Thread by @GovStitt

The state of our state is growing in strength, stability & new opportunity for generations to come. We are moving in the direction we all want to go: Top Ten in the Nation! #OklaSOTS20 #OkTopTen

It's because of the hard work of entrepreneurs, dedication of teachers, compassion of non-profits, community involvement of the churches, & state agencies that are willing to make the tough & selfless decisions for the future of our great state. #OklaSOTS20

Our State’s general revenue fund is estimated to be down almost 1% versus fiscal year 2020. But we have nothing to fear, so long as we remain vigilant in recognizing our needs, planning for our future & shedding waste where operations are outdated or redundant. #OklaSOTS20

The greatest challenge before us is not Oklahoma’s economy. The greatest challenge before us today is government bureaucracy. #OklaSOTS20

The fiscal discipline last year has allowed OK to garner its largest savings account in state history @ $1 billion. Thanks to our strong pension plans, low bond debt & progress in savings, OK is ranked as the 5th most solvent state in America. Let’s take this to #1!
#OklaSOTS20

Our unemployment rate remains below the national average. OK’s household income has ⬆️ by nearly 4% in 2019. Over 60 companies moved to our state or made significant expansions in Okla this past year, w/$2.9+ billion in new capital investments announced. #OklaSOTS20

In 2019, Oklahoma’s tourism website achieved a #1 ranking in web traffic, beating states like California & Colorado. Oklahomans, our economy is competitive & in this administration, we will keep it that way! #OklaSOTS20

I have found government too big & too broken. Our state spends roughly $20 billion annually. #okleg has a strong handle on the 40% managed through the appropriations process. Together, we provide oversight of the 60% that goes directly to state agencies. #OklaSOTS20

When the #okleg gave me control to reform 5 of our state’s largest agencies, we delivered the strongest accountability in state history. #OklaSOTS20

This action strengthened our budgeting oversight. Time & time again, agencies would ask for more money as the solution. But I’m here to tell you it’s not all about funding. It’s about focus. It’s about leadership. #OklaSOTS20

#okleg reforms have allowed me to go recruit the best talent, to break down silos between agencies & to deliver a budget that is results-oriented & addresses today’s needs. When good policy meets the right leadership, anything is possible! #OklaSOTS20

Just look at what transpired in 2019 between two key agencies between the Pardon and Parole Board (PPB) and @OklaDOC. #OklaSOTS20

PPB consolidated its investigators with @OklaDOC, streamlining the workload and increasing its case work by 118% over 2018. They did this without a single dollar more. #OklaSOTS20

@OklaDOC The @OklaDOC launched its first-ever re-entry fairs across 28 facilities for individuals that are 6-months from their release dates, an idea that originated from the @OKFirstLady & a program that will become a permanent practice as the agency. #OklaSOTS20

@OklaDOC @OKFirstLady The number of Oklahomans in our state prisons declined by 7.6% bringing the number of those incarcerated to the lowest level since 2009. This is reducing the strain on our prison facilities, giving us the opportunity to reimagine the future of housing inmates. #OklaSOTS20

It is now time to complete this successful consolidation effort. I'm calling for the #okleg to protect the Constitutional mandate for PPB appointments yet pass legislation that absorbs the remainder of the operations with @OklaDOC. #OklaSOTS20

@OklaDOC Collaboration is already taking place & it's time we make this official in law to prevent future bureaucracy from creeping back in.
#OklaSOTS20

@OklaDOC We must follow through because when government is working and unified under one vision, we can change the lives of Oklahomans for the better. Agency consolidation must not stop there. #OklaSOTS20

@OklaDOC Sec. Tim Gatz has done an exceptional job leading both the @OKDOT and the @OKTurnpike. He is beginning the process of combining all back office & common functions into one shared service entity for both agencies. #OklaSOTS20

We will maintain separate general management for unique functions of these agencies, while streamlining operations that are duplicative in nature so we can deliver the highest quality of transportation possible. #OklaSOTS20

We will operate with one, unifying vision for infrastructure as we continue to move towards Top Ten status. #OklaSOTS20

When Oklahoma is in crisis, it is most often our Office of Emergency Management that is at the center of restoring us back to normal. #OklaSOTS20

OEM has the ability to call upon whatever resource it needs to help Oklahoma’s communities prevent, respond, or recover from a major crisis. Homeland Security is a key part of that effort, proving valuable coordination to support our first responders.
#OklaSOTS20

By merging @okem & @OklahomaOHS, we will bolster response capabilities, streamline coordination & leverage existing resources for stronger prevention programs. #OklaSOTS20

As we prepare to recognize the 25th anniversary of the OKC bombing in April of this year, we must continue to set the standard for how to respond to & manage crisis when tested by tragedy. Oklahomans deserve it & this merger will help us achieve that goal. #OklaSOTS20

Consolidation is what we need to do to improve decision-making, deliver better accountability & target dollars directly towards helping our citizens instead of paying for administrative bloat. #OklaSOTS20

OK has the 9th most state agencies out of all 50 states. There is no value to having more agencies than other states; it has not solved our Bottom Ten rankings in critical categories. #OklaSOTS20

As we reduce bureaucracy, we must also provide necessary relief and enhanced opportunities for our dedicated public employees. Thank you to @Sen_GregTreat & Rep. Osburn for leading the decision on this. #OklaSOTS20

@Sen_GregTreat The state’s current civil service program is outdated. High quality employees are forced into a system that doesn’t maximize their professional growth and potential. Agency leaders have their hands tied in who they can hire & promote due to outdated restrictions. #OklaSOTS20

