Gov. John Hickenlooper on Thursday called for healing following the nation’s most divisive election in recent memory, in an effort to encourage the legislature to come together to fix the state’s ongoing budget woes.

The Democratic governor delivered his seventh State of the State address to a divided legislature that will preside over his final two years in office.

Hickenlooper looked back at some of his legacy over the past six years – which he said includes a booming economy and one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state’s history – but he added that more is needed to meet needs around transportation and schools, especially in rural parts of the state.

The governor said that nothing can be accomplished unless lawmakers come together to focus on state-specific solutions, rather than allow national politics to overshadow the conversation.

“It’s no secret that we’ve just been through one of the most toxic political campaigns on record. Regardless of who you supported, we can all agree: Last year was divisive,” Hickenlooper said. “But we’ll soon have a new president, and it is clear that the new administration and Congress seek a different relationship between the federal government and the states.”

Perhaps no clearer example is in the form of health care, as the Republican-controlled Congress and Donald Trump consider repealing the Affordable Care Act. The question is whether it would be replaced. In either case, Colorado is likely to see some major shifts in terms of heath policy and Medicaid funding.

“I think most of us would agree that the last thing we want is Congress in D.C. making all of our decisions around health care,” Hickenlooper chided.

Senate President Kevin Grantham, R-Cañon City, said he was happy to hear the governor reject the heavy hand of Congress, but that Democrats are late to that realization.

“I wish he and all the other Democrats would have believed that back in 2009, and then they could have stayed out of all our health-care decisions,” said Grantham, who proposed this year eliminating the health insurance exchange in Colorado.

“That’s the hand we’re dealt now. The products and byproducts of Obamacare are the health exchanges, and ours has proven to be a failure. I look forward to the debate … to hear them explain why we should keep a failed system in place and why it’s such a great thing when it’s costing the taxpayers so much money.”

But with about two years left in his term, Hickenlooper said he would rather look forward than backward, adding, “Don’t count the days, make the days count,” quoting Muhammad Ali.

He pointed to his proposal to restructure the hospital provider fee as an enterprise fund in order to come up with money to pay for state services. The fee is assessed on hospitals to force a match of larger federal health care dollars. The plan would have exempted the hospital fee from TABOR, thereby freeing money for spending.

But Hickenlooper acknowledged the proposal is about as popular as the Oakland Raiders in Colorado.

Given the proposal’s unpopularity with Republicans, the governor challenged the legislature to come up with a funding solution, even if that means going to voters to ask for a tax increase.

And if lawmakers – Republicans specifically – don’t want to ask voters for more money, but instead desire cuts, the governor said, “If that’s what you really want, introduce that bill. Make that case. Tell us who loses health care or what schools have to close to add a mile of highway.

“Let’s decide what we take to the voters in November, and let’s make our case to the public,” the governor continued, his comments drawing standing applause from Democrats as Republicans remained seated.

Senate Republican Leader Chris Holbert of Parker said he agreed with Hickenlooper on making sure voters know what they’re getting for any tax request they’re asked to pass.

“I think it’s helpful that the voters understand that they’re in charge, whether it’s a local question or something statewide,” Holbert said. “Ultimately we put those questions before them and they decide.”

Hickenlooper also had an eye on rural Colorado during his nearly 40-minute speech, announcing a new broadband office with the goal of covering the entire state with internet by 2020. He was light on details on how that initiative would unfold.

“We can’t wave a magic wand to diversify the economy throughout the state, but if we work together, we can support growth in any community that wants it,” said Hickenlooper, adding that his office has asked to establish a “point person on the ground” for rural economic development.

Overall, however, the governor kept coming back to the budget, highlighting the constitutional “fiscal thicket” that is a Gordian knot of constitutional spending and tax conflicts, which has resulted in critical services like education and transportation being cut.

This year lawmakers are working to trim $600 million from the budget, despite the state’s upbeat economy and revenues.

“In addition to addressing transportation … let’s get our best minds together and find a way out of this thicket that respects taxpayers and gives all of our students the education they deserve,” the governor said.

And it wouldn’t be this year’s State of the State address without highlighting housing development. Construction defects liability reform could be one of the legislature’s greatest accomplishments this year, as lawmakers work to curb lawsuits against developers in an effort to spur building.

“Part of the answer is the construction defects legislation we almost passed last year and we will pass this year,” Hickenlooper said to applause. “There has to be a compromise that balances homeowner protections for faulty construction and yet still allows developers to build affordable housing throughout Colorado.”