WE INTERRUPT THIS PROGRAM TO BRING YOU GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT, STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, LIVE FROM THE OKLAHOMA STATE CAPITOL.

100%.

100%.

MEMBERS AND GUESTS, PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS.

PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS.

MEMBERS AND GUESTS, PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS.

MEMBERS AND GUESTS, WELCOME TO THE FIRST JOINT SESSION OF THE SECOND REGULAR SESSION OF THE 60TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE.

I WANT TO TAKE A SECOND HERE TO INTRODUCE THIS PERSON WHO'S GOING TO PRESIDE FOR THE FINAL TIME OVER THE OPENING OF A JOINT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

MEMBERS.

GUESTS.

FRIENDS.

LET'S GIVE A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, MATT PINNELL.

THANK YOU FOR THAT.

WELCOME, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND HONORED GUESTS.

POINT OF PRIVILEGE.

HERE.

I HAVE A FEW GUESTS OF MY OWN IN THE GALLERY.

MY TWO BOYS, GRAHAM AND THOMAS PARNELL IN THE GALLERY.

PLEASE WELCOME THEM TO THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

THEY ARE ESCORTING THIS AFTERNOON.

OUR FAVORITE GUEST IN THE PINNELL HOMESTEAD, AN ENTREPRENEUR AND INVENTOR.

SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN MANAGING AND RUNNING HER OWN BUSINESS FOR THE LAST 12 YEARS.

THERE'S NOTHING IN MY LIFE THAT I HAVE MORE THAT I'M MORE PROUD OF THAN I. WHEN I GET TO INTRODUCE AND SAY THAT I AM MARRIED TO THE LOVELY LISA PARNELL, WOULD YOU PLEASE WELCOME LISA PARNELL TO THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE?

IT'S MY DISTINCT PRIVILEGE TO CALL THE FIRST JOINT SESSION OF THE SECOND REGULAR SESSION OF THE 60TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE TO ORDER.

SENATOR DANIELS, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR A MOTION.

THANK YOU, MR.

PRESIDENT.

I MOVE THAT THE ATTENDANCE ROLL OF THE SENATE BE CONSIDERED THE ROLL CALL OF THE SENATE IN JOINT SESSION.

YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

ALL OPPOSED?

NAY.

THE AYES HAVE IT.

THE MOTION IS ADOPTED.

REPRESENTATIVE JOSH WEST, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR A MOTION.

THANK YOU, MR.

PRESIDENT, FOR YOUR FINAL FIRST JOINT SESSION.

MR.

PRESIDENT, I MOVE THAT THE ATTENDANCE ROLL CALL OF THE HOUSE BE CONSIDERED THE ROLL CALL OF THE HOUSE IN JOINT SESSION.

YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

ALL OPPOSED?

NAY.

THE AYES HAVE IT.

MOTION IS ADOPTED.

I HEREBY DECLARE A QUORUM OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE PRESENT IN A JOINT SESSION OF THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE.

DULY ASSEMBLED, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, SERVING AS OUR CHAPLAIN TODAY FOR JOINT SESSION IS HOUSE CHAPLAIN PASTOR RONNIE WILSON.

WITH THE MEMBERS AND THE GUESTS IN THE GALLERY.

PLEASE RISE AS YOU ARE ABLE FOR THE INVOCATION.

FOLLOWING THE INVOCATION, PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE POSTING OF THE COLORS BY THE CHOCTAW HIGH SCHOOL, AIR FORCE JUNIOR ROTC PASTOR WILSON.

THANK YOU, MR.

PRESIDENT.

DEUTERONOMY 31 EIGHT.

THE LORD HIMSELF GOES BEFORE YOU AND WILL BE WITH YOU.

HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU.

DO NOT BE AFRAID.

DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED.

I INVITE ALL OF OKLAHOMA TO PRAY.

LORD, AS WE CONSIDER THE STATE OF OUR STATE AND RECOGNIZE THE MANY BLESSINGS AND OPPORTUNITIES BEFORE US, GIVE US THE CONFIDENCE REQUIRED TO FAITHFULLY FOLLOW YOU WHEREVER YOU MAY LEAD.

OUR DESIRE IS TO SERVE OUR NEIGHBORS WITH WISDOM AND INTEGRITY.

ENABLE US IN YOUR STRENGTH TO WALK WITHOUT FEAR AND GIVE US ENCOURAGEMENT IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU NOT ONLY GO BEFORE US, BUT YOU ALSO GO WITH US.

YOU HAVE PROVEN YOUR FAITHFULNESS TIME AND AGAIN AND YOUR PROMISE TO NEVER LEAVE OR FORSAKE US PROVIDES THE ENCOURAGEMENT THAT WE NEED TO WALK WITH BOLDNESS INTO THE CHALLENGES AND THE BLESSINGS THAT YOU HAVE PREPARED.

THANK YOU FOR THE HONOR OF SERVING THIS GREAT STATE AND OUR NEIGHBORS.

AND THANK YOU FOR ALL WHO SERVE EACH MEMBER, OUR GOVERNOR.

WE PRAY YOUR BLESSING ON EACH ONE AND THEIR PRECIOUS FAMILIES, ALL OF WHOM YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR JUST SUCH A TIME AS THIS.

GIVE THEM EARS TO HEAR YOUR WORD.

A HUMBLE HEART TO RECEIVE AND COURAGE FOR ACTING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND THROUGH THEM.

BLESS THE GREAT STATE OF OKLAHOMA, OUR HOME IN JESUS NAME.

AMEN.

ATTENTION, HARRY, PLEASE.

LORD ARCH.

YES.

TO THE LEFT ARCH.

READ IT FIRST.

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.

HARRY.

COLORS.

TO THE RIGHT.

ARCH.

PORT ARM.

PLEASE, PLEASE STAY STANDING AS WE RECOGNIZE THE OFFICERS OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND STATEWIDE OFFICIALS.

AND ONE MORE TIME AND ONE MORE.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S MY DISTINCT PLEASURE.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT IS MY DISTINCT PLEASURE TO ANNOUNCE THE ARRIVAL OF REPRESENTATIVES.

EACH OF OUR STATEWIDE COURTS.

PLEASE STAND AS YOU ARE ABLE.

AS THE HOUSE AND SENATE SERGEANTS OF ARMS, ESCORT THE JUDGES OF THE COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS LED BY PRESIDING JUDGE STACY HIXSON.

THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS LED BY PRESIDING JUDGE GARY LUMPKIN, AND JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT LED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE DUSTIN ROWE, INTO THE CHAMBERS.

SENATOR DANIELS, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR A MOTION.

THANK YOU, MISTER PRESIDENT.

I MOVE THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE APPOINT MEMBERS FROM THE SENATE AND HOUSE, RESPECTIVELY, AS A JOINT COMMITTEE TO NOTIFY THE GOVERNOR THAT THE SECOND REGULAR SESSION OF THE 60TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE IS ASSEMBLED IN JOINT SESSION AND READY TO RECEIVE HIM AND HEAR HIS MESSAGE.

YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

ALL OPPOSED?

SAY NAY.

THE AYES HAVE IT.

THE MOTION IS ADOPTED.

AS PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, I AM APPOINTING THE FOLLOWING SENATORS TO SERVE ON THE GOVERNOR'S ESCORT COMMITTEE.

SENATOR HOWARD, SENATOR WEAVER, SENATOR PUGH, SENATOR HAMILTON.

SPEAKER HILBERT APPOINTS THE FOLLOWING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HOUSE.

REPRESENTATIVE JOHN PIFER, REPRESENTATIVE CHAD CALDWELL.

REPRESENTATIVE MARK LEPAK, REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS KENNEDY, AND REPRESENTATIVE KEN LUTTRELL.

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES SENATE SERGEANT AT ARMS WESLEY BROWN FOR AN ANNOUNCEMENT.

MR.

PRESIDENT, THE JOINT COMMITTEE FROM THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, THE HONORABLE KEVIN STITT.

