>>WE INTERRUPT THIS PROGRAM TO BRING YOU GOVERNOR KEVIN STITTS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS LIVE FROM THE OKLAHOMA STATE CAPITOL MEMBERS AND GUESTS, WELCOME TO THE FIRST JOINT SESSION OF THE SECOND REGULAR SESSION OF THE 59th OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE.

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, MATT PINNELL TO PRESIDE OVER THE JOINT SESSION.

[APPLAUSE] >> WELCOME, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND HONORED GUESTS.

IT'S MY DISTINCT PRIVILEGE TO CALL THE FIRST JOINT SESSION OF THE SECOND REGULAR SESSION OF THE 59th OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE TO ORTD.

SENATOR MCCOURT ANY, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR A MOTION.

>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, AND I MOVE THE ATTENDANCE ROLL CALL OF THE SENATE BE CONSIDERED THE ROLL CALL OF THE SENATE IN JOINT SESSION.

>> YOU HEARD THE MOTION.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

ALL OPPOSED NAYS.

>> I MOVE THE ATTENDANCE ROLL CALL OF THE HOUSE BE CONSIDERED THE ROLL CALL OF THE HOUSE IN JOINT MOTION.

>> YOU HEARD THE MOTION.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

THOSE OPPOSED NAY.

I DECLARE A QUORUM OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE PRESENT IN THE JOINT SESSION OF THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE DULY ASSEMBLED.

SERVING AS OUR CHAPLAIN FOR JOINT SESSION IS HOUSE CHAPLAIN PASTOR JOE HARTER.

WITH MEMBERS OF THE GUESTS PLEASE RISE IF YOU ARE ABLE FOR THE INVOCATION.

FOLLOWING THE INVOCATION, REMAIN STANDING FOR THE POSTING OF THE COLORS BY THE CHOCTAW HIGH SCHOOL AIR FORCE CENTER ROTC.

>> THANK YOU, MR.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

WOULD YOU PLEASE PRAY AS I PRAY FOR YOU IN MINE.

HEAVENLY FATHER I THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF THIS NEW DAY.

THIS NEW SEASON AND THESE CHOSEN SERVANTS WHO LEAD US.

WE TRUST YOUR HAND HAS BEEN UPON EACH OF THEIR LIVES AND EACH BRINGS SKILL, PERSPECTIVE AND CONVICTION TO THEIR TASK.

TODAY MARKS THE START OF SOMETHING NEW.

PREPARE US ALL AS WE HEAR VISION AND DIRECTION FOR OUR STATE.

I PRAY FOR GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT AS HE SPEAKS TO US AND OUR STATE TODAY.

GRANT TO HIM AN EXTRA PORTION OF YOUR GRACE AND PRESENCE, STRENGTH AND WISDOM.

PROTECT HIS FAMILY, THEIR HOME AND LIVES AS T T T T T T T T T P RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS YEAR PULL ON HIM.

I PRAY FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MATT PINNELL AND FOR EVERY MEMBER OF THE GOVERNOR'S ADMINISTRATION WHO SERVE, AGENCIES LEADING THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE SERVING MILLIONS OF OKLAHOMANS EACH AND EVERY DAY.

TODAY ALSO MARKS THE SEASON THAT IS EARNING, LEADERSHIP OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE TRANSITIONS.

GOD, I THANK YOU FOR SPEAKER CHARLES MCCALL, FOR HIS FRIENDSHIP TO SO MANY ACROSS THIS ROOM AND BEYOND, AND I PRAY FOR PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG TREAT.

I THANK YOU FOR THE LEADERSHIP THEY HAVE AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE IN OUR LEGISLATURE.

GOD, WE DON'T HAVE TO LOOK FAR AROUND US TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE IT MAKES WHEN A LEADER STEPS THEIR FOCUS TO RUN THEIR RACE TO THE END, TO RUN IT FULLY AND TO RUN IT WELL.

I PRAY FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY THE TREATS TODAY.

INSPIRE AND PROTECT THEM AS THEY LEAD THE HOUSE AND SENATE THIS YEAR.

LORD, I LIFT UP THE HOUSE AND SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS, REPRESENTATIVE CINDY MUNN SON AND SENATOR KAY FLOYD.

