OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt is pushing for excellence in education, bringing more businesses to Oklahoma and protecting our freedoms — detailing how he wanted to make his key issues happen in Monday’s State of the State address at the state capitol.
Stitt headlined the address with his vigorously promoted plan for school choice.
“Let’s fund students, not systems,” he said. “Let’s create more schools, not fewer schools.”
He’s proposing $130 million for an education savings account, $100 million for a fund to create new schools, $100 million for a reading initiative and $50 million for performance-based teacher pay raises. That is in support of State Superintendent Ryan Walters’s plan for merit pay, slashing the across-the-board increase pushed by his predecessor, Joy Hofmeister.
Stitt tackled some hot-button issues, like calling for universities to have fewer Diversity, Equity and Inclusion officers.
“Because when we send out kids to college we expect our tuition to pay for their education, not their indoctrination,” Stitt said.
He also called for a larger ban on gender-affirming care. OU Health stopped some services last year due to state pressure and a threat of losing millions in federal funding.
“I am calling on the legislature to send me a bill that bans all gender transition surgeries and hormone therapies on minors in the state,” he said.
A large group of protestors showed up at the capitol with signs opposing the proposed ban and showing support for trans rights.
To attract new businesses, Stitt wants infrastructure and broadband internet improvements. To address inflation, he wants to eliminate the state grocery tax and reduce personal income tax. To protect freedoms, among other ideas is stronger transparency, despite vetoing a fiscal transparency bill last year.
He also vows to crack down on illegal marijuana farms.
“As long as I am governor, we will protect Oklahoma from the Communist party of China and we will not allow foreign nationals to purchase farmland in the state of Oklahoma,” Stitt said.
He also touched on expanding fatherhood programs and grandparents’ rights in an effort to become the “most pro-family state” in America.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --
- Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices.
- Sign up for daily newsletters emailed to you
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Twitter
