 This is an executive two executive orders that I am going to sign in a minute That is an effort to explicitly and decisively end discrimination based on sexual orientation Gender expression and identity in the executive branch of our state government. I am urging and doing this I'm this is not The end of the game. I am urging the legislature to pass a non-discrimination bill that makes it clear to the world That Pennsylvania is a welcoming place for everyone. This is the right thing for us to do Just as it was the right thing for William Penn to do when he proclaimed that Pennsylvania was a place for everyone regardless of their religion But this is also the smart thing to do PayPal's I'm sure you're aware this PayPal's recent decision not to add 500 new jobs in North Carolina Because of that state's insistence on promoting a culture of discrimination shows that this is economically the smart thing to do Like PayPal businesses want to invest in places that show they value all People who are willing to work hard who are willing to take risks who are willing to raise a family or build a business And we need to make sure that we have a level playing field in Pennsylvania because Economies and commonwealths can't thrive on a playing field that isn't level We need to ensure that Pennsylvania is a welcoming place Regardless of the color of one's skin person's gender religion you profess or the person you love We need to understand that a future that does not take non-discrimination Seriously is a poor future indeed We can and we should in Pennsylvania do better And I'm troubled by the fact that the General Assembly is shown in action on passing non-discrimination legislation Pennsylvania needs to go on record to proclaim that all people Regardless of sexual orientation gender expression or identity are treated equally under Pennsylvania law So while I wait for the legislature to send non-discrimination Legislation to my desk which I will sign I am today signing these executive orders In other words these executive orders are a first step toward the non-discriminate legislation. We all know we need these executive orders One that applies to the commonwealth employees and the other that applies to grants and to procurement say that no agency under the governor's Jurisdiction shall discriminate against any employee or applicant applicant for employment on the basis of race color religious creed ancestry union membership age Gender sexual orientation gender identity and expression national origin AIDS or HIV status or disability Each agency under the governor's jurisdiction will ensure fair and equal employment opportunities The employment practices of the commonwealth must be non-discriminatory and all businesses Contracting with the commonwealth must use non-discriminatory practices in subcontracting hiring promoting and other labor matters The point again is that fairness matters? None of us can lead full lives if all of us don't the society that is unfair to some Is unfair to all if we want a healthy economy if we want a strong democracy if we want Adjust society we have to do this This is why non-discrimination is important and it's why these executive orders are important again This is a small step in the broader effort to make sure all pennsylvania's fear feel that their lives matter That broader that broader effort includes equitable and adequate education funding a fair minimum wage and good government We all want pennsylvania to have a bright future these initiatives what I'm signing today Make will make for that brighter future My hope is that the general assembly comes around to agree with me and share the point of view that we need to move forward together So thank you very much. I'm going to sign this executive order If you want to what I'm going to do is sign the executive order, then I'll come back here and take questions So I'm going to sign this is the executive order an equal opportunity and the date is I want to make sure you get this right There