As lawmakers converge on the State Capitol for the 2010 legislative session, the first order of business is to address the revenue shortfall caused by the lingering national recession. Difficult decisions await state leaders, but I am confident that, with bipartisan cooperation, we can craft a balanced budget to preserve core government services.
In recent years, Oklahoma has made great progress. We have provided record funding for improvements in roads and bridges across the state. We have invested historic amounts in education at all levels, increased standards and accountability in our schools, raised teacher pay, and built an early childhood education program that is a model for the nation.
Through the innovative public-private partnership Insure Oklahoma, we are helping small businesses and making health coverage possible for tens of thousands of Oklahoma families. We have dramatically reduced the number of meth labs in our state, and our investments in research and technology are attracting and creating high-paying jobs for today and tomorrow.
The financial crisis will make the job of writing a budget more difficult, but now is exactly the wrong time to lose the momentum of the gains we have made. Oklahoma stands to make great strides forward amid a recovering economy, and we cannot erode our tremendous progress.
State agencies have already endured significant cuts. Undoubtedly, there are more cuts to come. But I will be working with legislative leaders to make careful and deliberate cuts that will balance the budget while protecting vital state services and gains in education, transportation, healthcare and public safety.
It is a daunting task, but I know we are up to the challenge. Oklahomans, by their very nature, are resilient and resourceful. We have seen adversity before, and each time we have emerged stronger and more unified.
Oklahomans come together in times of crisis, and so I am confident that lawmakers, on behalf of the people of this state, will work together to resolve the problems at hand.
This present crisis will pass. That is why we must also keep an eye turned to Oklahoma’s future. Future generations of Oklahomans are counting on us to make the decisions today that will ensure the brightest possible tomorrow.
If you have questions or comments, please write me at the Office of the Governor, Room 212, Oklahoma City OK 73105 or visit the “Contact the Governor” section of my website, www.governor.ok.gov.
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As lawmakers converge on the State Capitol for the 2010 legislative session, the first order of business is to address the revenue shortfall caused by the lingering national recession. Difficult decisions await state leaders, but I am confident that, with bipartisan cooperation, we can craft a balanced budget to preserve core government services.
In recent years, Oklahoma has made great progress. We have provided record funding for improvements in roads and bridges across the state. We have invested historic amounts in education at all levels, increased standards and accountability in our schools, raised teacher pay, and built an early childhood education program that is a model for the nation.
Through the innovative public-private partnership Insure Oklahoma, we are helping small businesses and making health coverage possible for tens of thousands of Oklahoma families. We have dramatically reduced the number of meth labs in our state, and our investments in research and technology are attracting and creating high-paying jobs for today and tomorrow.
The financial crisis will make the job of writing a budget more difficult, but now is exactly the wrong time to lose the momentum of the gains we have made. Oklahoma stands to make great strides forward amid a recovering economy, and we cannot erode our tremendous progress.
State agencies have already endured significant cuts. Undoubtedly, there are more cuts to come. But I will be working with legislative leaders to make careful and deliberate cuts that will balance the budget while protecting vital state services and gains in education, transportation, healthcare and public safety.
It is a daunting task, but I know we are up to the challenge. Oklahomans, by their very nature, are resilient and resourceful. We have seen adversity before, and each time we have emerged stronger and more unified.
Oklahomans come together in times of crisis, and so I am confident that lawmakers, on behalf of the people of this state, will work together to resolve the problems at hand.
This present crisis will pass. That is why we must also keep an eye turned to Oklahoma’s future. Future generations of Oklahomans are counting on us to make the decisions today that will ensure the brightest possible tomorrow.
If you have questions or comments, please write me at the Office of the Governor, Room 212, Oklahoma City OK 73105 or visit the “Contact the Governor” section of my website, www.governor.ok.gov.