GIVE EACH GRACE SUFFICIENT FOR THE DAY AND SKILLFUL WISDOM IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

FATHER, FOR ALL WHO SERVE OUR STATE, OUR JUDICIARY, FOR THOSE ELECTED TO SERVE IN THIS CAPITOL, GOD, WE KNOW THE WORK DONE IN THIS SESSION MATTERS.

BEFORE THAT WORK BEGINS, I COMMIT TO YOU THE PEOPLE WHO'LL DO THAT WORK.

BLESS THEM, KEEP THEM, PROTECT THEM AND GUIDE THEM IN THE QUIET OF THIS MOMENT.

GOD, REMIND US THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DESIRE, NO PLAN WE CAN DEVISE OR STRENGTH WE CAN MUSTER THAT COMPARES TO THE WONDERFUL AND PERFECT PLAN YOU HAVE.

YOU CAN DO MORE THAN WE ASK OR IMAGINE.

GOD, FOR EACH ONE THIS SESSION, I PRAY THAT WE NEED MORE AND NOT LESS WISDOM FROM OUR LEADERS, MORE AND NOT LESS PATIENCE AND PEACE, MORE AND NOT LESS INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY, MORE AND NOT LESS INTEGRITY, CONFIDENCE, BELIEF AND HOPE IN THE FUTURE FOR ALL IN OKLAHOMA.

TO THE GOD OF THE AGES, I PRAY AMEN.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

>> YOU MAY BE SEATED.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE STAND AND RECOGNIZE THE OFFICERS OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH IN AND OUR STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

[APPLAUSE] YOU MAY NOW BE SEATED.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT IS MY DISTINCT PLEASURE TO ANNOUNCE THE ARRIVAL OF REPRESENTATIVES OF EACH OF OUR STATEWIDE COURTS.

PLEASE STAND AS YOU ARE ABLE, AS THE HOUSE SERGEANT OF ARMS ESCORTS THE JUDGE OF CIVIL PEALTSDZ, LED BY JUDGE BARNES, LED BY PRESIDING SCOTT ROLAND AND THE JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURTS LED BY CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN CAIN INTO THE CHAMBER.

[APPLAUSE] YOU MAY BE SEATED.

YOU MAY BE SEATED.

SENATOR MCCORTNEY, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR A MOTION.

>> MR. PRESIDENT, I MOVE THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE APPOINT MEMBERS FROM THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE RESPECTIVELY AS A JOINT COMMITTEE TO NOTIFY THE GOVERNOR THAT THE SECOND REGULAR SESSION OF THE 59th OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE IS ASSEMBLED IN JOINT SESSION AND READY TO RECEIVE HIM AND HEAR HIS MESSAGE.

>> AS PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE I'M APPOINTING THE FOLLOWING SENATORS TO SERVE ON THE GOVERNOR'S ESCORT COMMITTEE.

DOM, MATTHEWS, SPEAKER MCCALL POINTS THE FOLLOWING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HOUSE.

REPRESENTATIVE JOHN ECHOLS, MARK MCBRIDE AND TERRY O'DONNELL.

THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES SENATE SERGEANT OF ARMS ADAM CAIN FOR AN ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> MR. PRESIDENT, THE JOINT COMMITTEE FROM THE HOUSE AND SENATE, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, THE GOVERNOR, THE HONORABLE KEVIN STITT.

[APPLAUSE] MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, TRIBAL LEADERS, MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY AND PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA, IT'S MY DISTINCT HONOR TO RECOGNIZE MY FRIEND, OUR GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU.

THANKS A LOT.

THANK YOU.

THANKS SO MUCH.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MATT PINNELL, MR. SPEAKER, MR. PRESIDENT PRO TEM, MEMBERS OF THE 59TH LEGISLATURE, MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY, STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIAL THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR GREAT STATE.

TRIBAL LEADERS, TO MY CABINET MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE STATE.

SUCH AN HONOR TO SERVE WITH YOU.

TO MY WIFE SARAH, THE GREATEST FIRST LADY IN THE COUNTRY, TO MY CHILDREN WHO ARE WITH ME TODAY AND MY SON-IN-LAW, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, MY FELLOW OKLAHOMANS, FIRST OFF, I WANT TO GIVE THANKS TO MY HEAVENLY FATHER FOR ALLOWING ME TO SERVE IN THIS POSITION AND FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS THAT HE HAS FOR OUR GREAT STATE.

