you probably gathered that.

>> And the one to follow her as we were joking is the Senate minority floor Leader Gerald Neal.

Senator Gerald Neal 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 title given to the longest serving member.

Senator Neal was elected by his colleagues to serve as leader of the Kentucky Senate Democratic Caucus for the 25 26 term.

He has received many prestigious awards and is an inductee and the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2001, please help me in welcoming Senator Gerald Neal.

>> I noticed that the you didn't stand up when I came in.

So lay goes little deflated, but it no problem.

He's a gentleman.

The Kentucky chamber.

Commerce governor this year.

Speaker eyes were on leaders, Stephenson and all those in attendance here tonight.

Thank you.

Well, welcome me back this podium.

Now I know you didn't come here just to hear another politician give a speech.

As they say politics, the only profession where you can lay your head down at night, knowing you've made half of people angry and the other have to support it.

>> But tonight I promised aim higher than that.

I promised aim higher than that.

As we gather here tonight with friends lead isn't.

>> Maybe in a nemesis.

So too.

Let's talk about the work we have accomplished.

This past year has been a year of milestones.

You've heard the governor speak to it.

One of them, the passage of omnibus bill wasn't just a legislative victory.

It was a step toward giving mothers and families the care they deserve.

It established a team to review maternal health outcomes, ensuring the data leads us to better solutions.

And every number we track in sun life.

We're about to improved.

That is an example.

One among other initiatives.

That I calculated to uplift.

And I emphasize the word up live not to put down.

Not to put down.

This is what I see is our mission.

2 of live.

I know that when we left others up, we're confirming the best in us.

It is.

Well, we engage in suppressing the aspirations of others that we repeat the mistakes of the past and limit ability to improve the prospects.

>> We're all in facing the future.

>> There are many actions that members of the General Assembly have engaged in that reinforced my belief.

It when we work together.

For good, much can be achieved for all.

I want to tell you, I am encouraged.

>> Not only do I have hope.

I am encouraged, continue the work that we do in the General Assembly.

I applaud all every member of the General Assembly because I know other sincerity, the things that you don't see that we share when we communicate with each other.

Often made the observation.

Others are made that observation that what you see sometimes just what you define as division.

>> It was wobbling.

But the fact of the matter is we agree almost things that we do.

We do have some fundamental differences, but we work to try to make it right.

The balance of the strike isn't just about budgets.

It's about priorities.

It's about values as we prepare for the next legislative session.

There are many questions that must be answered.

How do we ensure every student has a teacher who inspire us to?

How do we make child care available for parents who are trying to build better lives.

How do we help Kentuckians who drab hours just to see a doctor?

We have a teacher shortage that is not just in crisis isn't call to action.

Competitive salaries and resources are luxuries their necessities.

Without them.

We risk losing the very people who help shape our children's futures.

Housing is another her.

As costs rise too many.

Kentucky U.S. find themselves without options.

Affordable housing isn't just about walls and roofs.

It's about stability.

It's about dignity.

It's about opportunity.

By supporting housing initiatives.

I mean, soundly supporting housing initiatives and reforming zoning law.

We can ensure everyone as a chance to call.

Businesses too, can help lead this charge incurred in here once.

And I'll say it again through workforce, housing projects and local partnerships.

I caution that this should not be arbiter should be intentional.

We must have a meaningful input from the communities that will be affected.

Despite these turtles back in.

And I should say, remain hopeful.

The mom of them on the bus bill and other reforms show that we can do what we can do when we come together.

You've heard that theme over and over here tonight.

It is true.

We all Collaboration is a bridge between challenges and solutions.

We've crossed that bridge before and we can cross sitting in.

I asked my colleagues regardless of party.

The focus on what unites us.

What unites us.

Look around this room.

There are people from every background every corner of Kentucky.

That diversity.

I'll say it again.

That diversity strengthens us and unites us as Kentucky INS.

In fact, is that diversity that is making the United States of America, the greatest country in the world that diverse.

It calls on us as lawmakers, in fact, common ground.

You've heard it before.

We'll say it again.

We must phantom common ground.

And I want to tell you, we have found a lot of common ground.

Some of my colleagues complained about the press not put in there.

The focus on that understand that concern.

But the reality is, is that we find common ground all the time.