GOVERNOR.

MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, TRIBAL LEADERS, MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY, AND PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA.

IT IS MY DISTINCT HONOR TO RECOGNIZE MY FRIEND, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, OUR GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU.

IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH, MAN.

WELCOME, EVERYBODY.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MATT PINNELL, IT HAS BEEN A GREAT HONOR TO SERVE ALONGSIDE YOU FOR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.

YOU HAVE DONE AN AMAZING JOB.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND SPEAKER KYLE HILBERT AND PRESIDENT PRO TEM LONNIE PAXTON, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN THIS BUILDING.

IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO SERVE WITH YOU GUYS.

AND MEMBERS OF THE 60TH LEGISLATURE AND ALL THE STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SERVING WITH YOU AND WORKING WITH YOU THIS SESSION.

MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE GREAT STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

I REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

TO MY CABINET MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR GREAT STATE.

AND I WANT TO EXTEND A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED WITH ME FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

SECRETARY BLAYNE ARTHUR AND SECRETARY TIM GATZ.

YOUR YOUR DEDICATION TO THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA AND THE PEOPLE WE SERVE WILL CONTINUE TO PAY DIVIDENDS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

AND TO MY BOOMERANG TEAM, DAVID OSTROW, DONNELL HARDER AND JOHN BUD, WE STARTED TOGETHER IN 2019.

THANK YOU FOR RETURNING TO STATE SERVICE TO HELP ME TO COMPLETE OKLAHOMA'S TURNAROUND.

AND HOW ABOUT THOSE WORLD CHAMPION OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER?

A TEAM THAT EMBODIES THE TRUE SPIRIT OF OKLAHOMA?

AND I'M EXCITED TO HAVE WILL, SERENA AND DAN MAHONEY FROM THE THUNDER EXECUTIVE TEAM HERE TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING A CHAMPIONSHIP HOME TO.

AND TO MY MOM AND DAD.

THANK YOU.

FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT HAVE BEEN INVALUABLE THROUGHOUT MY LIFE.

I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR YOU.

TO MY BROTHERS, I'VE GOT KENT AND KEITH IN THE AUDIENCE.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE MEANT TO ME IN MY LIFE.

I APPRECIATE YOU ALL BEING HERE TO MY CHILDREN.

I'VE GOT DREW AND REMINGTON AND HOUSTON AND PIPER HERE.

BEING YOUR DAD IS THE GREATEST JOB IN THE WORLD.

THANK YOU FOR THE SACRIFICES THAT YOU'VE MADE SO THAT I COULD SERVE OUR STATE.

I DID SO, SO YOU AND YOUR FELLOW OKLAHOMANS COULD CHASE YOUR AMERICAN DREAM.

AND TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND ELEGANT FIRST LADY IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

YOU'VE KEPT OUR FAMILY STRONG.

YOU'VE BEEN A CONSTANT SOURCE OF WISDOM AND PRAYER, AND YOU'VE BEEN MY STEADFAST PARTNER THROUGHOUT OUR MARRIAGE.

THANK YOU, AND I LOVE YOU.

I THANK GOD FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY TO DELIVER MY EIGHTH STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

AS KING SOLOMON PRAYED FOR WISDOM.

THAT'S BEEN MY PRAYER AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE FOR THIS LAST SESSION.

AND FOR THOSE WHO COME AFTER ME.

AND TO MY FELLOW OKLAHOMANS, IT'S BEEN THE HONOR OF MY LIFETIME TO SERVE AS YOUR GOVERNOR.

IT'S AMAZING TO SEE HOW HOW MUCH WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED TOGETHER OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.

THE STATE OF OUR STATE IS THE STRONGEST IT'S EVER BEEN.

AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE'RE NOT DONE YET.

WHEN I FIRST ADDRESSED THIS CHAMBER IN 2019, BEFORE I HAD ANY IDEA WHAT CHALLENGE AWAITED US, I PROMISED A TURNAROUND FOR OUR STATE.

I CAST A CLEAR VISION FOR OKLAHOMA TO BE A TOP TEN STATE.

BUT TO UNDERSTAND WHERE OKLAHOMA'S GOING, IT HELPS TO REMEMBER HOW AMERICA EVEN CAME TO BE.

AND IN OUR 250TH YEAR AS A NATION, WE REFLECT ON THAT STORY.

OUR STORY IS ONE BUILT ON GRITTY AMBITION.

IT'S A STORY WHERE NOTHING WAS GIVEN, BUT EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

WHERE YOUR FUTURE COULD BE DETERMINED, NOT BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF YOUR BIRTH, INSTEAD BY WHAT YOU ARE WILLING TO WORK HARD TO BUILD THAT SPIRIT.

THE BELIEF THAT OPPORTUNITY IS EARNED, NOT INHERITED, AND THAT YOU CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING THAT YOU SET YOUR MIND TO, IS THE HEARTBEAT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

OKLAHOMA IS NOT JUST PART OF THIS AMERICAN DREAM.

WE ARE ITS PUREST EXPRESSION.

AND THIS SPIRIT IS WHAT HAS ALWAYS DEFINED OKLAHOMA.

OKLAHOMA IS WHERE BOLD DREAMS ARE POSSIBLE, AND I BELIEVE THESE LAST SEVEN YEARS HAVE BEEN THE GREATEST IN STATE HISTORY.

WE'VE GONE FROM BUDGET DEFICITS TO HISTORIC SAVINGS.

WE'VE INCREASED PUBLIC EDUCATION FUNDING MORE IN MY TERM AS GOVERNOR THAN THEY DID FOR 25 YEARS COMBINED.

LOOK AT THAT UNITY.

WE GOT THE PRESIDENT OF OU AND OSU HOLDING HANDS BACK THERE.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE'VE CUT TAXES BY $1.6 BILLION.

WE DIVERSIFIED OUR ECONOMY, MAINTAINING ONE OF THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATES IN THE NATION.

WE'VE SEEN MEDIAN INCOME INCREASE BY NEARLY $11,000.

AND WHILE OTHER STATES WERE LOCKING DOWN DURING COVID, FORCING VACCINE MANDATES OR LETTING BOYS PLAY IN GIRLS SPORTS, WE PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES.

WE PROTECTED RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS.

WE GAVE OKLAHOMANS A TRUE SECOND CHANCE BY SHRINKING OUR PRISON POPULATION BY 25% WHILE MAINTAINING RECORD LOW RECIDIVISM.

WE'VE SHOWN THE NATION WHY OKLAHOMA IS THE BEST PLACE TO PURSUE THE AMERICAN DREAM.

NOW, AS WE ENTER THIS SESSION, LET'S KEEP THIS MOMENTUM GOING BY UNITING AROUND THREE PRINCIPLES REDUCE REGULATION, PROTECT THE VULNERABLE, AND SECURE OUR STATE'S FUTURE.

IN 2019, WITH NO MONEY IN RESERVES, I INSISTED THAT WE LIMIT OUR SPENDING AND WE BUILD UP OUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

I SLAMMED THE BRAKES ON SPENDING EVERY DIME WE WERE AUTHORIZED, AND THAT APPROACH PROTECTED OKLAHOMA SO WE COULD MAKE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS WITHOUT GROWING HEADCOUNT.

I'M SO EXCITED THAT I'M GOING TO END MY TERM WITH FEWER STATE EMPLOYEES THAN WHEN WE STARTED IN 2019.

TRUE SUSTAINABLE BUDGETING DEMANDS DISCIPLINE.

LET'S WORK TOGETHER THIS YEAR TO ENSURE WE DON'T GO BACK TO THE FINANCIAL MESS WE INHERITED IN 2019.

RECENT FEDERAL SHUTDOWNS AND A $38 TRILLION FEDERAL DEBT.

IT SHOWS US THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ISN'T A RELIABLE PARTNER.

IT'S ESSENTIAL THAT WE MAINTAIN A CONSERVATIVE FINANCIAL POSITION.