@Sen_GregTreat Today, I'm calling for reform that requires all new hires in state government, moving forward, to be unclassified. #OklaSOTS20

I'm requesting language that allows agency directors discretion to offer bonuses for employees to receive a promotion out of their restricted classified positions. I'm casting a vision for the majority of the State’s workforce to be unclassified in the next 5 years. #OklaSOTS20

As part of civil service reform, I am calling for a 3-person panel in the Human Capital Management Department to maintain whistle blower protections & to provide due process to state employees who have serious grievances, whether these employees are classified or not. #OklaSOTS20

Let’s make the state’s largest employer a place where we can hire the best. Where we reward good performers & where we are building a training ground for an exceptional workforce that can transition beyond public service if they so choose. #OklaSOTS20

With a long-term focus on state agency reform, we will lay a new, stronger foundation. Any policy that is sent to my desk to further this effort will be signed. This is how we will actually get the tax dollar directly back to the citizen - through better services. #OklaSOTS20

One of the most significant areas where we need reform is health care. We will push the limits of innovation and set up a program for able-bodied individuals to use SoonerCare 2.0 as a true trampoline to their future. #OklaSOTS20

With HAO flexibility, we will deliver personal responsibility to new enrollees. We will seek to establish moderate premiums and work requirements that encourage Oklahomans to transition towards a path that advances their full personal potential. #OklaSOTS20

The time is now to innovate, to focus on outcomes, and to making Oklahoma a national leader in the delivery of healthcare. #OklaSOTS20

State Auditor Cindy Byrd is in the middle of auditing our Medicaid rolls, a request I filed last year. She expects to be done this spring, allowing us to address abuse in the system & ensure that the reformed SoonerCare 2.0 will truly help those who need it the most #OklaSOTS20

To improve the delivery of health care, we must also move forward on significant reforms in the operations of our state health & human services agencies. #OklaSOTS20

Did you know that OK has 10 different state agencies pass money through the Medicaid program & 18 state entities that license health care facilities and providers? Operating that many bureaucracies is not an efficient way of doing business, and it has to change. #OklaSOTS20

This is why I am calling for the Legislature to begin the process of creating one central health care agency. #OklaSOTS20

The path to OK’s future prosperity will continue through our classrooms. Our mission will be achieved by promoting the profession of teaching & focusing on students’ advancements & opportunities. #OklaSOTS20

We must continue to recruit the best teachers & confront our teacher shortage. I support legislation that would direct the @oksde to issue a teaching certificate to anyone who holds a valid out-of-state teaching certification. #OklaSOTS20

@oksde This year, it's also important we get across the finish line proven solutions to enhance opportunities for students. Because we believe in all students & helping them succeed, I'm also launching a program this year called Jobs for America’s Gradates. #OklaSOTS20

@oksde While we are on the topic of #oklaed, let me take a brief moment to address one critical matter. In 2019, 1.3% of the #oklaed funding came from the State’s exclusivity fees on Class III games. (~$130M compared to #oklaed total taxpayer funding of $9.7B) #OklaSOTS20

The Model Gaming Compacts have been a success, greater than anyone predicted. Unfortunately, we have an expired Model Gaming Compact, a compact in which notable tribes have previously called “dated” and “unsuitable” for current and future business.
#OklaSOTS20

After 5 offers from the State for all stakeholders to come together to modernize the Model Gaming Compact, three tribes instead sued the State on New Year’s Eve. #OklaSOTS20

While we wait for the federal court’s decision, I am calling for #okleg to join me in protecting #oklaed. I am asking for legislation that will allow the remaining cash balance from 2019 & funds from the Revenue Stabilization Fund to be leveraged, if needed.
#OklaSOTS20

As Governor, I remain supportive of the sovereignty of the State of Oklahoma and our right – and your duty as the Legislature – to oversee all industries operating in the State. #OklaSOTS20

I also remain confident the State and Oklahoma’s tribes can hammer out a compromise that is a win-win for all four million Oklahomans, and we can accomplish this without putting public education in the crosshairs. #OklaSOTS20

We need more taxpayers, not more taxes. Everything we do has a dotted line back to growing our economy. It's why my budget calls for the funding of the Closing Fund by another $3M & $200M financing plan. #OklaSOTS20

OK has moved from #49th to #13th in bridge conditions within 15 years & while we work towards Top Ten in this critical category, we are going to start moving the needle on our ranking of Super-two roads & pavement quality. #OklaSOTS20

Oklahoma is the crossroads of America & our roads are key to attracting future job creators whether it is to Altus, Enid, Broken Bow or in the heart of Tulsa. #OklaSOTS20

Today, I'm also filing an executive order to address OK’s excessive red tape on job creators. This will call for the first-ever comprehensive review of the code & will instruct agencies to remove 2 regulations for every new 1 created. #OklaSOTS20

The intent is to reduce red tape by 25% in the next 3 years, providing relief to Oklahomans opening and building businesses & to continue to recruit more job creators to our great state. #OklaSOTS20

This year let’s get universal licensing recognition across the finish line too. We can continue to make progress on economic prosperity when we remove unnecessary & antiquated barriers to entry. #OklaSOTS20

OK is competing. OK is winning. OK is undergoing the Turnaround that voters demanded. It may not be comfortable at times. It demands hard decisions and boldness. #OklaSOTS20

It requires long-term planning & commitment to one vision. But we are making inroads that will last for generations. That will make us stronger, more prosperous, & a Top Ten state. #OklaSOTS20 #OklaProud