As I say before, we agree on much of what we do, in fact, most of what we do such as workforce development, infrastructure and creating opportunities for everyone.

These are partisan goals.

Your Kentucky goes.

I'm reminded of the quiet seeing so many Kentuckians, the teacher to phase late to help a struggling student.

The parent works 2 jobs to give their child a better life.

The small business owner who keeps their doors open against all odds.

They inspire us to KET going to KET building.

As I recently departed, former President Jimmy Carter once We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.

Those principles, justice.

Equity.

Progress of the foundation of everything that we do.

while we push forward.

Even when the path his feet.

My dad and having carries with it a great responsibility.

Let me repeat that.

Evan Power carries with it.

A great responsibility, I believe as well as myself.

My colleagues understand that.

You must be used wisely, not just because you have it are for its own sake.

There's a great responsibility.

We recognize that.

Tonight.

Let us recommit to the work that he.

Let us on of the trust.

Kentuckians have placed in us by taking action that lifts everyone.

Together, we can build a commonwealth.

Progress is just the word.

What he promised the field.

Thank you.

God bless you and God bless the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Thank you, leader Neil.

>> Next, I'd like to welcome the speaker of the House, David Osborne, House speaker David Osborne has 3rd in the Kentucky House of Representatives since 2005 and a speaker since 2019, he represents the 59th House district in Oldham County.

Osborne is a recipient of multiple awards, including the Children's Alliance Champion for Children Award Prevent Child Abuse.

Kentucky's champions for children.

Mary Allen Award, the outstanding Service award from the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police and multiple MVP awards from the Kentucky Chamber.

Please welcome House Speaker David >> Well, thank you.

Run.

I.

Before again, I do want to echo the comments of our governor.

You'll hear me say that very often.

But let me take this opportunity on behalf of the House representatives to again extend our incredible appreciation to this snow plow drivers, the utility workers.

>> EMS police, the folks who braved the weather to KET the the grocery stores and gas stations and over other essential services opened.

Give them another round of 233 years ago.

A group of people met here in Lexington to convene the first regular session of the Kentucky General Assembly 2 days ago, we convene 159.

And the same principles that compelled those people.

233 years ago.

Stick with us today.

New Year's in to become the majority.

We passed legislation to take us to new heights in every nearly every metric.

We've got the individual income tax by a 3rd for workers, compensation and unemployment insurance, modernize business service taxes and eliminate unnecessary and burdensome regulations.

We have consistently delivered responsible budgets, focusing our state's needs not are once.

Place.

Record amounts of money in our Budget Reserve trust fund.

As a matter of fact, it's worth a little show and tell now members know that I hate props and we all go to my house when we're not on the House floor and and also believe that their power points are a crutch for a bad speaker.

But we're not on the House floor.

I can tell jokes anymore.

So I actually got some some graphics that I'm gonna show you.

And the reason emotional, too, because every time I show most people they are shocked at the facts.

Don't line up with what they're being told by so-called experts.

So what?

Maybe it's that I don't have time to do daily press conferences or a willing media to being accomplished.

what?

Let's take a look at the the modern history of our budget Reserve.

Copley shows that first lead.

KET in mind.

This is after we spent nearly 3 billion dollars.

And one-time expenditures, one-time House bill one last year.

Never before.

As Kentucky been is prepared for tomorrow as we are today.

We'll call it a rainy day fund anymore.

It exists to prepare us to take advantage of opportunities as well as prepare us for our challenges.

We've accomplished this over the vetoes of 2 governors, the disbelief media and the flat out consternation of folks who think that the only way to success is the government programs.

Earlier today, the House voted almost unanimously.

To approve a measure that will lower income tax again to 3 and a half percent.

>> I say almost unanimously.

Because 7 of our friends on the other side of voted against it as opposed to giving tax relief to every single Kentuckian that the only 7, 0, that's a that's a big jump from the lot.

Less than the ones that voted against it for the last couple years.

Jason Namus opined that perhaps they'd seen the light.

I would submit to you that they saw the same polling that made the governor before and after he was against.

I said was going cold Turkey.

I'm sorry.

Cao Show that slide.

Even before this tax cut we passed today since 2018, we have left for over 4 billion dollars in the pockets and paychecks of hardworking Kentuckians.

