Fallin Email Outlines More Specifics on 2013 Agenda
2013 Agenda: Private Sector Job Growth and Responsible Government
Dear Friend,
On Monday, I had the privilege of addressing the Oklahoma Legislature and delivering my third State of the State Address. It was a wonderful day for Oklahoma, and I was proud to share with all our citizens the good news from our great state.
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 from 7 percent in 2010 to an enviable 5.1 percent today, one of the lowest rates in the nation. Our median household income rose in 2011 by $4,000 – placing Oklahoma at No. 1 in the country. And the state Rainy Day Savings account has gone from $2.03 to a record high of over $600 million.
Our state’s economic success is a testament to the effectiveness of the pro-business, pro-growth reforms we have achieved the last several years.
My role as governor is to keep the “pedal to the metal”, so to speak, and ensure that Oklahoma takes the right steps to accelerate our growth and build on our recent achievements.
That starts with cutting taxes. My executive budget proposes a responsible, measured income tax cut of 0.25 percent that allows Oklahomans to keep more of their hard-earned money.
Growing our economy also goes hand-in-hand with reducing barriers to business like excessive workers’ compensation costs.
It also means supporting education – particularly the recent reforms promoting accountability and student achievement – so that we can create a highly educated workforce well prepared for the jobs of the future.
All of these are part of my 2013 agenda to support private sector job growth and business development. To learn more, please click here now.
Of course, for Oklahoma to be friendlier to business, it will also have to be run more like a business. That means delivering a more responsible government that spends taxpayer dollars conservatively and wisely. To do that, we will continue to pursue government consolidation reforms that eliminate waste and take actions to ensure the long-term stability of our pension systems.
Finally, it’s important we stand up to President Obama when he tries to force policies on Oklahomans that we don’t want. In my State of the State address, I reminded lawmakers why we must reject the implementation of the massive Medicaid expansion in Obamacare. The president’s proposal is estimated to cost the state of Oklahoma almost $700 million between now and 2022, money that will cut directly into the budgets of other state priorities like education and public safety. It is a fiscally irresponsible expansion of a flawed entitlement program that offers no real reform measures.
In Oklahoma, we’ll continue to pursue reform measures that boost health and mental health outcomes for our citizens. What we don’t need and don’t want, however, is more Big Government solutions from the president’s health care plan.
This year promises to be a productive legislative session geared towards conservative policies that promote economic growth and fiscal discipline. I’m excited to roll up my sleeves and get to work on behalf of all Oklahomans!
God Bless,
Governor Mary Fallin
P.S. – To learn more about our 2013 Agenda and read a copy of my State of the State Address, please click here now.