Drive excellence in education.
Continue to make Oklahoma the most business-friendly state in the nation.
Protect Oklahomans and promote freedoms.
Those are the three goals Governor Kevin Stitt set out in his 5th State of the State speech on Monday.
“Every child deserves a quality education that fits their unique needs, regardless of economic status, or background. Let’s fund students, not systems. Let’s create more schools, not fewer schools,” said Stitt.
Stitt set out several initiatives for education. The Governor is proposing the creation of Education Savings Accounts, sometimes referred to as, school vouchers. He’s also suggesting performance-based pay raises for teachers which is what State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters has proposed instead of an across the board raise for educators. Stitt proposed started an Innovation School Fund to help start more schools like the Aviation Academy in Norman. Additionally, he wants to expand reading initiatives to get students to grade level and expanding concurrent enrollment.
“Oklahoma cannot afford to be left behind. Because our greatest asset isn’t our oil and gas. It’s not our football teams. It’s not the aerospace and defense industry. It’s our kids,” Stitt concluded as he wrapped up his education proposals during the speech.
Turning to making the state more business friendly, Stitt is looking to bring more focus to energy, infrastructure, workforce development, and tax policy.
Stitt is seeking to create opportunities for Oklahoma in the hydrogen space, which is a developing energy supply.
He wants more investment in infrastructure, which includes broadband.
Stitt issued a challenge to Oklahoma’s two major universities.
“Let’s make sure our universities and higher education are partnering with companies to train the workforce of tomorrow.
“I want to challenge OU and OSU to grow and deliver a quality education to 40,000 students by 2030,” said Stitt.
The Governor also took a shot at diversity efforts on college campuses.
“Because when we send our kids to college, we expect our tuition to pay for their education, not their indoctrination!
“I want our universities to have less DEI officers and more career placement counselors,” Stitt said.
Stitt reintroduced his challenge to lower taxes for Oklahomans.
“Let’s cut taxes!
“In my executive budget I am proposing to eliminate Oklahoma’s state grocery tax and reduce our personal income tax rate to 3.99%,” Stitt added.
Stitt added that he is ready to push back on federal government overreach.
“Protecting Oklahomans means standing up for our values and our way of life.
“Whether it’s the preposterous vaccine mandate for our National Guard, The ESG attack on affordable domestic energy delivered by our oil and gas industry, or protecting Oklahomans Second Amendment rights, we will always fight back against the federal overreach from Washington!
“Protecting Oklahomans means fully funding our law enforcement,” Stitt declared.
Stitt promoted criminal justice reform and said more help will be coming in the form of the Sarah Stitt Act 2.0.
Stitt then turned to the foster care system and added that more needed to be done to keep families together.
Stitt wrapped up the outline of his agenda by asking the Legislature to ban underage transgender treatments.
“We shouldn’t allow a minor to get a permanent gender altering surgery in Oklahoma.
“That’s why I am calling on the Legislature to send me a bill that bans all gender transition surgeries and hormone therapies on minors in the state!
“As governor, I will never shy away from calling out right from wrong.
“I will not be intimidated by partisan interest groups or make decisions based on groupthink,” said Stitt.
Just outside the House Chamber a large crowd of transgender community members and supporters had gathered to protest against the move to limit transgender treatments in Oklahoma.
Senate Minority Leader Kay Floyd echoed those protesting the Governor’s call.
“We are gravely disappointed that the governor and his colleagues continue to attack Oklahomans’ access to the healthcare they need and the right of patients and doctors to choose what’s best for themselves.
“Our caucus will continue to work diligently to improve the lives of Oklahomans in a meaningful way. I sincerely hope the governor and our colleagues in the Legislature will join us in that effort,” said Floyd in a statement after the State of the State speech concluded.
However, Stitt’s speech played well with Majority Leadership.
“The governor outlined numerous priorities that will continue our state’s positive momentum. His clear vision and attainable results are focused on making Oklahoma the best place possible for everyone to succeed, while improving our economy and standing in the global market. Improving public education outcomes, tax reform and work force development are all high priorities for Senate Republicans this year. We look forward to working with the governor on these important areas and more. I am optimistic about this year and believe we will have success together to benefit Oklahoma,” said Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat.
“In today’s State of the State speech, Gov. Stitt laid out an ambitious plan for Oklahoma. The House has been proactively addressing many of the issues Gov. Stitt identified as priorities, and we are ready to work with our colleagues in the Senate and executive branch as we craft 
legislation that provides benefits for all Oklahomans,” said House Speaker Charles McCall.