LET'S BE CAUTIOUS WITH UNFUNDED MANDATES, WITH NEW AGENCIES, NEW PROGRAMS, THERE'S GOING TO BE 6200 BILLS CONSIDERED THIS SESSION, 6200.

EVERY BILL WILL COME WITH A TRADE OFF.

AND THOSE OFTEN COME IN THE FORM OF SPENDING MORE MONEY.

OVER THE YEARS, I VETOED MULTIPLE SPENDING BILLS THAT HAVE ADDED TO OUR REOCCURRING EXPENSES.

YET MANY OF THOSE VETOES WERE OVERRIDDEN.

TALLYING IT ALL UP, VETO OVERRIDES OF SPENDING BILLS HAVE COST THE TAXPAYERS NEARLY $800 MILLION IN MY TIME AS GOVERNOR.

THAT'S ENOUGH TO CUT ANOTHER POINT OFF OF THE INCOME TAX.

WE HAVE TO STAND UP FOR THE TAXPAYERS AND ADVOCATE FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR STATE.

A GOVERNMENT PROGRAM RARELY FIXES A SOCIETAL PROBLEM, BUT IT SURE MAKES SOME LOBBYISTS RICH.

LIKE RONALD REAGAN SAID, YOU EVENTUALLY RUN OUT OF OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY.

LAST YEAR WITH YOUR PARTNERSHIP, WE DELIVERED ONE OF THE GREATEST BUDGET REFORM WINS IN HISTORY THE PATH TO ZERO INCOME TAX, EFFECTIVELY CAPPING IN STATUTE SPENDING TO PROTECT THE TAXPAYERS.

TO PRESERVE THIS PROGRESS, I'M CALLING FOR A STATE QUESTION ON THE BALLOT.

LET'S CODIFY A 3% ANNUAL CAP ON REOCCURRING SPENDING GROWTH IN OUR CONSTITUTION, AND LET'S LOCK IN FUTURE CUTS WITH IRONCLAD RULES.

THIS KEEPS THE GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT IN CHECK, AND IT PROTECTS THE OKLAHOMA TAXPAYER.

AND WHERE I HAVE THE AUTHORITY, I'LL REIN IN WELFARE SPENDING.

GOVERNMENT DEPENDENCY IS A TRAP.

IT ROBS SELF-RELIANCE AND IT BALLOONS BUDGETS.

I ALWAYS SAY GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS SHOULD BE A TRAMPOLINE, NOT A HAMMOCK.

BUT TOO OFTEN THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

MEDICAID IS EXHIBIT A, IT'S DRIVING MASSIVE SPENDING GROWTH WHILE ENABLING WASTE.

IN TEN YEARS, MEDICAID IS PROJECTED TO EAT UP 37% OF OUR ANNUAL BUDGET, $6 BILLION.

WE HAVE TO MAKE A CHANGE.

MY RECENT EXECUTIVE ORDER RAMPS UP WORK REQUIREMENTS ON VETTING FOR MEDICAID, SNAP, AND OTHER FEDERAL WELFARE BENEFITS.

BUT I NEED YOUR HELP.

I'M CALLING ON THE LEGISLATURE TO SEND A QUESTION TO VOTERS THAT WOULD ALLOW ADJUSTMENTS TO MEDICAID EXPANSION SO THAT WE PROTECT THE PROGRAM FOR THOSE WHO REALLY NEED IT, NOT THOSE WHO SHOULD BE WORKING.

WHEN I RAN FOR OFFICE, I PROMISED OKLAHOMANS A $2 BILLION SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

NO ONE BELIEVED WE COULD DO IT.

THE NEWSPAPERS RAN HEADLINES CHALLENGING THE IDEA.

TODAY, WITH YOUR PARTNERSHIP, WE HAVE SHATTERED RECORDS HOLDING THE LARGEST CASH RESERVES IN STATE HISTORY, OVER $5.5 BILLION AT ITS PEAK.

TODAY, I CALL ON THE LEGISLATURE TO CREATE THE TAXPAYER ENDOWMENT FUND, SEEDING IT WITH $750 MILLION OF EXISTING SAVINGS.

LET'S IMAGINE WHAT'S POSSIBLE $750 MILLION INVESTED TODAY CAN TURN INTO $3.2 BILLION IN JUST 20 YEARS, GENERATING SUSTAINABLE REVENUE EVERY YEAR.

PROVEN SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUNDS IN RED STATES LIKE WYOMING AND ALASKA AND TEXAS ARE ALREADY DOING THIS SUCCESSFULLY.

LET'S LOCK IN THESE GAINS AND LET THEM GROW FOR THE FUTURE.

LAST WEEK, 1000 OKLAHOMANS WERE BORN.

ONE OF THEM IS VERY SPECIAL TO ME.

MY FIRST GRANDSON.

THANK YOU.

MY WIFE SAID, YOU BECOME A GRANDDAD AND THEN YOU SLIP AND FALL AND HURT YOUR HAND.

THESE NEW OKLAHOMANS ARE THE REASON WE'RE ALL HERE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP IS CHAMPIONING A PATHWAY TO SECURE THE AMERICAN DREAM FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

NOW, THROUGH THE TRUMP ACCOUNTS, WHEN A CHILD TURNS 18, THEY HAVE A LAUNCH PAD TO BUY A HOME, TO START A BUSINESS OR GO TO COLLEGE.

AND NOW, THANKS TO THE INCREDIBLE PRIVATE SECTOR LEADERSHIP, MOMENTUM IS BUILDING NATIONWIDE.

MICHAEL DELL, THE FOUNDER OF DELL TECHNOLOGIES, WHO'S AN AMERICAN DREAM STORY HIMSELF.

HE STEPPED UP WITH A $6.25 BILLION INVESTMENT IN THESE ACCOUNTS.

OKLAHOMA IS THE EPICENTER OF THE AMERICAN DREAM, AND WE CAN AND SHOULD INVEST IN THESE ACCOUNTS FOR EVERY OKLAHOMA KID BORN THIS YEAR.

IF WE RE-APPROPRIATE $12 MILLION OF EXISTING FUNDS, WE CAN ADD $250 TO EVERY OKLAHOMA KID'S ACCOUNT THIS YEAR.

BUT LET'S NOT STOP THERE.

I INVITE OUR GREAT OKLAHOMA BUSINESSES TO BE A PART OF THIS MOVEMENT.

I'VE ALREADY SPOKEN TO WILLIAMS AND CONTINENTAL, WHO ARE LOOKING AT WAYS THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE AND INVEST IN THE CHILDREN OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.

I HAD I HAVE CHAD ZIMMERMAN, CEO OF WILLIAMS, HERE WITH US TODAY.

THANK YOU, CHAD, FOR CHAMPIONING THE NEXT GENERATION OF OKLAHOMANS AND FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY.

AND I GUESS I'M GOING TO BREAK THE NEWS.

YOU SAID Y'ALL ARE DOING $1,000 FOR EVERY KID BORN THAT WORKS FOR WILLIAMS.

IT'S AMAZING.

TOGETHER, WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT THE AMERICAN DREAM.

WE'RE SECURING IT FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS, AS I'VE TRAVELED AROUND OKLAHOMA, I'VE LEARNED WHAT THE AMERICAN DREAM MEANS TO US.

OKLAHOMANS AREN'T WAITING FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM.

THEY'RE BUILDING IT FOR THEMSELVES.

IT'S THE FREEDOM TO START A BUSINESS OR NONPROFIT.

FOR OTHERS, IT'S THE FREEDOM TO BUY A HOME.

FOR NEARLY 250 YEARS, THE AMERICAN DREAM HAS BEEN ROOTED IN THE PROMISE OF HOME OWNERSHIP A PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY, BUILD A FUTURE, AND PASS SOMETHING ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

HERE IN OKLAHOMA, THAT DREAM RUNS DEEP.

OUR FOREFATHERS CHASED OPPORTUNITY IN THE LAND RUN OF 1889, STAKING CLAIMS ON UNASSIGNED LANDS AND BUILDING COMMUNITIES FROM THE GROUND UP.

