State of Oklahoma Archives: on Jobs
Abby Broyles:
For Paycheck Fairness Act letting workers discuss salaries
Women working full-time in Oklahoma are paid 77 cents on the dollar compared to men. This puts us at 43rd in the nation when it comes to gender pay equity. She supports the Paycheck Fairness Act, which seeks to close the gender pay gap
in part by preventing employers from retaliating against workers who discuss salary. This is the type of common sense policy everyone should support--yet Jim Inhofe does not.
Source: 2020 Oklahoma Senate campaign website AbbyBroyles.com
Jul 26, 2020
Chris Powell:
Strongly oppose affirmative action
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Legally require hiring more women/minorities"?
A: Strongly oppose
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Oklahoma Governor candidate
May 15, 2018
Connie Johnson:
Higher minimum wage plus business incubators
Government policies affect business environment and employee wages. The minimum wage should be increased to a level that is fair to businesses, employees and taxpayers.
Develop public and private resources to connect economic and workforce development functions such as career pathways, educational incubators; and apprenticeship programs. Embracing innovation-based economic development.
Source: 2018 Oklahoma Senatorial website ConnieForGovernor.com
Oct 15, 2017
Frank Keating:
Reform worker's comp: administrative instead of court-based
We need real workers' compensation reform now. The system is clearly broken. We're among the five most costly systems in the nation, yet we were forty-eighth in benefits paid to injured workers. This is nothing less than an added tax on business.
It costs us jobs and growth. Previous reforms have helped, but now is the time for the next step in real reform. Replace the costly and anachronistic court system with a speedy, fair administrative system, as is the case in forty-seven other states.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to Oklahoma legislature
Feb 5, 2001
Joe Maldonado:
Oppose affirmative action
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Legally require hiring more women/minorities"?
A: This should be up to a business, not the Government. If a business chooses not to, and people don't use them, it's their fault they go under.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Oklahoma Governor candidate
May 15, 2018
Joe Dorman:
Minimum wage affects older workers, not just young singles
Criticism is mounting regarding Gov. Mary Fallin's decision to sign a bill that prohibits cities and towns from increasing the minimum wage to an amount higher than that of the state. The state has adopted the federal rate of $7.25. Fallin signed Senate
Bill 1023 that prevents the increase. Fallin issued a statement saying, "Obama and his Oklahoma surrogates are ignoring the fact that most minimum wage workers are young, single people working part time or entry level jobs."
Mandating an increase would result in lost jobs, she said.Her Democratic gubernatorial opponent, Rep. Joe Dorman, said the demographics of those earning minimum wage are very different than "Fallin's fantasy world."
"Most are older working
people working low-paying or multiple jobs just to get by," he said. Oklahoma has the nation's third-highest rate of people working at or below the minimum wage, Dorman's campaign said. Almost a quarter of Oklahoma jobs pay a low wage, the campaign said.
Source: Tulsa World on 2014 Oklahoma gubernatorial race
Apr 18, 2014
Kevin Stitt:
Reduce barriers on occupations; increase worker freedom
Stitt signed the Oklahoma Taxpayer Platform which includes the following planks:- Free-Market Environment: Preserve the gains made in Oklahoma in the past 20 years toward greater worker freedom and a less-adversarial legal climate.
Remove unnecessary barriers set up by state and local government for many occupations. Encourage stronger market forces in health care, education, and other sectors, with less picking of winners and losers by government.
-
State Sovereignty: Provide a barrier between Oklahomans and Federal overreach that limits our Constitutional liberties.
We cannot continue to let the Federal government impose restrictions, mandates and costs that infringe on our rights.
Source: OKTaxpayersUnite press release: 2018 Oklahoma Governor race
Jul 4, 2018
Kevin Stitt:
Protect teachers' paychecks from union bosses
Another way to support Oklahoma educators is to protect their paychecks from union bosses. The same unions that have pushed critical race theory and school closures intimidate new teachers into handing over part of their salaries. Liberal unions want to
keep a stranglehold on their cut of teacher pay. Enough is enough! Every other profession lets you opt-in to health insurance and other benefits at work every year. Unions should be opt-in, not opt-out!
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Oklahoma legislature
Feb 7, 2022
Madison Horn:
Became an advocate for diversifying the cybersecurity field
She has frequently found herself one of the only women in the room throughout her career. In working her way up the corporate ladder, Madison became an advocate for diversifying the cybersecurity field and a leader in her company for
pushing for a more inclusive future. She became involved as a dedicated mentor for women through various organizations, focusing on youth from under-resourced communities like herself.
