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FRANKFORT — Promising a “fresh start for Kentucky” if its people and politicians heed the state motto of “United We Stand, Divided We Fall,” Republican Matt Bevin became Kentucky’s 62^nd governor Tuesday.

With his extended family behind him, sunshine and blue skies overhead and the happy Republican faithful comprising most of the 2,500 people before him, Bevin said Kentucky can be the best version of itself only if all are willing to sacrifice for that goal.

Bevin spent the two-thirds of his half-hour inaugural speech — delivered without notes or teleprompters — offering inspiration and hope for a better Kentucky and a better future.

“This is our Kentucky; this is our opportunity, this is our ability to become the greatest version of ourselves that we can possibly be,” Bevin said.

Bevin and Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton, the first African American elected to statewide office in Kentucky, are both military veterans and Bevin compared the sacrifices required of Kentuckians with those by America’s veterans.

Veterans had prominent roles in Tuesday’s Inaugural Parade and Congressional Medal of Honor winner Dakota Meyer spoke from the podium. Bevin said the same sort of sacrifice by veterans is what is required of Kentucky’s citizens to be the best “version of ourselves.”

“We say we want a better Kentucky; we say we want a better America; my challenge to each and every one of you is: how badly do you want it?” asked Bevin. “Because if you don’t want it badly enough to give some modicum of sacrifice, something from yourself . . . we will not have a better Kentucky; we will not have a better America. We won’t and frankly we won’t deserve it.”

As he often did on the campaign trail, Bevin said it’s not important if one is a Republican or Democrat — “We’re all Kentuckians” — but all must work together to produce the “morning in Kentucky” he says the future can be.

But if listeners expected any alterations from their new governor than the policy proposals they heard on the campaign trail, they were surely surprised.

Acknowledging that campaigning and governing are different and saying Kentucky is better than many of its rankings on education, workforce, health and quality of life measurements, Bevin said he plans to deliver on his campaign pledges.

He did so in simple, declarative sentences — he didn’t call on lawmakers to get on board, he simply promised to deliver: on pensions; “modernizing” the tax code — even coupling that idea with the budget he must present to the General Assembly in late January; moving those enrolled in health insurance coverage through the state exchange to the federal exchange; and changing expanded Medicaid to resemble the modified version employed in Indiana.

In fact, one of Bevin’s guests was Indiana Republican Gov. Mike Pence who Bevin acknowledged for changes he made to the expanded Medicaid program.

He defiantly promised not to let regulators from Washington “wag the dog in Kentucky.” He cited the 10^th Amendment and said it provides state sovereignty and, “We are going to exercise that sovereignty, exercise that authority.”

Most constitutional scholars take a different view of the issue than Bevin, but again it is an issue he openly argued during the campaign, saying he’d tell the federal government to “pound sand” when it tries to enforce environmental and other regulations.

Bevin promised to create public charter schools, saying competition is good and Kentucky is one of seven states without some form of charter schools — an idea vigorously opposed by the Kentucky Education Association and Democrats who control the state House of Representatives.

Nevertheless, Bevin said, “That is going to end,” referring to the lack of charter schools. He said Kentucky has great public schools and great public school teachers but competition will improve education.

“And we will start with public charter schools,” Bevin said, adding, “we owe nothing less to our school children.”

Afterward, reaction seemed linked to party. State Rep. Derrick Graham, D-Frankfort, a retired schoolteacher, said Bevin doesn’t seem to understand the legislative branch has a role to play in setting policy and the Democratic House isn’t likely to go along with some of Bevin’s promises.

But Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Latonia, thought the speech was “absolutely great and stayed consistent on the things he talked about during the campaign.”

McDaniel said he believes Bevin understands the role of lawmakers and will work with them to advance his agenda.

RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com. Follow CNHI News Service stories on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cnhifrankfort.