IT'S MY HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY TO GIVE MY SIXTH STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

I'M SURE SOME OF YOU ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT BECAUSE IT MEANS YOU ONLY HAVE TO LISTEN TO ME TWO MORE TIMES.

AS WE BEGIN THIS SESSION, I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THE STATE OF OUR STATE IS THE STRONGEST IT'S EVER BEEN.

[APPLAUSE] AS PART OF OUR SUCCESSION, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE BEFORE WE GET STARTED, LAWSUIT GOVERNOR MATT PINNELL, PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG TREAT, SPEAKER CHARLES MCCALL FOR ALL THE HARD WORK THAT THEY HAVE DONE OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

[APPLAUSE] NEVER IN OKLAHOMA HISTORY HAVE THE SAME FOUR ELECTED OFFICIAL SERVED TOGETHER FOR ALL SIX YEARS.

WE HAVEN'T ALWAYS AGREED, BUT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED A GREAT DEAL WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA.

SO PROUD TO WORK WITH YOU GUYS.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU IN THIS ROOM FOR THE WORK YOU PUT IN ON BEHALF OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

WE CAN'T DO ANY OF THIS ON OUR OWN.

IN 1 CORINTHIANS 12:14, PAU TALKS IM THE BODY OF CHRIST.

HE'S TALKING ABOUT REFERRING TO THE CHURCH, BUT I THINK THE LESSONS ALSO APPLY HERE IN THIS BUILDING.

WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO ACCOMPLISH AND MOVE OUR STATE FORWARD.

AS WE FIGHT FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THOSE WHO ENTRUSTED US WITH LEADERSHIP, THERE WILL BE CHALLENGES, BUT WE CAN FAC THOSE CHALLENGES WITH A VISION OF HOPE.

HOPE COMES FROM NEIGHBORS WALKING WITH NEIGHBORS, AND CHURCHES AND COMMUNITIES COMING ALONGSIDE THOSE WHO ARE HURTING.

WE ARE BLESSED IN OKLAHOMA TO HAVE PEOPLE WHO BRING HOPE TO THOSE WHO ARE IN SOME OF THE MOST HOPELESS SITUATIONS.

TODAY I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT GAIL AND MIKE PRIEST.

THEY ARE FOUNDERS OF THE 99 PLUS 1 FOUNDATION.

THEY RENOVATED AN OLD NURSING HOME INTO A HOME FOR YOUNG WOMEN AGING OUT OF THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.

THEIR GUIDING SCRIPTURE IS MATTHEW 18:14 - "EVEN SO, IT IS NOT THE WILL OF YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN, THAT ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES SHOULD PERISH."

THEY TRULY HAVE A HEART FOR THE LORD AND THEY ARE TEACHING YOUNG WOMEN THAT THEIR FUTURE CAN BE BETTER THAN THEIR PRESENT.

THE WOMEN THEY CARE FOR ARE SOME OF THE MOST AT-RISK FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

SEND ME LEGISLATION THAT FURTHER PROTECTS OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS FROM THOSE WHO SEEK EXPLOIT THEM.

WE HAVE GAIL AND MIKE.

THEY ARE HERE WITH US TODAY.

AND WE ARE SO PROUD TO HAVE YOU IN OUR STATE.

WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND UP.

[APPLAUSE] WE KNOW HOPE IS NOT A SPEECH OR A GOVERNMENT PROGRAM.

THAT'S WHY WE STARTED BEANEIGHBOR.ORG, TO CONNECT PEOPLE IN NEED TO CHURCHES AND NONPROFITS IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

HOPE IS A SCIENCE THAT CAN BE TAUGHT, AND HOPE EMERGES WHEN YOU CAN SEE A PATH FORWARD.

I'M GRATEFUL TO MY WIFE SARAH WHO STARTED HOPE RISING OKLAHOMA.

BECAUSE OF HER EFFORTS TO HIGHLIGHT AND TEACH THE SCIENCE OF HOPE, OKLAHOMA IS THE NATION'S FIRST HOPE-CENTERE STATE, AND NOW PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE STARTING TO TAKE NOTICE.

THANK YOU, SARAH, STANDING WITH ME FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS AND BEING SUCH AN INSPIRATION TO SO MANY OKLAHOMANS.