Source: 2022 Oklahoma Senate campaign website MadisonHorn.com
Aug 24, 2022
Madison Horn:
Support providing livable wages to hard working Americans
- Address the growing workforce shortage with vocational and co-op development programs
- Support legislation providing livable wages to hard working Americans
- Promote workforce development programs to meet the demands of our
21st century economy
- Pass legislation supporting small business owners and entrepreneurship
- Modernize policy and regulation for emerging sectors and the businesses of today
Source: 2022 Oklahoma Senate campaign website MadisonHorn.com
Aug 24, 2022
Mary Fallin:
62,400 new jobs in our state; unemployment at 5.1%
Since January 2011, we've created over 62,400 new net jobs, giving us the fourth highest growth rate in the United States. Unemployment in Oklahoma has been reduced by 30 percent, from 7 percent in 2010 to an enviable
5.1 percent today, one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. Our median household income rose in 2011 by $4,000--placing Oklahoma at No. 1 in the country.We have also restored fiscal stability to state government.
In January 2011, we had $2.03 in our Rainy Day Fund. Today, we are approaching a record high of over $600 million. We achieved these results by prioritizing our spending, promoting pro-business policies and lowering taxes.
Oklahoma's state government has helped our economy to flourish--setting the stage for the job creation and family income growth that has now finally restored the state's economy to 2008, pre-recession job levels.
Source: 2013 State of the State to Oklahoma Legislature
Feb 4, 2013
Mary Fallin:
Excessive worker's compensation is a barrier to growth
A large part of our success can be attributed to Oklahoma keeping a laser like focus on reform efforts that remove barriers to economic growth--barriers like frivolous lawsuits, a problem which we tackled through landmark legal reforms.
Now malpractice lawsuits are at a 10-year low.Barriers to growth also include excessive workers compensation costs. For decades, out-of-control workers' compensation costs have been a burden on those doing business in Oklahoma.
While recent reforms have effectively worked to reduce the total costs of claims, more needs to be done.
I am committed to working with the House and Senate to pursue additional reforms that lower costs for businesses while treating injured workers fairly.
Source: 2013 State of the State to Oklahoma Legislature
Feb 4, 2013
Mary Fallin:
Prohibit cities from increasing the minimum wage
Criticism is mounting regarding Gov. Mary Fallin's decision to sign a bill that prohibits cities & towns from increasing the minimum wage to an amount higher than that of the state. The state has adopted the federal rate of $7.25.Fallin signed Senate
Bill 1023 that prevents the increase. It appears to have shuttered efforts to circulate an initiative petition to increase the rate.
President Barack Obama has advocated for increasing the rate to $10.10 an hour. Fallin issued a statement saying
Obama's plan ignores economic reality: "President Obama and the Democratic Party believe that on this issue, like on so many others, the government can just mandate prosperity and growth with no consideration of economic reality. Obama and his Oklahoma
surrogates say they want to raise the minimum wage to reduce poverty. They are ignoring the fact that most minimum wage workers are young, single people working part time or entry level jobs." Mandating an increase would result in lost jobs, she said.
Source: Tulsa World on 2014 Oklahoma gubernatorial race
Apr 18, 2014
Mick Cornett:
History of creating jobs and bringing in new industry
As Mayor, Oklahoma City created nearly 100K new jobs and over 9,400 new businesses. He wants to use his job-creating skills to attract new industry to all of Oklahoma. Under Mick's leadership,
Oklahoma City diversified its economy expanding thousands of new jobs in aviation and biomedical fields. His ability to promote our state helped create a tourism industry that has grown each year and attracted new dollars to our state.
Source: 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial campaign website Mick2018.com
Jul 4, 2018
Mike Workman:
Raise minimum wage to $10.10 now & $15 later
Raise minimum wage: phase out exemptions, raise to at least $10.10 an hour, index to inflation, then work towards a livable wage of $15 an hour.Strengthen and improve Affordable Health Care [ObamaCare] and work towards universal coverage.
I will support major efforts for a healthier workforce and citizenry with a new national effort to cure most forms of cancer in our lifetime. More diverse and better economic development in clean industries such as tourism and the arts.
Source: 2016 OK Senate campaign website facebook/Workman-4-Oklahoma
Aug 8, 2016
Mike Workman:
Livable wage for all state employees
Workman submitted the following statement on wages for public employees: "I also support taking steps towards a Livable Wage and would lead by example.
All state employees in the Department of Labor will make at least $15 per hour. And I would advocate that all public employees in Oklahoma also make at least $15 per hour."
Source: 2014 Ballotpedia statement for 2020 Oklahoma Senate race
Sep 23, 2014
Tom Coburn:
Reduce barriers on occupations; increase worker freedom
Coburn authored the Oklahoma Taxpayer Platform which includes the following planks:- Free-Market Environment: Preserve the gains made in Oklahoma in the past 20 years toward greater worker freedom and a less-adversarial legal climate.
Remove unnecessary barriers set up by state and local government for many occupations. Encourage stronger market forces in health care, education, and other sectors, with less picking of winners and losers by government.
-
State Sovereignty: Provide a barrier between Oklahomans and Federal overreach that limits our Constitutional liberties.
