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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2018
Governor Mary Fallin Delivers 2018 State of the State Address
Governor in final
message to legislators urges lawmakers to consider reform, revenue plan
developed by business and community leaders to address ongoing challenges,
provide a pay raise for teachers, and strengthen Oklahoma’s image
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today delivered the annual State of the State Address in
front of a joint session of the Oklahoma Legislature. In it, Fallin focused on
the urgent need to improve the state’s budgeting process, saying the Step Up
Oklahoma plan proposed by a group of community and business leaders is the best
option for lawmakers to sufficiently fund education, public safety, health, and
the state’s infrastructure needs. Her State of the State Address can be found here. The proposed
Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2019 can be found here.
An
historic, defining moment
Fallin, in her final State of the State
address, opted not to talk about her accomplishments during her seven years in
office. Instead, she urged lawmakers to focus on solving the state’s budget
crisis and address important policy goals.
“Make no mistake about it: This is an
historic, defining moment before us. We are in a unique period as this
legislative session begins with a concurrent special session. We also are at a
special point in Oklahoma’s journey because the prospect of a brighter path
forward is so very near.
“What
we do as a unified group of people elected by the citizens of our state could
be considered the moment in time that changed Oklahoma.”- Governor Mary Fallin
The governor said lawmakers should also
consider reforms proposed in the Step Up Oklahoma plan, saying revenue alone
will not stabilize the state’s budget situation.
“We have to include reforms as well. My budget
includes money for agency performance and accountability efforts, which will
ensure public resources are being spent appropriately and help address public
confidence in state governance.” – Governor Mary Fallin
Criminal
justice reforms
Fallin asked lawmakers to invest in ways
to be smarter on crime, but yet remain tough on violent criminals.
“Too few Oklahomans are getting the
treatment they need for substance abuse and mental health issues, and are
instead winding up in our criminal justice system. We need to stop warehousing
moms and dads, sons and daughters in prison when many just need substance abuse
treatment.
“We need to
continue our focus, and can do so without
jeopardizing public safety. There are bills proposed by the Oklahoma Justice
Reform Task Force that are smart, data-driven solutions to safely and prudently
fix our criminal justice system. Send them to me to sign.” – Governor Mary
Fallin
Calls
on lawmakers to approve teacher pay raise
Fallin, for the third year in a row,
challenged lawmakers to approve a pay raise for public school teachers. The
Step Up Oklahoma plan includes a $5,000 pay raise for teachers. Fallin said
teachers will see the increase not just as a way to help pay bills, but as a
validation of their vital vocation.
“What kind of future do we want to
have? Do we find it acceptable to have four-day school weeks? Is it acceptable for
Texas to steal our teachers and leave our classrooms short of teachers?” –
Governor Mary Fallin
Other
highlights
The governor, during her speech, reminded
lawmakers of the policy strides taken by the Department of Human Services in
the Pinnacle Plan to meet the needs of abused or abandoned children. Oklahoma
has the highest number of gains in foster care homes in the nation.
Fallin asked legislators to recall the
Oklahoma Standard – of neighbor helping neighbor - and of the state being
Oklahoma Strong – when in the face of crisis Oklahomans came together and
solved the problem.
“The
people of Oklahoma expect excellence and demand we solve our state’s problems.
That is why we were elected – to lead, roll up our sleeves, get to work, solve
problems, and find solutions.
“This
is a defining moment for our state. We have two clear choices – We can continue
down a path of sliding backwards, or the second path is to say ‘Enough is
enough! We can do better! We deserve better! Our children deserve better!’
“This
is a great opportunity to address ongoing challenges, to strengthen our state’s
image and brand.” – Governor Mary Fallin
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Web: www.governor.ok.gov
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GovernorMaryFallin
Twitter: www.twitter.com/GovMaryFallin
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