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.

HOPE COMES FROM HARD WORK, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT WE ARE DESIGNED BY OUR CREATOR TO WORK TO PROVIDE FOR OUR FAMILIES AND CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY.

IT COMES FROM TEACHING OUR YOUN PEOPLE THAT THEIR FUTURE CAN BE BRIGHT, AND YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING YOU SET YOUR MIND TO DO.

SO WHAT IS OUR JOB AS STATE LEADERS?

TO CREATE MORE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, OR TO GET GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE WAY?

EXCESSIVE GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO LOOK TO GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS INSTEAD OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

THERE'S A SCHOOL OF THOUGHT CALLED THE SUCCESS SEQUENCE THA OUTLINES THREE SIMPLE STEPS TO COMBAT POVERTY.

1, GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL; 2, GET A JOB; 3, GET MARRIED BEFORE HAVING KIDS.

THAT'S IT.

THOSE THREE THINGS ARE A SUREFIRE WAY TO KP FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY.

THAT'S WHY WE NEED STRONG FAMILIES TEACHING VALUES IN OKLAHOMA.

WE ARE LIVING IN THE MOST FATHERLESS GENERATION IN OUR HISTORY.

IN 1970, JUST 10% OF KIDS WERE BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK.

TODAY, THE STATISTIC IS STAGGERING.

NEARLY 40% OF KIDS ARE BORN TO SINGLE MOTHERS.

SINGLE MOTHERS ARE FIVE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE IN POVERTY THAN TWO PARENT FAMILIES.

WE KNOW THAT THE BEST PREVENTE OF POVERTY IS A MARRIED PARENT LIVING IN THE HOME.

SO WE BECAME THE FIRST STATE IN THE NATION TO DECLARE FAMILY MONTH THIS PAST NOVEMBER.

THAT'S THE CULTURE WE'RE PROMOTING HERE IN OKLAHOMA, AND WE KNOW IT WORKS.

[APPLAUSE] IN 2019, I ADDRESSED THIS BODY FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME, AND I LAID OUT A VISION TO MAKE OKLAHOMA TOP 10 IN EVERYTHING W DO.

I SAID THE OKLAHOMA TURN AROUND STARTS RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE WELL ON OUR WAY.

WE HAVE GOTTEN GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE WAY AND ALLOWED FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES TO THRIVE.

WE'VE REVOLUTIONIZED OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM, CREATING MORE OPTIONS FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS WHILE INVESTING MORE IN OUR TEACHERS AND PUBLIC EDUCATION THAN EVER BEFORE.

[APPLAUSE] WE'VE CUT EXCESSIVE REGULATIONS AND MADE IT EASIER FOR BUSINESSES TO NAVIGATE STATE GOVERNMENT.

SINCE THEN, IT HAS BECOME EVEN MORE CLEAR TO ME: GOVERNMEN IS NOT THE ANSWER.

[APPLAUSE] IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, WE'VE HAD RECORD REVENUE GROWTH, THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT, AND RECORD SAVINGS.

WE ARE TOP TEN IN REAL GDP GROWTH.

WE'RE NO.

6 IN LOWEST COST OF LIVING AND NO.

8 IN ENERGY AFFORDABILITY.

WE HAVE IN OKLAHOMA AN ENERGY ADVANTAGE BECAUSE WE ARE PROMOTING OUR BED ROCK INDUSTRIES OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS.

WE ARE ALSO PIONEERING NEW FORMS OF ENERGY, AND NOW WE ARE NO.

3 IN THE COUNTRY IN WIND ENERGY PRODUCTION.

WE ARE SECURING THE CRITICAL MINERAL SUPPLY CHAIN RIGHT HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

AND NOW WE ARE TOP TEN IN PEOPL MOVING TO THE GREAT STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

[APPLAUSE] PEOPLE ARE LOOKING TO OKLAHOMA AS THE EXAMPLE OF A SHINING CITY ON THE HILL.

I WANT EACH OF YOU TO TAKE A MOMENT AND CONSIDER WHAT IS POSSIBLE IN OKLAHOMA IN THE NEXT 20 YEARS, THE OKLAHOMA YOU WANT YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN TO LIVE IN.

