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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The State of the State Address is a chance for the governor to weigh in on state affairs. Typically, the Governor will discuss the state government’s progress throughout his term. It’s also a chance for Gov. Stitt to talk about issues he’s focused on for the yearly legislative session.
In previous addresses, Stitt talked about cutting taxes and ensuring Oklahoma is a top-ten state. This year, the governor spoke about more of the same claiming that the state is in the top ten for gross domestic product growth and lowest cost of living.
Addressing Poverty
Gov. Stitt says the best way to defeat poverty is to graduate high school, obtain a job, and not have children out of wedlock.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Oklahoma’s high school graduation rate is around 81%, which is below the national average of 87%.
The Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University believes the best way to reduce poverty is for more government assistance programs. Childcare resources, employment, food access, and housing assistance are some of the ways local government can help combat poverty.
Throughout the Address, Gov. Stitt repeated that he wants to limit government overreach.
“Excessive government intervention encourages people to look to government programs instead of personal responsibility,” Gov. Stitt said. He added that rolling back the growth of government will encourage more corporations to call Oklahoma home.
Battle to Lower Taxes
Last week, Stitt called for a special session to lower income tax rates from 4.75% to 3.99%. He uses Florida’s population growth rate and a 0% income tax as examples. However, Florida has a corporate tax rate of 5.5%, while Oklahoma’s is 4%. According to the NAICS Association, Florida has 1.4 million operating businesses and Oklahoma has 106,730.
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Stitt’s Interest in Mexico Border
A hot topic as of late is the situation at the Texas-Mexico border. There has been heavy criticism from Republicans over the Biden Administration’s request to remove razor wire along a portion of the border.
Last week Gov. Stitt spoke to Fox News about his backing of Texas Gov. Abbott. He reinstated his support during Monday’s speech saying, “I will continue to offer the assistance of the Oklahoma National Guard because we know that when we don’t have a secure border, every state is a border state.”
Tribal Relations
In typical Stitt fashion, he took the opportunity to talk about the McGirt decision. McGirt v Oklahoma is a Supreme Court case that established criminal jurisdiction over tribal citizens on tribal land. “It’s a decision that has rocked our state and caused division where previously there was none,” the governor stated.
He also brings attention to the One Oklahoma Task Force, “I hope that this task force can work to find a solution that protects the safety of all four million Oklahomans, regardless of their race or heritage, and I hope the tribes will choose to participate.”
The newly created task force was publicly denounced by officials of The Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes. A joint statement from leaders of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee-Creek, and Seminole Nations said that the task force is “designed to divide rather than unify.”
Gov. Stitt then aimed directly at tribal leaders. He brought up the lack of state-funded resources like roads and hospitals provided to the Navajo Nation in Arizona. “There are tribal governments who want Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma to look like the Navajo Reservation.”
Governor’s Closing Remarks
To conclude his speech, Stitt quoted Ronald Reagan, “There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” He then segued to his hopes for Oklahoma’s future. “As for me and my state, we will serve the Lord,” he continued, “We’re making sure the next generation can live out their American Dream – their Oklahoma dream.”
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