The live stream of the speech should be starting at 10 am. I have posted it at the top of the chat. You can also check it out here:
trib.comJeremy Pelzer should be joining us shortly.
Good morning, everyone!
Welcome to the Casper Star-Tribune's live coverage of Gov. Matt Mead's 2012 State of the State address-
The ceremony will start in about five minutes, with the governor scheduled to start his speech about 10:15
It's a packed house in the Wyoming House chambers
Feels like the first day of summer camp -- everyone catching up with their old legislative friends for the first time in a year
Seen in the chambers: former state Sen. Mike Massie, D-Laramie. He's lobbying for UW these days
If you guys have any comments and/or questions, fire away anytime
Gov. Mead will likely talk at length about the budget in his address
Esp. given the need for budget cuts, with the 2013-14 revenue forecast as of January $115 million lower than the October forecast
Gov. Mead told reporters last week that he'll say in his speech that the state of the state is "
good"
Though if I had a nickel for every time a governor started a SOTS with 'the state of ____ is good," I'd be a newspaper owner instead of a reporter
And the gavel bangs. Here we go
First we'll start with the pomp and circumstance -- the escorting of the governor and his family into the chamber
Enter the judges
Having some problems embedding the feed, you can watch it here:
trib.comApparently some people are having problems watching the live feed on the Legislature's website...hopefully that'll get fixed soon
It is working on our site.
Colorado Senate just prayed for "eternal rest for Whitney Houston." Odds of Wyoming following suit? Low.
Cheer for Gov. Mead as he and his family enter the chamber
Family heads right up front -- Mead lags behind, shaking hands
Prayer for the Legislature to make the most of the "20 days" they're in session. It's actually 23 days #unnecessaryfactchecking
A Whitney Houston-free opening prayer
Try reloading it, Kelsey. It is working on my end.
This is Mead's first budget that he owns -- it'll be interesting to see how aggressive he is in pushing his agenda this session
Mead welcomes members of Northern Arapaho tribe
Standing ovation for Treasurer Joe Meyer, recovering from brain surgery to remove cancer deposits
www.google.comMead: unemployment is now 5.8%.
"Wyoming is strong in employment"
Mead: Wyoming is tops or close to the tops in trona, uranium, nat'l gas production "Wyoming remains strong in minerals"
Mead: tourism, agriculture also strong
Mead: other states had their credit rating drop. Wyoming's rose
Mead: $14 billion in assets, and we're continuing to save
Mead: Wyoming has fourth-lowest violent crime rate, sixth-lowest unemployment rate
Mead: Wyoming rated as best-run state in the nation
Mead's starting with a pep rally. "I am pleased to report the state of the state is strong."
Mead: funding for communities and infrastructure "are a high priority"
Mead: we have resources to save wisely and spend on infrastructure. Says we should not wait to enhance our critical infrastructure, and his budget "strikes the right balance"
Mead: not everyone's doing well, and we're not an island -- economic crisis in Europe, unstable global economy, and Wyoming feels the effects
Mead: for example, natural gas prices have tanked
Mead: we must find ways to diversify our economy. Touts NCAR supercomputing project in Cheyenne