DO WE WANT A STATE THAT IS STUCK IN A BOOM-TO-BUST CYCLE, OR DO WE WANT PROSPERITY AND GROWTH LIKE WE'VE EXPERIENCED OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS?

WHEN I STOP TO THINK ABOUT WHAT OKLAHOMA LOOKS LIKE IN 20 HEARS, HERE IS WHAT I SEE.

I SEE PEOPLE MOVING HERE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, SO THEY CAN KEEP MORE OF THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY THANKS TO OUR 0% INCOME TAX.

[APPLAUSE] I SEE ENTREPRENEURS FLOCKING HERE.

AND WE ARE THE BUSINESS HEADQUARTERS CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.

BECAUSE OF OUR ENERGY ADVANTAGE, WE ARE THE MANUFACTURING, THE AI AND THE DATA CENTER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.

OUR SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ARE TEACHING KIDS HOW TO THINK, NOT WHAT TO THINK.

AND STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ARE COMING TO OKLAHOMA TO TAKE PART IN THE FREE FLOW OF IDEAS.

OUR FLAGSHIP UNIVERSITIES HAVE EACH GROWN TO OVER 40,000 STUDENTS AND ARE THE PREMIER THINK TANKS IN THEIR FIELD.

I SEE OKLAHOMANS WHO TAKE SERIOUSLY THE COMMANDMENT TO CARE FOR THE WIDOW AND ORPHAN.

I SEE A STATE WHERE FAMILY VALUES ARE FOUNDATIONAL.

I SEE A STATE WHERE OUR COMMUNITIES ARE SAFE AND THE OKLAHOMA STANDARD IS ALIVE AND WELL AND OUR STATE IS THRIVING.

BUT WE CAN'T LET OUR SUCCESS MAKE US COMPLACENT AND FORGET WHAT MADE THE OKLAHOMA DREA POSSIBLE, WHICH IS FREE ENTERPRISE AND INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES, NOT MORE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS.

[APPLAUSE] LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, NOW IS OUR TIME TO SHINE.

IF WE ARE A TOP 10 STATE, ALL BOATS WILL RISE, EDUCATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, HEALTH OUTCOMES, AND QUALITY OF LIFE.

IT'S NOT THAT COMPLICATED.

THE ECONOMY IS GOING TO FOLLOW THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE.

OUR JOB IS TO MAKE OKLAHOMA THE STATE WHERE IT IS THE EASIEST TO START AND GROW A BUSINESS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW TO GET THERE.

TO ACCOMPLISH OUR VISION AND CREATE THE MOST BUSINESS FRIENDLY STATE WHERE FREEDOM AND OPPORTUNITY ABOUND FOR EVERY SINGLE PERSON, A TOP 10 STATE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME, WE NEED TO LIMIT THE GROWTH O GOVERNMENT WE CANNOT KEEP PUTTING MORE BURDENS ON OUR TAXPAYERS.

KEVIN O'LEARY FROM SHARK TANK CAME TO VISIT OKLAHOMA A COUPL WEEKS AGO.

AS HE EXPLORES PLACES TO MAKE NEW INVESTMENTS, HE SAID HE WOULD NEVER INVEST IN STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK BECAUSE OF THEIR OVER REGULATION AND THEIR TAXES OKLAHOMA HAS THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT HE IS LOOKING TO TAP INTO.

TO BE THE BEST STATE FOR BUSINESS AND ATTRACT TOP LEVEL CROWES, WE NEED TO KEEP PUSHING BUSINESS FRIENDLY POLICIES AND REDUCING BURDENSOME REGULATIONS.

I'M CALLING ON THE LEGISLATURE TO TAKE A PAGE OUT OF DELAWARE AND TEXAS' PLAYBOOK AND SET UP A SYSTEM OF COURTS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO ADDRESS BUSINESS DISPUTES.

BUSINESSES NEED ASSURANCE THAT DISPUTES WILL BE ADJUDICATED BY COURTS WITH EXPERTISE IN BUSINESS LAW.

NEXT, I'M CALLING ON OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO JOIN US IN THE EFFORT TO BE THE MOST BUSINESS FRIENDLY STATE IN THE NATION.

IF OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE LEVYING HUGE PERMITTING FEES OR DELAYING PROJECTS, IT WILL CHILL INVESTMENT AND CAUSE COMPANIES TO LOOK ELSEWHERE.