And we did just over the gloom and despair that some of some people pretending to be economists.

Here's the same people that look at this lad I got to tell you a look at that's led to celebrate.

Because I think are celebrating.

And the fact the matter is this money is a powerful incentive.

Money was never state money.

There were blown state government.

This money isn't a powerful incentive to work in the state of Kentucky and everyone knows and everyone in this room knows the challenges we face.

We're going to continue our work to make state government more effective and efficient.

Everyone in this room knows how important it is to evaluate the systems we have in place for too long.

Government programs have been held sacred.

When, in fact, many are outdated and were unable to fulfill the purpose.

We have a few things on our agenda return in February.

Education will obviously continue to be a priority.

Since becoming the majority.

We provide more funding in K through 12 education than any time in our state's history.

I don't believe me.

Here you go.

Thanks like out.

>> And KET in mind.

It's not something we made a KET in mind.

This is data from the Department of Education and it is adjusted for inflation.

Show this to every single education, education advocacy group that has come into my office.

And I've yet to have one single one.

>> To say it's not accurate.

You know, Saint.

lab statisticians, the a colony by a liar here not been telling you.

The people of Kentucky are not being told the truth.

These are the same people that have not provided one single substantive, creative, thoughtful, intentional policy change to improve education.

Because let's be clear.

Asking for more money is not big.

Asking for more money is not a bold.

Asking for more money is just an ask.

And it's not working.

We crafted policies improve a bit from proving teaching of reading and math right resources to attract and retain teachers and work to support local boards.

And as they set policies, our support increased even a school in the schools have experienced unprecedented enrollment.

Last count, please.

You can believe it has a gun believe the propaganda party.

They had 100 years to fix our problems.

Despite record funding and count was policies aimed at improving education.

More than half of our students do not read at grade level.

And barely a 3rd are proficient at math.

If you need evidence that look at one last final slide cow.

That's the the math.

This can't be our future workforce.

Over the past several years, we prioritize initiatives to address our workforce shortages and participation.

We know there's more to do.

Those of you here tonight as well as 1000 employers in every community of all sizes and in every area of Kentucky, identify workforce challenges as their top priority.

We hear you the path to get to sustainable growth begins with investing in our people.

We will look for ways also address our housing shortage because to borrow a phrase homes or jobs go at night.

I want to thank you all for your leadership.

Your resilience and your belief and the potential of our Commonwealth.

As we continue to hear.

That was enough credit to go around.

We've heard it several times.

We're elected officials for God's sake.

Everybody knows we love to cut ribbons and hand out big shovel dirt and puffer chest.

Now like we actually had something to do with what you only building.

But the group that never gets the credit they deserve are the men and women who take risk.

To invest money and leverage everything to build and grow.

Businesses in Kentucky.

The biggest hope.

And I pledge to you.

Is that the aim of this majority?

Is to get the h*** out of your way.

>> Let's continue to work together to build a stronger Kentucky for all Kentucky INS.

>> Kentucky's that stays always being a teacher.

>> I thought it was Fancy Farm life there for a moment.

What we have our final speaker for the evening can match that energy.

>> The president has been it's Robert Stivers Senate President Robert Stivers was elected to the Senate in 1997 and represents the 25th district.

>> He served as Senate majority floor leader from 2008 until he was elected to Senate president in 2012 and 2015 president Stivers was honored by governing magazine as a public official of the year and 2016.

He was chair of the Southern Legislative Conference and in 2018, the chair of the Council of State governments.

He currently serves on the board of the Senate president's form.

Please join me in welcoming my favorite president and yours.

Senate President Robert Stivers.

>> Here's must beach and it just went out the door after those first 4.

I want to try to be the most appreciative person is come on stage and stay within the time limit.

>> That got the biggest applause of the night.

>> First of all, I want to thank a lot of people.

This is my 29th year.

So actually, when the governor was talking about years, I think he was in diapers.

When I started.

But is also my 13 years as Senate president.

And I want to thank the people of my district.

For giving me the honor to represent him.

And to my colleagues in the Senate for reelect me to this position.

I do want to say a few things done.

You know, most people see the pictures of May that the press put out always have a frown.

You know, I've always got my mouth open, but it's never a flattering picture.

If you see me here to not not made reference to this before.

