In a go to sponsored by the Norman Economic Development Coalition on Wednesday, Gov. Kevin Stitt addressed financial initiatives in addition to matters which have made waves throughout his time in workplace and on the marketing campaign path.
Stitt spoke for a number of minutes earlier than taking questions contained in the Norman Chamber of Commerce constructing, lower than every week earlier than the state’s normal election.
He faces state colleges superintendent Joy Hofmeister, a Democrat, in what polls have indicated will likely be a decent race for governor.
Stitt criticized his opponent, telling attendees Hofmeister has many causes to hearken to “special interest groups” as a substitute of Oklahomans.
Reached Wednesday, Hofmeister stated Stitt “continues to lie and mislead voters from his record of mismanagement and corruption.”
“Oklahomans are ready for a governor who will hold both parties accountable to put the needs of our families and businesses first,” she stated in an announcement to The Transcript.
Lawrence McKinney, the coalition’s president, advised the Transcript his group is nonpartisan, and Stitt’s workforce had requested to talk to the group. McKinney stated NEDC would welcome any candidate who needs to talk.
Stitt spoke extensively Wednesday in regards to the state’s financial system, but in addition touched COVID-19 rules, school choice and laws concerning transgender youth. He additionally spoke briefly in regards to the proposed turnpike growth in east Norman.
More than a dozen folks — most upset in regards to the proposed growth — stood exterior the constructing holding indicators in protest.
Stitt has drawn criticism from residents on Norman’s east aspect for supporting the $5 billion, 15-year plan, which incorporates two proposed toll roads. One would run by means of the Lake Thunderbird watershed and will doubtlessly influence lots of of residents in the realm.
Stitt argued Wednesday the turnpike growth will tackle “the infrastructure needs of a growing city and a growing state,” and state officers are actively in search of a technique to influence as few residents as doable with the growth.
Business and conservative values
In his opening remarks, Stitt touted how the state has greater than $2.8 billion in financial savings, a lot of which was amassed throughout his time as governor. He spoke of approving a mean increase of $1,220 for lecturers in 2021, and rising Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers’ salaries by 30%.
He talked about the Legislature approving — and him signing off on — a $20 million allocation to the Norman Aviation Academy. He stated the state wants airframe and/or powerframe mechanics.
“If you want to be an A&P mechanic, you go there, and you’re 90% there when you graduate high school,” he stated. “We’re working with the feds to finish that last piece up — right now, you have to go to a career tech to get that last piece, and we’re working with the FAA to actually get that all done in high school.”
Stitt additionally stated he plans to signal a memorandum of understanding with the governors of Arkansas and Louisiana to deliver a hydrogen hub in Oklahoma.
When it involves enterprise, Stitt stated his administration believes “in smaller government, lower taxes and unleashing the private sector to grow.” He argued that is likely one of the causes folks from extra progressive states are shifting to Oklahoma, due to “the high-tax, kind of lockdown mentality” they’re seeing.
“If we’re clear with our culture, you’re going to see more businesses coming, more people moving to Oklahoma,” he stated. “It’s not for everybody; certainly, there will be people who disagree with me.”
Education and trans youth
Stitt claimed one of many high issues folks shifting from extra progressive states ask about is whether or not their youngsters are required to be vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 to go to school.
He additionally spoke in opposition to Tulsa Public Schools, which he stated “closed for 355 days” throughout COVID-19. He had beforehand stated the district had closed for 300 consecutive days, in line with The Oklahoman.
He additionally supported school choice — one thing he argued drove down per-pupil spending, however elevated check scores, in Florida. Florida’s school choice program has pushed up check scores, however outcomes of those applications fluctuate state to state.
School choice is a matter Stitt and Hofmeister disagree on — Hofmeister has argued such a program would hurt rural public colleges. A invoice launched in the 2022 Legislative Session for school choice would price the state $119 million and $162 million.
While Stitt has argued taxes would keep in the zip code, the proposed invoice would have negatively impacted funding to varsities — together with in areas with out personal colleges — until the state moved to cowl prices, in line with Oklahoma Watch.
Stitt tied school choice to household involvement in college students’ lives, and argued “the traditional family” must be emphasised in school sports activities and different areas as properly. He stated the Save Women in Sports Act, which bans transgender boys from competing in ladies’ sports activities in Oklahoma, was certainly one of his favourite payments he signed into legislation through the 2022 Legislative Session.
Critics argued the invoice was addressing an issue that didn’t exist.
The governor additionally spoke properly of his determination to signal Senate Bill 3 in particular session, which appropriated greater than $100 million in American Rescue Plan Act cash to hospitals in the state on the situation that OU Health cease transitional surgical procedures and hormone remedy for trans youth. Upon signing the invoice, Stitt inspired Oklahoma lawmakers to move a invoice that might ban gender-affirming look after trans youth in the state.
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