WE HAVE TO MATCH OUR COMPETITION IN DALLAS, KANSAS CITY, DENVER AND HOUSTON TO MAKE OKLAHOMA TH BUSINESS HEADQUARTERS CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP INVITING ENERGY COMPANIES TO COME HERE AND JOIN THE RANKS OF DEVON, WILLIAMS, CONTINENTAL, AND ONEOK.

WE WANT MORE RETAIL GIANTS LIKE HOBBY LOBBY, BRAUM'S, AND QUIKTRIP TO CALL OKLAHOMA HOME.

WE WANT TO KEEP BUILDING OUR AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE INDUSTRY, WITH COMPANIES LIKE AMERICAN AIRLINES, BOEING, AND LOCKHEED MARTIN.

WE WANT TO SECURE THE CRITICAL MINERAL SUPPLY CHAIN AND LOOSEN CHINA'S GRIP ON THESE TECHNOLOGIES.

[APPLAUSE] I KNOW WE CAN DO THAT RIGHT HERE FROM OUR BACKYARD.

WE ARE HAVE COMPANIES LIKE BLUE WHE, R RARE EARTH U.S.A. AND STAR BUST.

THEY ARE SETTING UP SHOP, AND THEY ARE PART OF THE CRITICAL MINERAL SUPPLY CHAIN WE NEED FOR OUR NATIONAL DEFENSE.

IF WE GET OUR REGULATIONS RIGHT, WITH OUR LOW COST OF ENERGY, CENTRAL LOCATION, AND STRONG WORKFORCE, OKLAHOMA IS THE PERFECT PLACE FOR NEW INDUSTRIES LOOKING FOR A HOME.

EACH NEW INDUSTRY IS PART OF SOMETHING GREAT IN OUR STATE.

IN OKLAHOMA WE SAY WE FEED THE WORLD, WE FUEL THE WORLD AND WE DEFEND FREEDOMS AROUND THE WORLD.

[APPLAUSE] BUT LET'S FIRST MAKE SURE WE HAVE A SUSTAINABLE GOVERNMENT BUDGET TO SOLIDIFY OUR PROSPERITY FOR YEARS TO COME.

LISTEN TO THIS.

NEW YORK HAS 19.8 MILLION PEOPLE, AND THEIR ANNUAL BUDGET IS $233 BILLION A YEAR.

FLORIDA, ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING STATES, IS BIGGER THAN NEW YORK WITH 22 MILLION PEOPLE.

THEIR ANNUAL BUDGET IS HALF THAT, ABOUT $116 BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.

FLORIDA DOESN'T HAVE AN INCOM TAX.

NEW YORK IS AT 10.9%.

LAST YEAR I CALLED ON THE LEGISLATURE TO CUT THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX FROM 4.75% TO 3.99%.

I CALLED THREE SPECIAL SESSIONS TO TRY AND GIVE OKLAHOMANS A PAY RAISE.

INSTEAD OUR REOCCURRING EXPENSES GREW LAST YEAR BY OVER 1.14 BILLION DOLLARS.

AND THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE ONE-TIME EXPENSES IKE ARPA I'M ASKING US ALL IF NOT NOW, THEN WHEN?

IN THE 1990'S, WE WERE AT 7% INCOME TAX.

SO I'M RENEWING MY CALL.

LET'S GET OKLAHOMA BACK ON THE PATH TO ZERO.

YOU'VE HEARD ME SAY YEAR AFTER YEAR, WE DON'T NEED MORE TAXES, WE NEED MORE TAXPAYERS.

[APPLAUSE] TWO YEARS AGO, WE CUT A QUARTER POINT FROM THE INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX AND WE LOWERED BUSINESS TAX BY TWO FULL PERCENTAGE POINTS.

SINCE THEN, REVENUE COLLECTIONS HAVE INCREASED BY $1.5 BILLION DOLLARS.

THAT'S BEEN THE TREND AFTER EVERY TAX CUT WE'VE PASSED.

SO I'LL SIGN ANY TAX CUT THAT COMES TO MY DESK.

BECAUSE AS WE HAVE GROWTH, IT SHOULD BE AUTOMATIC TO RETURN EXCESS TO THE TAXPAYERS, NOT TO SEEK OUT BIGGER GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS.

