Next question: Balance free speech and religious freedom in schools?
Fisher: Stop feds and states have too much power in schools. Let districts run their schools. Return control to the people.
Joe Exotic: People in those schools should have the say. Notes difference in local standards in rural, city schools and let people at those schools decide.
Barnett: Free speech is just that. If someone wants to pray, they should be free to do that. But also shouldn't be forced to if you don't want to. Take government out of schools.
Jones: Leave it to local school boards.
Powell: Free expression of students needs to be protected, but staff also needs to know not to indoctrinate students that parents wouldn't want.
Edmondson: Students have a right to pray: at flagpole and before and after school. What's prohibited is teacher, principal or school board telling them what to pray. As long as there's algebra, there'll be prayer in schools.
Lawhorn: Rights are inherent and shouldn't be infringed upon. First 2 amendments to Constitution are fundamental. They are sacrosanct and can not be infringed by anybody.
Stephens: Students should be able to practice their religion. Students spend more time with teachers, support staff, principals a lot of time more than than their family. Staff should be aware of that, too.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
Next question: Studies show benefits of early childhood education. What is your view on this and how do you prioritize?
Lawhorn: Focus on age 3-5 and recognize their strengths and weaknesses. Put more into the system by cuttting number of superintendents.
Stephens: We cut education down to the bone. What do you expect? Make education No. 1 in your state. Early childhood is the foundation. You can't cut corners, or it will come back to haunt you.
New question: What can governor do to enhance open meetings, open records.
Edmondson: Wants Legislature subject to the act. Wants an ombudsman in gov office to call for help in open govt.
Lawhorn: Also need transparency in local and county offices. Apply the law to all levels of govt.
Stephens: We need 100 percent transparency. Honesty and integrity in office.
Next question: Should marijuana be decriminalized?
Powell: Vote for medical marijuana state question, SQ 788. But too many people are in criminal justice system on drug offenses.
Edmondson: Difference between decriminalize and legalize. We already took a step toward decriminalization in 2016 state question on criminal justice reform.
Lawhorn: Not much difference between smoking a plant and a nip of whiskey. Too many people in prison on drugs.
Stephens: Move toward decriminalize, but also need to protect public. Need blood tests for fatality wrecks involving drugs.
Next question: Recent legislation focused on adoption and religion. How does your interpretation of 1st Amendment address religious liberty.
Jones: We need to focus on the children.
Powell: We have a lack of foster and adoptive parents. We have freedom of religion and orgs have right to operate as they choose, but they don't have right to do that on public dollar.
Edmondson: My understanding is that the bill allows private agencies to stay private, but they can't do it with public money.
Lawhorn: Govt. can't discriminate for any reason. End of question. But if private org wants to limit, they can but it can't be affiliated with govt.
Next question: How would you make sure Oklahoma schools are safe?
Barnett: Fully support 2nd Amendment. Make sure teachers are able to support students.
Jones: Educators should be properly trained if they carry firearms.
Powell: Our schools are safe, and we need to stop scaring folks. Points out more accidental deaths than mass shootings.
Edmondson: Don't think guns in schools is a good idea. If SWAT team comes in, how do you know who is supposed to have a gun? Secure the entrances.
Next question: OK economy is expanding, but many residents don't have skills. What are best ways to connect jobs with people.
Joe Exotic: Where I'm from, the economy isn't exactly booming. People can't get a ride to work. Big difference between city economies and rural economies. Teach people to function as normal human beings first before asking what business wants.
Barnett: Talks about hard time finding people to work because some are just applying to jobs in order to keep unemployment benefits.