Thread by @OklahomaWatch

Happening Now: @GovStitt is a giving his first State of the State address as Oklahoma’s 28th governor

After thanking guests, Stitt starts by echoing a campaign talking point saying “ My vision for Oklahoma is very clear and simple: to make Oklahoma top ten.” #okleg

Gov. Stitt lists three steps to make Oklahoma “top ten.”
1.Select people for “critical” leadership roles (a reference to his desire for gov to fire/hire top agency heads)
2.Set measurable goals.
3.Hold ourselves responsible for delivering results

Now onto the budget: Stitt says revenue growth is up potentially $600M. (The final number #okleg lawmakers will get to develop their budget won’t be known until later this month. Could be decreased millions b/c of low oil prices)

Stitt says he wants to “reimagine state government” and says “Oklahomans want three things: accountability, transparency, and results.”

He cites last year’s Dept of Health financial mess for need for more accountability. #okleg

Stitt is asking #okleg to pass a bill giving him authority to hire/fire the head of the @ok_hca, @okladoc, @ok_oja, @odmhsasinfo and @OKDot.

Says “By granting the governor hiring authority, you will know exactly where the buck stops – at my desk.”

On other gov't reforms: Stitt says wants to remove board members across state govt that have conflicts of interest, sunset/consolidate boards/commissions and continue performance audits of state agencies (funded by recalling some of $30M given to health dept last year) #okleg

Now onto Education: Stitt says “Over the next few years, we will move the needle in outcomes. We will set high standards. We will enact reforms. We will invest in the classroom.” #okleg #oklaed

Gov. Stitt says he is proposing a $1,200 raise for teachers (costing ~$70M) and funding a bonus recruitment program (costing $5M) to attract/retain teachers

(This is significantly below @okea's ask for $3,000 teacher raise, $2,500 support staff raise and $150M for schools)

Stitt on education: “We must also look at ways to better stabilize the funding of public education.”

Says state needs to review/reform funding formula and this “demands a reimagining of school districts” (a possible reference to district consolidation) #okleg #oklaed

Now onto criminal justice.

Stitt: To move the needle, it will require us to change the way we see the person who is in a cycle of incarceration for non-violent crimes (prompting applause from lawmakers) #okleg #criminaljustice

Stitt’s says his criminal justice reforms include:
- $1.5M to Women in Recovery
-$10M to the County Community Safety Investment Fund
-Licensing reforms for felons
- More opportunities to Oklahomans re-entering society to find jobs and giving employers discretion on who to hire

.@GovStitt's budget doesn’t include raises for Department of Corrections staff, but he says “as revenue continues to improve, I urge us to consider ways we can better improve their work conditions and compensation.”

Now onto healthcare. @GovStitt says his budget includes using state money to replace the loss of federal money for the Graduate Medical Expense Program ($62M) and the Children Health Insurance Program ($14.8M)

More @GovStitt on decision not to expand Medicaid: “The estimated $150M price tag today for Oklahoma to expand Medicaid could leave us down the road fronting more than $1B when the federal government pulls back on its commitment. They’ve done it before and they will do it again.”

On taxes: @GovStitt says "Let’s now move to the economy. In order to make our efforts in state government sustainable, we must first grow Oklahoma. We need more taxpayers, not more taxes." #okleg

.@GovStitt announcing another #okleg request: Wants more money for the Quick Actin Closing Fund (used to offer incentives to companies expanding/relocating here). Stitt notes only $4.3M in now in the fund … says Texas, Arkansas are much bigger spenders

On his budget, Stitt said he chose to address more than $230M in obligation and $151M in “critical needs” instead of across the board increases with surplus revenues #okleg

.@GovStitt: My budget casts a bold goal for our state’s savings account.

Says he wants $1.1B in saving by the end of the year.

(With $874M in the rainy-day fund, this will require saving $250M instead of spending it) #okleg

.@GovStitt finishing up his State of the State: "As I close, let us remember, the future doesn’t just happen. We make it happen.

As public servants, our responsibility and purpose are to ensure a better future for all four million Oklahomans."