THIS CHAMBER SITS ON TOP OF THAT HISTORY.

WE ARE THE HEIRS OF THEIR AMERICAN DREAM.

LIKE IN 1889, OKLAHOMA IS ONCE AGAIN ATTRACTING NEW PIONEERS BECAUSE OF OUR COMMITMENT TO LIMITED GOVERNMENT AND PROTECTING THE OKLAHOMA WAY OF LIFE.

OUR STATE IS THE VERY BEST STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

AND FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR, OKLAHOMA IS TOP TEN FOR PEOPLE MOVING INTO OUR STATE.

WE ARE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND THE WORLD IS TAKING NOTICE.

MORE BUSINESSES, MORE PEOPLE, MORE DEMAND FOR HOUSING, WHICH MEANS HIGHER PROPERTY VALUES.

AND AS OUR PROPERTY VALUES RISE, SO DO PROPERTY TAXES.

AND TOO MANY OKLAHOMANS, VETERANS, SENIORS, YOUNG FAMILIES, THEY ARE FEELING THE PRESSURE.

MANY ARE CONCERNED THEY'RE BEING PRICED OUT OF THE AMERICAN DREAM.

WE OWE OKLAHOMANS REAL RELIEF, NOT TEMPORARY FIXES AND ELECTION CYCLE TALKING POINTS.

WE CAN'T LOSE THE MOMENTUM OF THIS MOMENT.

I'M CALLING FOR A STATE QUESTION THAT FREEZES PROPERTY TAX GROWTH ACROSS THE BOARD.

SEND IT TO THE PEOPLE.

FOR SOME, THE AMERICAN DREAM MIGHT LOOK LIKE A HOME, BUT IT STARTS WITH A STRONG EDUCATION.

WE KNOW THAT WHEN YOU'RE YOUNG, YOU LEARN TO READ AND YOU GROW OLDER.

YOU READ TO LEARN.

NO CAREER PATHWAY PROGRAM, NO WORKFORCE INITIATIVE, NO INTERVENTION LATER IN SCHOOL CAN SUCCEED.

IF STUDENTS CANNOT READ WELL.

AND TOO MANY OF OUR STUDENTS ARE NOT READING AT GRADE LEVEL.

BUT LET'S BE HONEST WITH OURSELVES.

THIS CHALLENGE ISN'T NEW, AND IT ISN'T LIMITED TO EARLY LITERACY.

OKLAHOMA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE LAGGED IN OUTCOMES FOR SOME TIME, HOLDING OUR STATE BACK.

IT'S NOT BECAUSE OUR TEACHERS ARE LESS DEDICATED.

IT'S NOT BECAUSE OUR STUDENTS ARE LESS CAPABLE.

IT'S NOT BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T SPENT ENOUGH MONEY.

IT'S BECAUSE THE SYSTEM ITSELF WAS FLAWED.

FOR DECADES, STUDENTS WERE ASSIGNED TO SCHOOLS BASED SOLELY ON THEIR ZIP CODE, MEANING BY WHERE THEIR PARENTS COULD AFFORD TO BUY A HOUSE.

THOSE SCHOOLS WERE HIGHLY REGULATED, GOVERNMENT RUN, AND BUILT AROUND A ONE SIZE FITS ALL MODEL.

THAT'S HOW OUR SYSTEM WAS.

SO WE INJECTED COMPETITION INTO THE SYSTEM.

FIRST, WE PASSED OPEN TRANSFER SO KIDS COULD GET OUT OF A FAILING SCHOOL DISTRICT.

AND I WANT TO SHOUT OUT NORMAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR ACCEPTING OPEN TRANSFER WITH OPEN ARMS.

THEY'VE REMAINED NUMBER ONE YEAR AFTER YEAR FOR ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS INTO THEIR DISTRICT.

AND RIGHT NOW, ON THE SECOND FLOOR IN THE BLUE ROOM, THERE IS A GROUP OF NORMAN HIGH STUDENTS LISTENING RIGHT NOW.

AND AS A FELLOW GRADUATE OF NORMAN HIGH, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND GO TIGERS.

BUT AT THE END OF IT ALL, A STUDENT CAN TRANSFER TO A NEW SCHOOL.

BUT IF THEY WANT TO EXCEL IN ATHLETICS, THEIR OPPORTUNITY MAY BE BLOCKED BY AN UNELECTED AND UNACCOUNTABLE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ASSOCIATION.

THE OSSAA.

LAST YEAR, WE HEARD STORIES OF STUDENTS WHO FOLLOW THE RULES, DID EVERYTHING RIGHT TO TRANSFER SCHOOLS, AND YET THE OSSAA DENIED THEM THE CHANCE TO PLAY BASKETBALL AT THEIR NEW SCHOOL.

THEIR PARENTS HAD TO HIRE A LAWYER AND GO TO COURT JUST TO GET JUST SO THEIR KIDS COULD GET TO PLAY AT THEIR NEW SCHOOL.

THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE.

YOUR ABILITY TO PLAY SPORTS SHOULDN'T BE CONTINGENT ON YOUR PARENTS ABILITY TO AFFORD AN ETERNITY.

IT'S TIME TO ELIMINATE THE OSSAA AND SECURE OUR PROGRESS WITH OPEN TRANSFER.

NEXT, WE EXPANDED ACCESS TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.

OUR STATEWIDE CHARTER BOARD WAS A GREAT REFORM, BUT WE STILL LET LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS BLOCK NEW CHARTERS FROM OPENING.

LISTEN, YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO GET PERMISSION FROM MCDONALD'S TO OPEN A BURGER KING ACROSS THE STREET.

IF WE WANT TOP TIER CHARTERS TO COME TO OKLAHOMA, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO STRAIGHT TO THE STATEWIDE BOARD AUTHORIZATION.

INSTEAD OF PLAYING MOTHER MAE-EYE WITH A LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT.

FINALLY, WE PASSED THE MOST IMPACTFUL EDUCATION REFORM IN OUR HISTORY THE PARENTAL CHOICE TAX CREDIT, TO FINISH THE WORK ON THIS ACHIEVEMENT, IT'S TIME TO MAKE THE PROGRAM AVAILABLE TO EVERY OKLAHOMA FAMILY WHO WANTS IT.

LET'S ELIMINATE THE CAP.

LET THE MONEY FALL TO THE STUDENT.

PUT PARENTS IN CHARGE.

ENCOURAGE COMPETITION AND EXCELLENCE.

THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN A TURNAROUND YEAR AT THE OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

I'M PROUD TO HAVE APPOINTED LINDEL FIELDS, WHO IS LEADING THAT EFFORT.

HE'S BROUGHT A MUCH NEEDED CULTURE CHANGE TO OUR STATE.

OKLAHOMA HAS ALWAYS ELECTED ITS STATE SUPERINTENDENT.

EVERY FOUR YEARS, A NEW CANDIDATE RUNS FOR THAT OFFICE, PROMISING PARENTS A NEW SOLUTION.

MORE PROGRAMS, MORE MONEY, MORE ACCOUNTABILITY, MORE FLEXIBILITY.

ON AND ON.

IS THE PROBLEM REALLY THAT WE HAVEN'T YET FOUND THE MAGIC POLICY IDEA?

OR IS IT THAT WE HAVE A POLITICS PROBLEM?

38 OTHER STATES APPOINT THEIR SUPERINTENDENT RATHER THAN ELECTING THEM.

IT KEEPS THE FOCUS ON OUTCOMES INSTEAD OF POLITICS.

LEADERSHIP ALIGNMENT MATTERS.

THAT'S WHY OKLAHOMA'S NEXT GOVERNOR SHOULD HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO APPOINT THE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION.

I'M I'M GRATEFUL TO SPEAKER HILBERT AND PRO TEM PAXTON'S LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE.

IT'S COMMON SENSE.

LET'S GET IT DONE.

