Gov. Kevin Stitt kicked off the second general session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature with his final State of the State address Monday, Feb. 2, at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City.
In his eighth address to the legislature and the people of Oklahoma, Stitt recounted his administration’s efforts throughout his two terms as governor and his vision for his final year in office, including a three-fold approach to reduce governmental regulations, protect the vulnerable and secure Oklahoma’s future.
Stitt’s call for reducing regulations was a welcome announcement for Oklahoma’s farming and ranching community, as keeping governmental regulations and overreach at bay allows farmers and ranchers to do what they do best: providing a safe and abundant food supply for their fellow Oklahomans and fellow Americans.
Stitt also called for a freeze in property tax growth across the board in the state, garnering applause from throughout the chamber. The move would be advantageous for farmers and ranchers who cultivate and care for acres upon acres of farmland and pastureland to meet the needs of our growing population, and who have simultaneously been faced with severely rising input costs in recent years.
The governor also addressed Oklahoma’s medical marijuana industry, calling it one of the greatest threats to public safety in the state. He pushed for the elimination of marijuana in Oklahoma entirely, citing the sheer volume of illicit, fly-by-night activity hidden behind the façade of medical marijuana grow operations and dispensaries.
Stitt called for reunification in a state divided by the 2018 McGirt Supreme Court decision, which designated nearly half of the state’s land area as a tribal reservation. The ruling has raised numerous judicial and jurisdictional challenges for both law enforcement and non-tribal citizens in eastern Oklahoma since the court’s decision nearly a decade ago.
Stitt also spoke of Oklahoma’s growing business economy and commended entrepreneurs and Oklahoma’s business owners for having a vision and taking the risks required to run a successful business. Oklahoma Farm Bureau members understand the importance of a thriving business ecosystem, especially in the most rural areas of the state.
Throughout his speech, Stitt assured listeners that the state of Oklahoma is the strongest it has ever been, citing a continued low unemployment rate, a hefty budgetary savings account and a welcome environment for people and businesses looking to call Oklahoma home.
As Stitt begins his final year as governor of Oklahoma, he encouraged listeners to continue the forward momentum and ensure the state of Oklahoma remains a vibrant place for years to come.
