Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead greets members of the Wyoming Legislature as he makes his way through the House of Representatives before giving his eighth and final State of the State speech to kick off the 64th Wyoming Legislature's budget session on Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, at the Jonah Business Center. (COURTESY PHOTO / Blaine McCartney, Wyoming Tribune Eagle)

Gov. Mead gave his eighth and final State of the State address on Monday, Feb. 12, at the start of the legislative budget session in Cheyenne.

“Our work this past seven years has built a solid legacy and a bridge for the future,” Mead said.

Mead thanked the legislature for their hard work and willingness, especially when faced with this year’s tough decisions and a budget deficit.

“Thank you for working with me in a cooperative spirit for the betterment of our state,” Mead said. “Since territorial days, the people of Wyoming have counted on government to move our state forward — not for personal gain, but out of a sense of duty and love for the state and its people.”

Mead also thanked Wyoming’s 47,000 military veterans, but said the state can do more to help these veterans, however.

“Wyoming needs a skilled nursing center for our vets,” Mead said. “We are the only state that does not have this service, and it’s time we delivered.”

Mead said his administration has produced several long-term policies that will benefit Wyoming: such as an energy strategy, water strategy, focus on outdoor recreation, and the ENDOW initiative.

Mead spoke of his efforts to address and reduce the rate of suicide in the Cowboy State.

“We have taken on tough issues, like bullying, homelessness, and suicide prevention,” Mead said.

“The suicide rate in Wyoming has been very high for decades,” Mead continued. “There are many possible reasons for this — rural setting, isolation, insufficient resources, and even high altitude.”

Mead discussed the annual suicide symposium he helped institute in 2016.

“This event brings suicide to the forefront of public attention,” Mead said. “We have to recognize the seriousness of the issue and put the right resources to work.”

The governor said the state must also stay abreast of the opioid crisis.

“The good news in Wyoming is that we’re doing better than most states,” Mead said. “Overdose deaths are decreasing in Wyoming, but prescription painkillers are the leading form of drug abuse among young people.”

Mead said the state should continue to educate teenagers about prescription drug abuse and should continue the good work to address these issues with support from the state legislature.

Mead praised the state’s efforts to \improve, including the new High Bay Research Facility at University of Wyoming and the integrated test center in Gillette that Mead said will “allow Wyoming to be the continued leader not only in coal production but new coal technology.”

Mead addressed an issue that the legislature will face this session: funding for Wyoming’s public schools.

“It’s up to all of us to address these challenges,” Mead said. “We need to recognize where we are doing well and where we are not.”

“Our state has long recognized what education means,” Mead continued. “While we look to find savings, we should do nothing that lessens Wyoming’s age-old value on education.”

Mead said 2017 was a great year for Wyoming — with the solar eclipse, increased emphasis on outdoor activities, and the ENDOW initiative taking off. The governor said tourism from the solar eclipse brought a boost of $63.5 million to the state’s economy.

“But 2017 was another year for budget reductions,” Mead said. “Some cuts have gone too far. We have an opportunity to right-size the budget now.”

Mead said the cuts have resulted in some agencies that are unable to fund their intended programs. He recommended that the legislators look for a “golden mean” when finalizing the budget, one that is sufficient but not excessive.

“Investment in Wyoming is a great investment,” Mead said. “We must adjust for times of constrained revenue. We must focus on maintaining what we built instead of building at the same rate.”

Mead spent a lot of time addressing the ENDOW 20-year economic plan that he commissioned, which aims to diversify Wyoming’s economy.

“Out of adversity — in our case the recent energy downturn — comes opportunity, and our opportunity is ENDOW,” Mead said. “We haven’t fully recovered from the last energy bust cycle, and we cannot sit around and wait for the next one.”

Mead said he has heard enthusiasm across the state for ENDOW, particularly from young people, but he has also heard skepticism about the initiative to diversify Wyoming’s economy.

“We must listen to both camps,” Mead said. “But I reject the notion that our future will only be determined by commodity prices.”

“Beyond money matters, the people of Wyoming have remained steadfast,” Mead said. “The citizens of Wyoming kept us strong, as well as the leaders of towns and counties, teachers, workers in factories and the energy sector, farmers all did. The state of our state is strong.Our future will be written by you, me, and the people of Wyoming. Wyoming has a history of people who did not move timidly, but asking first and always what is best for Wyoming.”

Mead closed by thanking his staff, his family and the legislature.

“Let us join together during this session to embrace opportunities, fund ENDOW recommendations, and continue to build on the vision and action of past and present leaders,” Mead said.