When I started in 2013.

I look a lot different.

I hope you focus on my view of it.

This is what I look like.

But after 12 years.

With Damon Thayer, you get what you see today.

>> Now, one of the reasons I stayed around and I want to introduce my leadership colleagues.

Max was who is now the new Damon Thayer.

Robbie males who is our caucus chair.

>> We have with us.

They.

>> Who are to David Givens is somewhere and it's hard to see everybody that is here.

But if my members of leadership would please stand up and with this one.

>> My question our caucus with if they would please stand up and let me thank for all the time and effort that they put Ian.

Is not here to not.

He went to watch Notre Dame gay.

By far more interesting than what we're seeing here.

But I want to tell you what, Max promised me.

He promised me that just after a year of dealing with him, I would look more like this than I do today.

And speaking of the governor.

He told me if I don't change like this.

He would make sure that for PTSD for having dealt with in a minimal loss of hair, he would get me a prescription for medical marijuana.

So let me discuss a few things about what we're going to do.

Now was talking with KET and Ashley earlier, the governor made a reference to something about how we're getting good ratings from the ratings agency.

Well, I think the reason part of that is because the chamber took the lead.

And many of the members of the chamber will remember.

How they came out with the list of the leaky bucket.

And one of the biggest priorities.

Was the fact we had to work on our failing pension system.

>> We've done that.

>> We've become responsible listening to these rating agencies and you saw what the speaker did.

He listed the fact that we now have a strong budget Reserve trust fund that we do not have structural imbalances.

That we are doing the necessary things for job growth and development.

We're looking at how we reduce.

>> And make sure we find appropriate health care without blowing up our Medicaid budget.

>> Along with the fact that we are doing responsible now.

These are the ratings agencies.

These are not Democrats or Republicans.

The rating agency saying how we are doing responsible tax modernization.

So the speaker said today they passed.

The reduction from 4% to 3 and a half percent.

We received it on the floor, got its first reading tomorrow.

It will get a second grade.

And the first day that we return to the General Assembly in February.

I will guarantee you the U.S. and in many years of 29 that I have served, I don't guarantee much.

We will pass that tax reduction from board 3 and a half percent.

A couple things we're not going to let happen about taking affirmative action.

We are not going to let tax payer dollars be used for sex change operation for people who have committed crimes and are currently incarcerated.

And we are not going to change or allow the prophet to be changed on per meeting where it will become 17 times more expensive.

To build construct ore mine in this state for which this administration currently has to regulations out to do about.

We will stop both of those in this session.

The other thing that we will do, we will continue to have policies as the speaker not discuss on a regular basis that will look at bad ring.

Our educational outcomes that will look at housing.

And this is something you didn't see reported.

We worked.

With Mayor Goldberg to put 20 million dollars in to see 3 campus to look at community care and housing for those individuals who have substance use disorders or mental health disorders.

>> And need housing and the treatment around it.

We worked with Luther date and the local bankers here in Lexington to put 10 million dollars in the housing and what was called the train to project.

>> We will continue to do the U.S.. We will continue to do the better outcomes.

We will look at artificial intelligence and we will look at energy.

>> As well as developing our workforce.

But in that the backbone of our new economy is AI and data.

And we have to be so cognizant of what it does with energy.

>> Because there are estimates that with the S and I just came back from a national forum.

That this is where we will have our future.

Bill is in the technology.

And computer age.

We have moved into.

So you will see us com with substantive legislation on all these topics.

And why do we want to do that?

You know, the governor stood here tonight and talked about all the things he cut the ribbon for.

All the things that have been an out.

We want him to do more of that.

We want him to be successful and, you know, a lot.

He talked about his dad never got to do any of these things.

Do you know why?

Because he didn't have the legislature controlled by the people.

He has a legislature controlled by now.

It is not for this administration, but for the legislation that we have put up since 2013, 14, 16 and this current year, we have made this our old Kentucky home, proud of it.

The not God bless and be safe.

Travel.

>> And on that note, we'll bid you adieu.

Thank you all for joining us tonight.

We hope to see you at the annual meeting of the chamber in Louisville later this year.

We like to thank our speakers, of course, and also fatality investments being Suntory Brown-Forman and all of the sponsors for making this event possible.

Have a safe trip home.