Kevin Stitt in 2019 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Crime:
Make it easier for ex-cons to go to work
But money is not the sole action government must take. I am encouraged by legislation in the House to accomplish licensing reform for those with a felony.
We must give Oklahomans re-entering society more opportunities to be gainfully employed and we must give employers more discretion on who they can hire.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Oklahoma legislature
Feb 4, 2019
On Drugs:
Help non-violent offenders: identify roots of addiction
We are number one in the nation for incarceration. To move the needle, it will require us to change the way we see the person who is in a cycle of incarceration for non-violent crimes. It is why my budget requests: $1.5 million to Women in
Recovery, a public-private partnership to help women identify the roots of their addictions and develop life skills, and $10 million to the County Community Safety Investment Fund
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Oklahoma legislature
Feb 4, 2019
On Education:
Invest in recruiting & keeping teachers
My administration is committed to public education and understands that the large majority of our students attend public schools. We are confronted with a nationwide teacher shortage. With recent revenue growth,
I ask the Legislature to bring our teachers to number one in our region in pay and benefits. This amounts to a $1,200 increase per teacher. I am also calling for a bonus recruitment program, up to $5 million.
We must also look at ways to better stabilize the funding of public education. The fact that Texas is preparing to pass a teacher pay increase--at a cost of $3.7 billion--compels us to review and reform our state's funding formula and to take the
handcuffs off local communities wanting to compete, recruit, and retain the very best teachers. We must chart a bold course that allows for communities to do more for their students without being penalized with the loss of state support.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Oklahoma legislature
Feb 4, 2019
On Education:
Prepare students for jobs with career tech
We must not forget that education should be first and foremost about our students, not about systems. I will sign into law any legislation that seeks to break down the silos between common education, career techs, and higher education
so that we can better align the education experience for Oklahoma's children and prepare them for tomorrow's workforce of machinists, computer programmers, engineers, and more.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Oklahoma legislature
Feb 4, 2019
On Government Reform:
Reclaim executive powers: more accountable than agencies
Our state Constitution vests supreme executive power in the Governor, but too often that executive power has been delegated by statute to boards that are not directly accountable to the citizens of Oklahoma. State government today is much larger than it
was 112 years ago. As a result, accountability for those in power is spread too thin and, at times, it seems as if no one is really in charge. Let's not wait for another crisis to start making this necessary reform across our largest agencies.
We will also reimagine state government so that our customers--Oklahoma taxpayers--are the primary focus. This is why I have placed a special emphasis in my administration on the digital transformation of state agencies. I am calling for the
Legislature to fund a $20 million grant program where agencies can apply to receive funds to bring their services into the 21st Century and to make government more customer-centered and efficient.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Oklahoma legislature
Feb 4, 2019
On Government Reform:
Set aside more of the budget surplus
When we look at states where the economy depends on the price of oil, they place a strong emphasis on saving during the good years. One thing we know is true, oil prices are going to go up and oil prices are going to go down. I am setting a goal for
Oklahoma to have $1 billion in our savings by the end of FY20. We must set aside an additional $250 million from revenue growth. Being conservative with our budget surplus will protect Oklahoma from having to cut core services in the future.
The balance of Oklahoma's Quick Action Closing Fund is $4.3 million. By comparison, the latest legislative report for the Texas Enterprise Fund indicates the state has awarded $609 million from its Quick Action Closing Fund, resulting in 94,347 jobs.
In Arkansas, their fund has awarded over $120 million, resulting in 26,684 jobs. You can help me sign on the dotted line for new opportunities to grow Oklahoma and demonstrate to the nation that Oklahoma is not afraid to compete with our neighbors.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Oklahoma legislature
Feb 4, 2019
On Health Care:
Governor should have more control on Medicaid
Medicaid is the fastest growing expense in our state budget, and before we commit our state to accepting even more Medicaid dollars, Oklahomans deserve accountability and transparency with our state's management of the Healthcare Authority.
Oklahoma is the only state in the nation where the governor does not have the authority to provide oversight of this agency. We are sticking out like a sore thumb, and this must change.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Oklahoma legislature
Feb 4, 2019
Page last updated: Apr 02, 2019