[APPLAUSE] IF MORE GOVERNMENT SPENDING WAS THE ANSWER, FLORIDA WOULD BE FALLING APART.

THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE.

IT'S STATES LIKE NEW YORK AND CALIFORNIA THAT ARE FALLING APART.

THEY ARE FACING HUGE MASSIVE BUDGET CRISIS, AND PEOPLE ARE MOVING HERE EVERY SINGLE DAY FROM STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA, BECAUSE THEY SEE OPPORTUNITY, AND THEY SEE FREEDOM.

THEY SEE THEY CAN KEEP MORE OF THEIR HARD-EARNED MONEY.

IT'S NOT TAX CUTS THAT WILL GET US IN TROUBLE.

IT'S THE UNRESTRICTED GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT.

THAT'S WHY I'M CALLING FOR FLAT BUDGETS ACROSS GOVERNMENT THIS YEAR.

TO BE CLEAR, I'M NOT ADVOCATING FOR CUTTING SOR SERVICES.

WHAT I AM ADVOCATING FOR IS A SUSTAINABLE AMOUNT OF GROWTH WHERE WE ARE FUNDING OUR NEEDS, NOT OUR WANTS.

LISTEN, THERE IS NEVER A SHORTAGE OF NEW PROGRAMS OR SOMEONE PITCHING A GOOD IDEA.

IN POLITICS, YOU ARE ONLY CRITICIZED FOR SAYING NO.

IT'S EASY TO FEEL LIKE YOU'RE LEADING WHEN THE WIND IS AT YOUR BACK AND YOU'RE ALWAYS SAYING YES.

BUT IT'S OUR JOBS AS LEADERS TO MAKE THE TOUGH DECISIONS NOW FOR FUTURE PROSPERITY OF OKLAHOMA.

[APPLAUSE] A STRONG ECONOMY IS ESSENTIAL TO BEING THE MOST BUSINESS FRIENDLY STATE, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO HAVE AN EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT MEETS OUR WORKFORCE NEEDS.

THANKS TO EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM, ALMOST EVERYBODY, WE LED THE NATION BYPASSING THE REVOLUTIONARY PARENTAL CHOICE TAX CREDIT LAST YEAR.

[APPLAUSE] NOW, STUDENTS AND PARENTS, THEY HAVE MORE OPTIONS THAN EVER.

BECAUSE WE KNOW GOD GAVE KIDS TO THEIR PARENTS, NOT TO THE GOVERNMENT.

EMILY MCDONALD, SHE'S AN EDMOND MOM OF THREE.

SHE SENT HER KIDS TO THEIR ZIP CODE SCHOOL.

HER OLDEST CHILD IS THRIVING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

HER SECOND CHILD, A BOY WITH AUTISM, HE FACES STRUGGLES AS WELL, BUT HE HAS ALSO GOTTEN THE SUPPORT HE NEEDS AT HIS SCHOOL.

BUT HER YOUNGER DAUGHTER, SHE CAME HOME FROM SCHOOL CRYING EVERY SINGLE DAY BECAUSE OF THE WAY OTHER STUDENTS TREATED HER AS SHE STOOD UP FOR HER BROTHER WITH AUTISM.

EMILY HAD RECENTLY LOST HER HUSBAND AND WAS RAISING THESE THREE CHILDREN ON HER OWN.

SHE SAW HER DAUGHTER START TO FALL BEHIND ACADEMICALLY BECAUSE OF THE BULLYING SHE WAS EXPERIENCING.

ON A SINGLE INCOME, SHE DIDN'T KNOW HOW SHE WOULD BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO SEND HER DAUGHTER TO ANOTHER SCHOOL.

THE TAX CREDIT PROGRAM WAS IN THE WORKS.

SHE TOOK A LEAP OF FAITH AND ENROLLED HER DAUGHTER IN A PRIVATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, PRAYING THAT THEY WOULD BE APPROVED FOR THE TAX CREDIT.

I'M HAPPY TO REPORT, HER DAUGHTER IS THRIVING IN HER NEW SCHOOL.

IN JUST HALF A SCHOOL YEAR, SHE HAS JUMPED THREE GRADE LEVELS IN READING.

EMILY IS WITH US TODAY.

I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE HER AND HER DAUGHTER.

WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND UP.

