Thread by @GovernorBullock

One last time, Montana. Follow along with my fourth and final State of the State here, or watch live at this link: montanapbs.org/live/

Even though they don't think my dad jokes are as cool as they did 6 years ago, Caroline, Alex, and Cam remind me every day why I do what I do.

They shape my perspective in office: I want my kids, and all Montana kids, to have every opportunity I had growing up here and more.

The first time I stood at this podium in 2013, our unemployment rate was 5.6%.

Now, at 3.7% it is the lowest it's been in a decade. More people are working than ever before in our state’s history.

Since January 2013 we've added almost 34,000 private sector jobs - and real wages are on the rise. Today, the average Montana worker earns 108 dollars more each and every week than they did six years ago. That’s real money.

The most important investments we make are the ones that will impact Montana long after those of us in this chamber have completed our time in office. Foremost among them is ensuring that our kids, students and workers have a world-class education.

I wouldn't be standing here tonight if not for my years at Helena High School and our state's public school system.

In 2017, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle came together to establish the STARS preschool pilot. And in its first year, 93% of participating students walked out the door ready for kindergarten.

We know preschool works. So I am asking for a $30 million investment over two years.

Let’s provide kids and families across our state access to high-quality, voluntary, affordable preschool options - our future leaders deserve no less.

In 2013, our uninsured rate was at a staggering 20%.

Today, it's the lowest it's ever been in our state's history at under 8%.

That's because in 2015 we came together and passed one of the most innovative Medicaid expansion programs in the nation.

Since then, 95,000 of our friends, family, and neighbors have recieved healthcare coverage.

And if I told you I had a business coming to Montana that would create over 5,000 jobs and infuse over 350 million dollars of new personal income into our state, you would all tell me that sounds pretty darn good. That's what Medicaid expansion has done and will continue to do.

It is critical that we remove the sunset on Medicaid expansion. That we protect healthcare for our family, friends and neighbors. That our rural hospitals stay open and our economy stays strong.

Other states have chosen to incur reasonable borrowing rather than passing on crumbling infrastructure to their kids. We are out of step with the rest of the country.

Break the logjam. This session, let's deliver infrastructure for now and for future generations.

The distance between Montana and Washington DC is measured in more than the 2,150 miles between us. Politics is more than a zero-sum game here - we treat each other with respect, even when we disagree.

After the disastrous 2010 Citizen's United decision, dark money and outside spending in our state was rampant.

But when we passed the DISCLOSE Act in 2015, those dark money groups folded up their tent and left our state.

For those that remain, dark money groups can no longer hide behind their tax status in Montana. During the last ninety days of our state elections, they now have to report every single dollar they spend.

Montanans must be assured that money isn't coming from foreign countries -- we must expressly outlaw foreign spending in our state elections.

As Montanans and Americans, folks in our state expect that their government will work for them, not anybody else.

As always, I’m eager to work with Democrats and Republicans to ensure we pass a budget that is balanced and fiscally responsible. But after learning the lesson's of 2017's special session, I will insist on a $300 million reserve for a rainy day.

#MTLeg: Don’t send me a budget where cuts aren’t realized until after you adjourn, and don’t send me a budget where I’ll have to make cuts due to a failure to leave a sufficient ending fund balance. Because, if you do, I will send it back.

Six years ago, I walked into this job hopeful and determined. And tonight, I am no less optimistic than I was the first time I stood before you.

I’m optimistic that we can demonstrate while we may have our differences at times, Republicans and Democrats can still work together in Montana to get things done... without shutting down our government.

I’m optimistic because Montana - this place, its people, its purpose - built for me a world where the improbable was achievable. That’s a story each of us understands, because it’s our story.

As we come together this year, the state of our state is strong. We as Montanans are strong. And by working together, by following the course we’ve set, we’ll ensure that the Montana our kids and grandkids inherit is stronger than ever before.