AS GOVERNOR, MY TOP PRIORITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN KEEPING OKLAHOMANS SAFE.

ONE OF THE GREATEST THREATS TO PUBLIC SAFETY IS THE OUT OF CONTROL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY.

WHEN OKLAHOMANS VOTED TO LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN 2018, WE WERE SOLD A BILL OF GOODS OUT OF STATE.

LIBERAL ACTIVISTS PREYED ON THE COMPASSIONATE NATURE OF OKLAHOMANS.

THEN IT OPENED UP PANDORA'S BOX.

NOW WE HAVE MORE DISPENSARIES THAN WE DO PHARMACIES.

THINK ABOUT THAT.

THESE STOREFRONTS HIDE AN INDUSTRY THAT ENABLES CARTEL ACTIVITY, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AND FOREIGN INFLUENCE IN OUR STATE.

ADRIAN BERG AT THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL MARIJUANA AUTHORITY AND DONNY ANDERSON AT THE OKLAHOMA BUREAU OF NARCOTICS HAVE DONE AN INCREDIBLE WORK TO HOLD BACK THE TIDE OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITY.

THIS INDUSTRY IS PLAGUED BY FOREIGN CRIMINAL INTERESTS AND BAD ACTORS, MAKING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO REIN IN.

WE CAN'T PUT A BAND-AID ON A BROKEN BONE, AND KNOWING WHAT WE KNOW NOW, IT'S TIME TO LET OKLAHOMANS BRING SAFETY AND SANITY BACK TO THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.

SEND THE MARIJUANA ISSUE BACK TO A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE, AND LET'S SHUT IT DOWN.

AS I'VE SPENT TIME REFLECTING, THERE'S ONE GREAT CHALLENGE THAT WILL REMAIN TO THOSE OF YOU IN THIS CHAMBER AND THOSE YET TO SERVE.

I IMPLORE YOU TO FIGHT FOR ONE OKLAHOMA FOR FAIRNESS, TRANSPARENCY, AND FOR STATE SOVEREIGNTY.

I'M PROUD OF OKLAHOMA'S HERITAGE FROM THE NATIVE AMERICANS WHO LIVED ON THIS LAND AND THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE LAND RUN TO STATEHOOD.

WE HAVE AN AMAZING HISTORY.

WHEN JUSTICE GORSUCH, IN A54 DECISION IN JULY OF 2020, DECIDED THAT HALF OF OUR STATE WAS A RESERVATION, I BECAME THE FIRST GOVERNOR WHO HAD TO FACE THIS NEW CHALLENGE.

IN THE WAKE OF THE MCGIRT DECISION, I HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO HOLD THE LINE TO KEEP ONE OKLAHOMA AND TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF EVERY OKLAHOMAN.

WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND PROTECT THE VISION THAT WAS CAST IN 1907.

WE NEED TO STOP ANY EFFORT TO FEDERALIZE HALF OF OUR STATE.

THAT'S WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE ELECT MEN AND WOMEN OF INTEGRITY.

AND I WANT TO MAKE A FEW TRUTHS ABUNDANTLY CLEAR.

NUMBER ONE, ALL LAWS SHOULD APPLY EQUALLY TO ALL OKLAHOMANS.

NO EXCEPTIONS.

AN INDIAN NAMED KEVIN STITT SHOULDN'T BE TREATED DIFFERENTLY THAN A SINGLE MOM OF A DIFFERENT RACE.

IF YOU COMMIT A CRIME IN OKLAHOMA, YOU SHOULD BE PROSECUTED BY A DULY ELECTED OKLAHOMA DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

YOU SHOULD BE TRIED IN AN OKLAHOMA COURT OVERSEEN BY A DULY ELECTED OKLAHOMA JUDGE, AND YOU SHOULD BE PROTECTED BY THE RIGHTS LAID OUT IN THE OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTION.

YOUR RACE SHOULDN'T CALL ANY OF THESE FACTORS INTO QUESTION NUMBER THREE.

IF YOU LIVE IN OKLAHOMA, IF YOU DRIVE ON OKLAHOMA ROADS, YOU ATTEND OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS, YOU VOTE IN OKLAHOMA ELECTIONS.

YOU ABSOLUTELY SHOULD NOT HAVE DIFFERENT TAX TREATMENT THAN ANY OTHER OKLAHOMAN.

THESE THINGS SHOULDN'T BE CONTROVERSIAL.

I CHALLENGE OKLAHOMANS TO ELECT PEOPLE WHO ARE COMMITTED TO THESE VALUES AND PROTECT THESE SIMPLE TRUTHS.

GAME WARDEN SHOULDN'T BE AFRAID TO TICKET POACHERS.

DISTRICT ATTORNEYS SHOULDN'T BE AFRAID TO PROSECUTE CRIMINALS.

LOCAL SHERIFFS SHOULDN'T BE AFRAID TO ENFORCE THE LAW.

MANY OF US IN THIS ROOM HAVE DECRIED THE DYE PROGRAMS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, YET STAND QUIETLY BY WHEN SOME SAY AN INDIAN SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A DIFFERENT SET OF LAWS.

WE EITHER BELIEVE IN EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL OR WE DON'T, AND IT'S TIME TO CHOOSE.

THIS ISSUE WILL CONTINUE TO SPLIT OUR STATE, BOTH LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY.

UNLESS WE ADDRESS IT HEAD ON, IT WILL BE UNCOMFORTABLE, AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FACE DOWN THE STATE'S LARGEST POLITICAL DONORS.

BUT WE MUST CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR ONE.

OKLAHOMA.

EVERY YEAR.

THERE ARE CHALLENGES TO ADDRESS AND HURDLES TO CLEAR, AND WE GET TO DECIDE, ARE WE GOING TO MEET THE MOMENT EVERY YEAR?

WILL WE DISAGREE AND ARGUE ABOUT SOME THINGS?

WE COME TOGETHER AND WORK FOR THE GOOD OF OUR STATE.

I ENTER THIS SESSION WITH MORE OPTIMISM THAN EVER.

LET'S DREAM BIG.

WE'VE PROVEN TO THE WORLD THAT OKLAHOMA IS SECOND TO NONE.

IT'S A STATE THAT PROMOTES INNOVATION, CHAMPIONS FREEDOM, AND CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR ITS PEOPLE.

OKLAHOMA WASN'T BUILT BY GOVERNMENT PLANNERS OR BUREAUCRATS.

OKLAHOMA WAS BUILT BY ENTREPRENEURS, RISK TAKERS AND INNOVATORS WHO BELIEVE IN FREE MARKETS AND THE AMERICAN DREAM.

THIS IDEA THAT IF YOU WORK HARD, YOU TAKE RISKS AND YOU CREATE VALUE, YOU SHOULD BE REWARDED.

THERE IS SO MORE, MUCH MORE TO COME FOR OUR STATE OPPORTUNITIES WE COULDN'T EVEN HAVE IMAGINED SEVEN YEARS AGO ARE KNOCKING ON OUR DOOR ASKING TO BE PART OF THE TURNAROUND HERE IN OUR STATE.

AS WE ENTER INTO 2026.

I HOPE OUR DISCUSSIONS ARE FULL OF POTENTIAL AND SHARED OPTIMISM.

LET'S PURSUE THE WELL-BEING OF OKLAHOMANS INSTEAD OF OUR OWN SELF-INTEREST.

RONALD REAGAN PRIOR TO HIS POLITICAL CAREER, HE GAVE A SPEECH CALLED A TIME FOR CHOOSING.

IT'S A POWERFUL SPEECH EXPLORING THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT AND THE WELFARE STATE.

I'LL CHALLENGE YOU TO GO HOME AND READ THAT SPEECH.

HE CONCLUDES BY SAYING, YOU AND I HAVE A RENDEZVOUS WITH DESTINY.

WE'LL PRESERVE FOR OUR CHILDREN.

THIS THE LAST, BEST HOPE OF MAN ON EARTH, OR WILL SENTENCE THEM TO TAKE THE LAST STEP INTO A THOUSAND YEARS OF DARKNESS.

