Weekly Opinion Editorial
PAIN OF REGRET!
by Steve Fair
Stitt stated
goals in 2025 are to, (1) protect Oklahoma taxpayers, (2) make Oklahoma the
best in the U.S. to do business, (3) safeguard state’s revenue reserve, (4)
defend the Oklahoma way of life. Stitt began the speech by reciting a laundry
list of ‘accomplishments’ during his six years as governor and then exhorted
the legislature to support his agenda.
Quoting
Winston Churchill, the governor said, “the price of greatness is responsibility.” “That means sacrificing now for future
benefit. The reality is there is going
to be pain either way- the pain of disciple now, or the pain of regret later,”
Stitt said.
Stitt said
he would cooperate with the Trump administration in deporting illegal aliens
who have committed crimes. He supports
students not having access to cell phones while in school and proclaimed his
support of school choice. “The
government shouldn’t stand in the way of a parent’s right to educate their
children in line with their values,” Stitt said.
Citing a recurrent theme Stitt has parroted since he started
campaigning for guv back in 2018, he said: “I am committed to having fewer state
employees at the end of my term than when I took office in 2019.” Stitt
said. He also announced the creation of DOGE-OK to identify waste, fraud and
corruption in state government. He also
wants to cut taxes. Three observations:
First, Oklahoma
has an office to find waste, fraud and corruption. The State Auditor and Inspector is an elected
official given that responsibility by the state constitution. An ad hoc committee of private citizens
should not circumvent an elected official’s duties. During the gubernatorial campaign of 2018,
Stitt promised to use the Auditor’s office to “audit everything not nailed
down.” Phrases like that resonate
with Republicans during an election, but are often forgotten by elected
officials after they take office.
Oklahoma doesn’t need an unaccountable to the citizens DOGE when they
have the SA&I. Use the constitutionally
created office and stop the grandstanding!
Second,
Oklahomans are overdue for a tax cut.
Stitt pointed out that bordering states are cutting their state income
tax rate and have lower rates than the Sooner state. Oklahoma state government has been collecting
much more than they need to operate, which has resulted in record rainy day
funds. Like a kid sent to the store with
money, but never gives the change back to his parent, state government has been
keeping the change. It’s time for the taxpayer
to keep more of their money.
Third, Oklahoma
government should help all businesses. Economic
development doesn’t just mean recruiting new business. It involves helping existing businesses grow
and prosper. Often the zeal to recruit a
new business hurts an existing business.
As the old saying goes: “dance with the one who brought you.”
Stitt’s consistently
stated goal since his campaign of 2018 until now has been to, ‘make Oklahoma a
top ten state.’ Every speech or talk includes
the same talking points: cutting taxes, rightsizing government, and making the
state business friendly- so far unfulfilled campaign promises.
Stitt should unleash the SA&I on state government to do performance audits, cut hardworking Oklahomans tax burden, and help existing Oklahoma businesses (not just oil and gas). That will help Okies avoid the pain of regret!
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