We cannot continue to let the Federal government impose restrictions, mandates and costs that infringe on our rights.
Source: OKTaxpayersUnite press release: 2018 Oklahoma Senate race
Jul 4, 2018
Kevin Stitt:
Create 250 new apprenticeship and internship programs
If kids aren't leaving high school college ready or career ready, we haven't done our job. I want to sign a bill that creates more internships and apprenticeships. If we can get this right, we'll lead the nation in workforce development. Companies from
all around the world will move operations to Oklahoma because it'll be clear that we have the strongest workforce anywhere. So I'm calling on businesses, schools, and universities to create 250 new apprenticeship and internship programs this year.
Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Oklahoma legislature
Feb 3, 2025
Cyndi Munson:
Inclusion programs partially why she was able to be elected
Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, said it took until 2015 for her to be elected as the first Asian American woman in the Oklahoma Legislature. She said it's not an indictment of a lack of capable Asian American women, but a lack
of representation. Programs designed to increase inclusion and equity were part of the reason Munson said she was able to be elected to the Legislature.
Source: OU Daily, "DEI", on 2026 Oklahoma Gubernatorial race
May 7, 2025
Troy Green:
Raising worker protections, strengthening labor rights
To restore dignity to work, tie wages to the cost of living, and protect gig workers and contractors. If you work hard in America, you should be able to make it in America. The Freedom to Thrive Act is a federal initiative focused on rebuilding the
American middle class by raising worker protections, expanding access to childcare, strengthening labor rights, and ensuring that every family has a fair chance to succeed.
Source: 2026 Oklahoma Senate campaign website TroyGreenForSenate.com
Apr 10, 2026
Jim Priest:
Raise the federal minimum wage
Raising the federal minimum wage so full-time workers aren't in poverty. A livable wage in Oklahoma in 2026 is $20.73 according to the MIT Livable Wage Calculator.
Each state varies but federal wage law could be tailored so that each state's minimum wage would need to be a livable wage in their state over a phased in number of years.
Source: Substack "JimPriestOK" on 2026 Oklahoma Senate race
Apr 25, 2026
Jim Priest:
Has led DEI training for clients
The DEI dilemma is one many employers currently face. Will they fall in step with the anti-DEI movement or will they live out corporate values that promote fairness and opportunity? Companies must now decide which way their ethical compass points and
whether they will bend their knee to political expedience. After practicing employment law for 30-plus years and leading DEI training for clients, I can safely say there is no legitimate legal argument that Costco's DEI practices violate the law.
Source: The Journal Record on 2026 Oklahoma Senate race
Aug 15, 2026
N`Kiyla Thomas:
I support 32-hour, full-pay workweek pilot programs
I support:- 32-hour, full-pay workweek pilot programs
- A right to disconnect from work after hours
- Flexible scheduling protections
-
Safe staffing ratios for healthcare workers
- Paid leave and caregiver protections
Source: 2026 Oklahoma Senate campaign website www.JasmineForOK.com
Aug 27, 2026
Cyndi Munson:
We have to increase the minimum wage
Q: In today's economy, a person working a minimum wage job would need to work an average of 90 hours per week to afford a market rate one-bedroom apartment. How do we fix this?MAZZEI: That's why my economic growth plan is so important. And that's
why we have to become a no income tax state. So we stop losing great high paying jobs.
MUNSON: We have a supply and demand issue on top of our affordability crisis. We are 80,000 units behind for our current population for
Oklahomans to access affordable housing. We also do have a wage issue. We have to increase the minimum wage for everyday working people. Over 50% of working families today, you at home are working more than one job and you get to the end of the month.
And I understand this, trying to stretch every single dollar that you can to pay for rent, to pay for groceries, to put gas in your car, to take care of those high utility bills.
Source: PBS News (OETA) transcript of 2026 Oklahoma Governor debate
Oct 1, 2026
Mike Mazzei:
End income tax, instead of raising minimum wage
Q: In today's economy, a person working a minimum wage job would need to work an average of 90 hours per week to afford a market rate one-bedroom apartment. How do we fix this?MAZZEI: That's why my economic growth plan is so important.
And that's why we have to become a no income tax state. So we stop losing great high paying jobs. When an Oklahoma company like Devon Energy decides to go to the no income tax state of Texas, my plan is very workable because it's done on what we call a
revenue neutral strategy. In year one, we can lower your income tax rate from 4.5% to 3% by cleaning out a ton of the $2 billion worth of tax giveaways that are in our tax code.
MUNSON: We have a supply and demand issue on top of our affordability
crisis. We are 80,000 units behind for our current population for Oklahomans to access affordable housing. We also do have a wage issue. We have to increase the minimum wage for everyday working people.
Source: PBS News (OETA) transcript of 2026 Oklahoma Governor debate
Oct 1, 2026
Page last updated: Oct 18, 2026