HE'S REMINDING US THAT WE HAVE TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN THAT THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS EQUAL OUTCOMES, ONLY OPPORTUNITIES.

THE DECISIONS WE MAKE IN THIS BUILDING SHOULD NOT BE MADE SOLELY UNDER THE CONSIDERATION OF OUR NEXT ELECTION OR THE LEADERSHIP POST.

WE HOPE FOR NEXT SESSION.

THEY SHOULD NOT BE MADE IN PURSUIT OF FAVOR WITH LOBBYISTS OR SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS.

OR A JOB.

WHEN YOU WANT TO GET DONE WITH YOUR SERVICE.

EVERY DECISION WE MAKE HERE MUST BE IN PURSUIT OF THE GOOD OF OKLAHOMA'S FUTURE.

THE TURNAROUND STARTED HERE IN 2019.

IT'S BEEN AN AMAZING JOURNEY, AND IT'S UP TO US TO PRESERVE THE AMERICAN DREAM FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

OUR CHOICES WILL TAKE US TO THE NEXT LEVEL OR BACK TO THE STRUGGLES WE'VE TURNED AWAY FROM.

WE HAVE A RENDEZVOUS WITH DESTINY.

LET'S GRAB IT WITH THE TENACITY AND GRIT THAT SETS US APART AS OKLAHOMANS.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS THE GREAT STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

LET'S HAVE A GREAT 26.

REPRESENTATIVE JOSH WEST FROM GROVE AMERICA.

YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR A MOTION.

MR.

PRESIDENT, THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THIS JOINT SESSION, I MOVE THAT THE JOINT SESSION BE DISSOLVED.

YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

ALL OPPOSED?

NAY.

THE AYES HAVE IT.

THE MOTION IS ADOPTED.

THE JOINT SESSION IS DISSOLVED.

YOU'VE BEEN WATCHING GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT, STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS FROM THE OKLAHOMA STATE CAPITOL.

WE NOW RETURN TO REGULAR PROGRAMING.

NOW STREAMING ON THE PBS APP.

THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION OF DOCUMENTARIES FROM AWARD WINNING FILMMAKER KEN BURNS.

DISCOVER OVER 40 GROUNDBREAKING FILMS THAT BRING OUR HISTORY TO LIFE.

MUHAMMAD ALI WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT MAN IN THE WORLD.

HIS MAGNETISM JUST WAS AMAZING.

WHO IS THIS GUY?

HE WAS A REVOLUTIONARY.

HE WAS A GROUNDBREAKER.

WHAT ARE THEY GONNA SAY ABOUT THAT NOW?

THE PRICE OF FREEDOM COMES HIGH.

I HAVE PAID, BUT I AM FREE.

I HATE THE MYTH OF HEMINGWAY.

IT OBSCURES THE MAN.

HIS TALENT IS STUNNING.

HE WENT AGAINST THE GRAIN.

IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE A WRITER WHO HASN'T BEEN INFLUENCED BY HIM.

IN ORDER TO HAVE SOMETHING NEW TO WRITE, HE HAD TO HAVE SOMETHING NEW TO LIVE.

AND HE FELL IN LOVE QUITE A FEW TIMES.

HE'S COMPLEX AND DEEPLY FLAWED.

BUT THERE HE IS.

HEMINGWAY.

THE MAN IS MUCH MORE INTERESTING THAN THE MYTH.

THE AMERICAN IDENTITY BEGINS WHEN BENJAMIN FRANKLIN KNIT THE AMERICAN COLONIES TOGETHER.

FRANKLIN IS ENDLESSLY INTERESTING PRINTER, SCIENTIST, REVOLUTIONARY.

HE IS THE ONLY FOUNDING FATHER WHO EVIDENTLY HAD A SENSE OF HUMOR.

HIS VISION IS BROADER THAN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

THE THINGS THAT HE SPOKE OF, THAT HE WROTE ABOUT, HAD A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF POWER.

HE REALLY WAS AN AMERICAN GENIUS.

EVEN THOUGH THE HOLOCAUST TOOK PLACE IN EUROPE, IT IS A STORY THAT AMERICANS HAVE TO RECKON WITH TO.

THE PRIMARY GOAL IS TO GET TO THE UNITED STATES.

THE DOOR WAS NOT WIDE OPEN.

RULE CHANGES MAKE IT EVEN HARDER FOR REFUGEES TO GET IN.

WE ARE A GOOD PEOPLE, BUT THAT'S NOT ALL THERE IS TO THIS STORY.

STREAM THE KEN BURNS COLLECTION NOW WITH PASSPORT ON THE PBS APP.

WELL HEY THERE, IT'S DOLLY, AND I'M EXCITED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT MY IMAGINATION LIBRARY IS PARTNERING WITH THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION TO HELP ME INSPIRE A LOVE OF READING IN CHILDREN IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS LOCAL PUBLIC STATION.

FUNDING FOR CARL THE COLLECTOR HAS BEEN PROVIDED IN PART BY DESIGNED TO HELP SAVE FOR THE FUTURE.

ABLE NOW IS A TAX ADVANTAGED SAVINGS PROGRAM JUST FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

LEARN MORE AT ABLE NOW.COM.

AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

THESE GENEROUS SUPPORTERS AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

YES, IT'S CARL, THE COLLECTOR.

IT'S CARL.

IT'S CARL.

ABSOLUTELY, CARL.

IT'S CARL, THE COLLECTOR.

IT'S CARL.

IT'S CARL, THE COLLECTOR.

CARL.

CARL.

CARL.

CARL.

THE COLLECTOR.

A NEW FRIEND.

DAD.

DID YOU KNOW THE WORLD RECORD FOR THE LARGEST PRETZEL IS 29FT.

IT WEIGHED 1,728 POUNDS.

THAT'S AS MUCH AS A REALLY BIG POLAR BEAR.

NO, CARL, I HAD NO IDEA.

HEY, I WONDER HOW LONG IT TOOK FOR PEOPLE TO EAT IT.

NOT SURE.

HEY, LOOK, THEY CARRY CRISPY CRITTER CHIPS HERE.

HEY, WHILE YOU'RE TAKING INVENTORY OF THE SNACKS, I'LL BE PICKING OUT SOME FRUIT FOR OUR BREAKFAST TOMORROW.

OKAY, DAD.

OH.

HA!

STRAWBERRIES OR BLUEBERRIES?

CARL.

CARL, DO YOU WANT STRAWBERRY OR BLUEBERRY PANCAKES?

TOMORROW MORNING?

TOMORROW'S FINE.

FOUND YOU.

HI, I'M CARL.

I THINK YOU DROPPED SOMETHING.

WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

MY NAME IS PAOLO.

WHOA.

THAT'S COOL.

PAOLO.

I SAW A KID AT THE LIBRARY WITH A TABLET LIKE THAT, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO ASK HIM HOW IT WORKS.

CAN YOU SHOW ME?

OH, SO THERE ARE LETTERS AND PICTURES.

TREE.

EG.

APPLE.

HEY, THAT'S PRETTY NEAT.

THANK YOU FOR THE APPLE.

MY TABLET HELPS ME TALK.

WAS IT HARD FOR YOU TO LEARN HOW TO USE IT?

I BET IT WAS HARD BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY BUTTONS.

OKAY.

OH.

OH.

YOU'RE TYPING.

SORRY.

I'LL BE QUIET.

HARD FIRST, BUT NOW EASY.

HOW DO YOU SPELL YOUR NAME?

C A R S. CARL?

YEP.

THAT'S ME.

HI, DAD, THIS IS PAOLO.

HELLO, PAOLO.

I'M CARL'S DAD.

DO YOU LIVE AROUND HERE?

I LIVE IN THE BUILDING.

MOM?

DAD!

OH, YOUR PARENTS OWN THE STORE?

I LIVE HERE TOO.

WELL, I ALSO LIVE WITH MY MAMA.

