OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and different statewide elected officers took their oaths of office on Monday forward of a legislative session during which lawmakers are anticipated to think about chopping taxes amid file income collections.
Stitt, a rich mortgage firm proprietor and political newcomer when he was first elected in 2018, simply won reelection in November to a second, four-year time period, defeating Democrat Joy Hofmeister by greater than 13 proportion factors. He took the oath of office along with his spouse, Sarah, by his facet and a number of other of his six kids within the entrance row.
Also sworn in Monday by Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice John Kane IV have been Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell; Attorney General Gentner Drummond; Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn; Treasurer Todd Russ; Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready; Auditor and Inspector Cyndi Byrd; Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters; and Corporation Commissioner Kim David.
During a 20-minute speech after his swearing in, the governor touted his accomplishments over the past 4 years, together with opening the state for enterprise quickly after the coronavirus pandemic and dealing to scale back the state’s jail inhabitants, which was among the many highest per capita within the nation when he took office 4 years in the past.
Stitt mentioned the Legislature’s choice to provide the governor extra authority over state companies was significantly useful in enhancing operations inside the Department of Corrections, the place Stitt was capable of appoint a brand new government director.
“As a result, we closed four prisons, safely reduced the number of inmates by over 5,000; we gave our frontline professionals a much needed pay raise; and we saved the taxpayer hundreds of millions of dollars,” Stitt mentioned.
Even as he boasted of a file state financial savings account of greater than $3 billion, Stitt emphasised his need to scale back the dimensions of state companies and push for flat budgets.
“We have bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., who think the only solution to improving the plight of our fellow Americans is more government,” Stitt mentioned. “But government is not the solution to our problems. Most of the time, government is the problem.”
New House Democratic leader Rep. Cyndi Munson said that while she shares Stitt’s enthusiasm for improving the lives of Oklahomans, she said the governor did little to move the state forward during his first term in office.
“We still rank 45th in public school funding, 48th in access to healthcare, and just last year were cited as the worst state for women to live in the entire country,” Munson said in a statement. “The facts don’t lie and we are nowhere near a top 10 state after four years of Gov. Stitt.”
Stitt is predicted to current his proposed funds and ship extra coverage particulars in his fifth State of the State speech to the Oklahoma Legislature when it convenes Feb. 6. In that speech, the Republican governor will possible urge lawmakers to approve cuts to the state sales tax on groceries and the individual and corporate income tax rates that he has called for in recent years.
Stitt also is expected to push again for a school voucher program that would allow state funds to be used for tuition at private schools, including religious schools. That issue has proven a thorny one in the Legislature, with a similar proposal failing to cross the state Senate amid bipartisan opposition. The plan is much more unpopular within the House, the place many rural lawmakers contend it might siphon funding away from public faculties there.
In an announcement launched earlier than the governor’s inauguration, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. launched an announcement stating that he could be attending the occasion and hoped the tribe and state may transfer ahead respectfully.
“I have been plain spoken and direct when it comes to Oklahoma’s relationship with the Cherokee Nation: We are the best friend the state has ever had, we just need to be treated with respect. I stand for this idea irrespective of who holds political office in the state and without fear or favor. But, I also recognize that respect is a two way street,” Hoskin mentioned. “Our relationship with the State of Oklahoma is an indispensable one. We can, and we must, continue fiercely defending Cherokee sovereignty and also find ways to work with the state on a range of issues. We have been doing on a bipartisan basis with friends through state government. A successful Oklahoma is good for Cherokee Nation, and vice versa. Today’s event is worthy of our respect and it is important that Cherokee Nation celebrate the renewal of State government through the democratic process. Today I wish all state leaders, including Governor Stitt, well as they take their oaths of office and we all move forward.”
put up credit score to Source link