I HAVE TWO HOMES, BUT ONLY ONE SCHOOL.

MR.

KELLY IS MY TEACHER AND I'M A COLLECTOR.

I COLLECT ALL KINDS OF THINGS ROCKS, MARBLES, FEATHERS, PINECONES, SEASHELLS, BOUNCY BALLS.

STICKERS.

STICKERS.

WOW.

YOU COLLECT THE LITTLE STICKERS THAT GO ON BANANAS?

YEAH, YEAH.

BANANA.

I LIKE BANANAS, JUST NOT WHEN THEY'RE BROWN AND MUSHY.

YUCK.

IT SEEMS LIKE YOU TWO HAVE A LOT IN COMMON.

PAOLO, COME UP FRONT, PLEASE.

GOODBYE, CARL.

BY PAOLO.

IT WAS NICE MEETING YOU.

MAYBE I'LL SEE YOU ANOTHER TIME.

YOUR PARENTS SELL REALLY GOOD SNACKS.

GOODBYE.

GOT IT.

DO YOU THINK WE CAN STOP BY THE MARKET BEFORE WE GO TO THE FISHY FOUNTAIN TODAY?

SO I CAN GIVE THIS STICKER TO PAOLO FOR HIS COLLECTION?

WE SURE CAN.

THAT'S KIND OF YOU, CARL.

DAD, WHY DOES PAOLO USE A TABLET TO TALK?

WELL, THERE ARE A FEW REASONS WHY SOMEONE MIGHT USE A DEVICE TO SPEAK.

PAOLO COULD HAVE APRAXIA.

THAT'S A CONDITION THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SPEAK THE CORRECT SOUNDS AND WORDS.

YOU KNOW HOW YOU SAID PAOLO AND I HAVE A LOT IN COMMON.

DO YOU THINK HE COULD BE AUTISTIC, TOO?

COULD BE.

CARL.

BUT I'M AUTISTIC, AND I CAN SPEAK WITH MY VOICE.

AND PAOLO MOSTLY USES A TABLET.

THAT'S TRUE.

NOT EVERYONE WHO'S AUTISTIC IS THE SAME.

LIKE ME AND LADA.

LADA DOES NOT LIKE STRONG SMELLS, BUT I DO.

WELL, EXCEPT FOR SOME FLOWERS.

I'M REALLY GLAD PAOLO HAS THE TABLET TO HELP HIM TALK AND SAY WHAT HE'S THINKING AND FEELING.

ME TOO.

CARL.

DAD, CAN I VIDEO CHAT WITH MAMA?

I WANT TO TELL HER SOMETHING.

YOU BET.

HI, CARL.

MAMA.

GUESS WHAT?

I MADE A NEW FRIEND.

HIS NAME IS PAOLO.

HE LIVES IN DAD'S BUILDING AND HIS PARENTS OWN THE STORE DOWNSTAIRS.

GUESS WHAT ELSE HE COLLECTS?

THE LITTLE STICKERS YOU PUT ON BANANAS.

THAT'S WONDERFUL.

CARL.

ALSO, THERE'S A 14% CHANCE FOR SHOWERS TODAY, EVEN THOUGH THAT MEANS IT'S MORE LIKELY IT WON'T RAIN.

I'M GOING TO PACK OUR UMBRELLAS BECAUSE 14% IS NOT 0%.

BYE BYE, CARL.

HAVE FUN TODAY.

PAOLO.

PAOLO, WHERE ARE YOU?

IT'S ME.

CARL.

OH, HI.

THERE YOU ARE.

I HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU.

THANK YOU.

FOR YOU.

WHOA!

THIS BOUNCY BALL IS AMAZING.

IT LOOKS LIKE A PLANET.

NEPTUNE.

MY FAVORITE.

AWESOME.

MY FAVORITE PLANET IS JUPITER.

BIGGEST PLANET OUT THERE.

THAT IS CORRECT.

IT'S ALSO THE OLDEST PLANET IN OUR SOLAR SYSTEM.

LOVE SPACE.

ME TOO.

HAPPY?

THIS NEW BOUNCY BALL FOR MY COLLECTION MAKES ME HAPPY TOO.

THANKS, PAOLO.

ONE FUZZY ORANGE JUICE.

NO PULP FOR THE ROAD.

HI, PAOLO.

HELLO.

THANKS, DAD.

WE'RE HEADING OVER TO THE FISHY FOUNTAIN PARK IF YOU WANT TO JOIN US LATER.

MAYBE.

OKAY, BYE.

GOODBYE, PAOLO.

NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

PAOLO.

OVER HERE.

DON'T BOTHER ASKING HIM TO PLAY.

HE DOESN'T TALK.

DON'T ASK HIM TO PLAY.

IT FEELS LIKE THAT TIME A KID IN SCHOOL CALLED ME THE AUTISTIC KID.

I NEED TO COLLECT MY THOUGHTS.

DON'T BOTHER ASKING HIM TO PLAY.

HE'S AUTISTIC.

DON'T BOTHER ASKING HIM TO PLAY.

HE'S AUTISTIC.

DON'T BOTHER ASKING HIM TO PLAY.

HE'S AUTISTIC.

DON'T BOTHER ASKING HIM TO PLAY.

HE'S AUTISTIC.

IT WASN'T NICE.

IT DIDN'T FEEL GOOD.

BUT THEN SHELDON AND ARUGULA ASKED ME TO PLAY WITH THEM.

THAT HELPED, BUT I STILL REMEMBER THAT BAD FEELING.

YEAH, EVERYONE SHOULD BE INVITED TO PLAY.

HIS NAME IS PAOLO, AND HE DOES TALK.

HE JUST TALKS WITH THE HELP OF HIS TABLET.

AND FOR YOUR INFORMATION, PAOLO IS ALSO VERY NICE.

AND HE COLLECTS STICKERS.

AND HE LIKES ASTRONOMY.

HIS FAVORITE PLANET IS NEPTUNE.

SO I'M GOING TO GO INVITE HIM TO PLAY.

OH, OKAY.

COOL.

YOU MUST BE CARL.

PAOLO'S TOLD ME ALL ABOUT YOU.

I LIKE YOUR STORE.

THANK YOU.

CARL.

OH, GOTTA FILL UP MY WATER BOTTLE.

BE RIGHT BACK.

PAOLO.

DO YOU WANT TO PLAY A BEACH BALL GAME WITH ME AND MY FRIENDS OVER BY THE FOUNTAIN?

NO.

THANK YOU.

ARE YOU SURE?

CAN'T THAT TABLET.

WHAT?

OH, I UNDERSTAND.

14% CHANCE OF RAIN.

DON'T MOVE.

I'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

JUST GOTTA GET SOMETHING FROM MY BACKPACK.

PERFECT.

FUZZY SCOUTS ARE ALWAYS PREPARED.

GIVE ME.

YEAH.

EVERYONE, THIS IS PAOLO.

HE'S MY FRIEND.

HI, PAOLO.

HI.

WOO HOO!

I KNEW IT!

14% CHANCE OF RAIN, BUT WE'RE DRY.

LET'S KEEP PLAYING.

HERE IT.

GOT YOU.

YOU'RE IT.

OH!

WATER!

THE COPYCAT.

SHOO, FLY!

DON'T BOTHER ME.

TRY NOT TO MOVE SO MUCH, NIKO.

OOH!

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE OUR SISTER PORTRAIT.

HOW'S IT COMING, LADA?

GREAT.

IF YOU BOTH JUST STAY STILL.

HEY, THIS REMINDS ME OF WHEN WE FIRST MET.

YOU WERE DRAWING UNDER THE SAME TREE.

OH, YEAH.

I HAD JUST MOVED INTO FUZZY TOWN.

WE WEREN'T FRIENDS YET.

I REALLY WANTED TO PLAY WITH YOU GUYS, BUT I WAS SO NERVOUS.

REALLY?

DON'T YOU REMEMBER RURU?

WE WERE JUMPING ROPE RIGHT OVER THERE.

OH, YES.

WHOA!

AND I WOULD DAYDREAM ABOUT PLAYING WITH YOU.

YAY!

WAHOO!

GO GO GO!

I WISH THEY WERE REALLY MY FRIENDS.

MY BALL!

THAT'S THE NEW GIRL, LADA.

SHE'S IN MY ART CLASS.

SHE'S REALLY GOOD.

HEY, LADA, CAN YOU KICK THE BALL BACK?

WHAT?

OH!

WHOA!

THAT'S OKAY.

I GOT IT!

NIKO!

CATCH!

WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT THE NEW WILL AND FRED MOVIE.

MY FAVORITE PART IS WHEN FRED SAYS I CAN'T PUT MY ARMS DOWN.

IT'S SO FUNNY.

I CRACK UP EVERY TIME.

WOW.

NIKO HAS A LOT OF FRIENDS.

I WISH I COULD BE MORE LIKE HER.

SO CONFIDENT AND FUNNY.

WHAT ABOUT YOU, LADA?

HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEW WILL AND FRED MOVIE?

OF COURSE.

MY FAVORITE PART IS WHEN FRED SAYS I CAN'T PUT MY ARMS DOWN.

SO FUNNY.

I CRACK UP EVERY TIME.

THAT'S WHAT I JUST SAID.

YEAH, I GUESS WE THINK A LOT ALIKE.

RACE YOU BACK TO CLASS.

OKAY, THE NEXT SLIDE IS LILY POLLEN.

WHOA.

IT LOOKS LIKE GIANT FLUFF BALLS.

ON TO BUGS.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT A CICADA'S WING.

DID YOU KNOW THE SHELL LEFT BEHIND BY A CICADA IS CALLED AN SUV?

YES, AND CICADAS ALSO.

OH.

NEVER MIND.

I HATE BUGS.

THEY'RE SO CREEPY CRAWLY.

THEY ARE NOT CREEPY CRAWLY, NIKO, IT'S LAURA'S TURN.

NIKO.

WHOA!

I HATE BUGS!

THEY'RE SO CREEPY CRAWLY.

RIGHT.

IT'S TIME FOR FREE PLAY.

WE'VE GOT SEVERAL CENTERS SET UP.

THE LOST CITY OF ATLANTIS, ALSO KNOWN AS THE WATER CENTER.

THE SAHARA DESERT, ALSO KNOWN AS THE SAND CENTER.

MICHELANGELO'S PLACE, ALSO KNOWN AS THE CLAY CENTER.

AND OF COURSE, THE TERRARIUM, OR, AS I LIKE TO CALL IT, THE LOST WOODS.

YAY!

SCULPTING IS MY FIRST CHOICE.

THE TERRARIUM CENTER IS MY FAVORITE.

A TERRARIUM IS LIKE AN AQUARIUM, EXCEPT IT'S FOR PLANTS RATHER THAN FISH.

THE TERRARIUM IS SUPER COOL.

THE FRIENDSHIP PLANT IS MY FAVORITE.

HURRY, WE'VE GOT TO GET TO THE WATER CENTER FIRST.

I LIKE SCULPTING, BUT NO ONE ELSE IS THERE.

THEY MIGHT THINK I'M WEIRD.

EVERYONE LIKES NICO.

IF I KEEP COPYING HER, PEOPLE LIKE ME TO.

THE YELLOW SEAHORSE IS MY FAVORITE.

THE YELLOW SEAHORSE IS MY FAVORITE TOO.

I WANTED THAT.

OH, SORRY.

HERE, YOU CAN HAVE IT.

NO, IT'S FINE.

YOU CAN HAVE IT.

OH, THERE'S ANOTHER YELLOW SEAHORSE RIGHT HERE.

FIRST IT HAS TO GO THROUGH THE MARSHY WATERS.

MINE TOO.

IT GOES THROUGH THE MARSHY WATERS.

THEN IT SWIMS TO THE TOP OF THE UNDERWATER CASTLE.

MY SEAHORSE ALSO WANTS TO SWIM TO THE TOP OF THE CASTLE.

ARE YOU COPYING ME?

OUR SEAHORSES.

JUST LIKE THE SAME THINGS.

IT'S MY GAME.

OH, LAURA, WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING.

SORRY, I WAS JUST TRYING TO FOLLOW YOU.

WELL.

STOP IT.

THE NEW GIRL HAS BEEN COPYING ME ALL DAY.

IT'S SUPER ANNOYING.

SHE'S NEW.

IT'S HARD BEING THE NEW STUDENT IN SCHOOL.

NEW OR NOT, I DON'T LIKE IT.

IT'S LIKE SHE'S MAKING FUN OF ME OR SOMETHING.

MAYBE SHE'S COPYING YOU, BUT I DON'T THINK SHE'S MAKING FUN OF YOU.

OH, THERE SHE IS.

HEY, LAURA.

JOIN US.

NO, DON'T.

SHE'S JUST GOING TO KEEP COPYING ME.

THANKS FOR LETTING ME SIT HERE.

OF COURSE.

I REALLY LIKED WHAT YOU WERE DRAWING YESTERDAY IN ART CLASS.

OH, THANKS.

I WAS DRAWING MY FAVORITE CHARACTER FROM FRIEND OF CORN.

HI, FRIEND.

CORN.

HI.

I'VE SEEN THAT SHOW.

HAVE YOU?

IT'S MY FAVORITE SHOW BECAUSE.

HI, EVERYONE.

WHAT WERE YOU GONNA SAY?

LAUDA?

OH, NOTHING.

WE SHOULD GO TO THE CREEK AFTER SCHOOL TODAY.

I'VE GOT SOMETHING SPECIAL TO SHOW YOU GUYS.

THAT'S RIGHT.

WE SHOULD GO TO THE CREEK AFTER SCHOOL.

I'VE GOT SOMETHING SPECIAL TO SHOW YOU GUYS, TOO.

ARE YOU MAKING FUN OF ME?

NO, I WASN'T.

I WAS JUST.

YOU'VE BEEN COPYING ME ALL DAY, LAURA, AND IT'S NOT VERY NICE.

YOU'RE BEING A TOTAL COPYCAT.

I FORGOT SOMETHING BACK IN THE CLASSROOM.

I BETTER GO GET IT.

WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT, NICO?

SHE MADE ME MAD.

SHE'S BEEN COPYING ME AND MAKING FUN OF ME.

YEAH, I NOTICED SHE'S BEEN FOLLOWING YOU AROUND A LOT.

IT DIDN'T SEEM LIKE SHE WAS BEING MEAN ABOUT IT, THOUGH.

BUT WHY ELSE WOULD SHE DO THAT?

WHY WOULD SHE COPY ME?

THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

MAYBE SHE WAS TRYING TO GET YOUR ATTENTION FOR SOME REASON.

MAYBE WE SHOULD JUST ASK HER.

WE COULD INVITE HER TO THE CREEK TO FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON.

WOULD THAT BE OKAY?

NO, THANKS.

IT MIGHT BE GOOD TO GET LAURA SIDE OF THE STORY.

NICO ARE FINE, BUT IF SHE COPIES ME AGAIN, THAT'S IT.

DID YOU INVITE LAURA?

I DID, SHE SAID SHE'D BE HERE SOON.

WHATEVER.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO SHOW US, NICO?

OH, IT'S REALLY WEIRD.

IT'S RIGHT OVER HERE.

WHOA.

THAT'S A PRETTY BIG ROCK.

IT'S NOT JUST A ROCK.

WHOA!

I HATE BUGS, BUT I KNOW YOU GUYS DON'T, SO I FIGURED YOU'D LIKE IT.

THAT'S A BUG.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS.

IT'S CALLED A CRAYFISH.

AND IF YOU GENTLY PICK IT UP BEHIND ITS HEAD WITHOUT SQUEEZING IT, IT WON'T PINCH YOU IF YOU REALLY LOOK AT IT.

IT'S ACTUALLY KIND OF CUTE.