[APPLAUSE] THERE ARE SO MANY REASONS PARENTS MAY CHOOSE A DIFFERENT SCHOOL THAT ISN'T THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL, AND IT'S OUR JOB TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THAT FREEDOM.

LOOKING FORWARD, LET'S FOCUS ON OPENING THE DOOR TO MORE WORKFORCE-ORIENTED SCHOOLS SO THAT EVERY KID IN OKLAHOMA IS COLLEGE READY OR CAREER READY.

[APPLAUSE] LET'S EMPOWER COMMUNITY LEADERS TO START NEW, INNOVATIVE SCHOOLS THAT ARE MOLDED TO THE NEEDS OF OUR STATE AND PREPARE OUR STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE WORKFORCE.

WE WANT MORE SCHOOLS THAT PREPARE KIDS FOR THE WORKFORCE LIKE CRISTO RAY, DOVE SCIENCE ACADEMY, OR THE NORMAN AVIATION ACADEMY.

THESE HIGH SCHOOLS FOCUS ON CAREER TRAINING INSTEAD OF ONLY FOCUSING ON COLLEGE READINESS.

NORMAN AVIATION ACADEMY IS A PUBLIC SCHOOL THAT GIVES STUDENTS HANDS ON EXPERIENCE IN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY.

STUDENTS CAN WORK TOWARDS THEIR PILOT LICENSE OR TECHNICAL CERTIFICATES IN AVIATION MAINTENANCE AND LEAVE HIG SCHOOL WITH GREAT JOBS WITH AVIATION COMPANIES RIGHT HERE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

CRISTO RAY REQUIRES KIDS TO INTERN AT DIFFERENT COMPANIES ONE DAY A WEEK TO GAIN VALUABLE WORK EXPERIENCE.

LET'S HAVE MORE OF THESE SCHOOLS AND BE NUMBER ONE IN THE NATIO IN CHARTER SCHOOLS.

[APPLAUSE] ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE ALREADY PROVING THAT THEY WORK SO WELL.

OKLAHOMA IS TOP 10 IN CHARTER SCHOOL PERFORMANCE.

NOT ONLY THAT, OKLAHOMA RANKS NO.

1 IN THE NATION, NO.

1 IN THE NATION FOR SMALLEST RACIAL PERFORMANCE GAPS IN OUR CHARTER SCHOOLS.

SO WHY ARE THERE STILL BARRIERS FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS TO USE VACANT SCHOOL BUILDINGS?

LET'S PUT SOME OF THESE VACANT HOOL BUILDINGS TO USE AND GET MORE HIGH PERFORMING CHARTER SCHOOLS UP AND RUNNING, ESPECIALLY IN AREAS WITH POOR PERFORMING PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

[APPLAUSE] MORE SCHOOLS, MORE INNOVATION, MORE FREEDOM!

SEND ME LEGISLATION THAT PAVES THE WAY FOR MORE CHARTER SCHOOLS AND GIVES STUDENTS MORE OPTIONS.

ADDITIONALLY, I WANT TO EMPOWER OUR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO BE THE BEST IN THE NATION.

TO BE THE BEST, WE NEED TO SHIFT OUR FOCUS TO OUTCOME-BASED HIGHER EDUCATION MODELS AND STOP SUBSIDIZING INSTITUTIONS WITH LOW ENROLLMENT AND LOW GRADUATION RATES.

TECHNOLOGY HAS TRANSFORMED THE WAY WE DO HIGHER EDUCATION, SO WE CAN'T KEEP RELYING ON 20TH CENTURY EDUCATION MODELS TO BRING OUR STUDENTS INTO THE FUTURE WORKFORCE.

EACH COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY NEEDS TO FOCUS ON THE SUBJECTS THEY ARE BEST AT AND BECOME THE PREMIER INSTITUTIONS IN THEIR AR.

ACCEPTED ME LEGISLATION THAT INCENTIVIZES MODELS THAT FULFILL OUR STATE'S WORKFORCE NEEDS.

I ALSO WANT OUR REGENTS TO FOCUS ON CONSOLIDATING COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES THAT AREN'T MEETING THIS STANDARD.

IN OKLAHOMA, EDUCATION FREEDOM IS FOR EVERY SINGLE STUDENT AT EVERY SINGLE LEVEL.

WE CANNOT BE THE BEST STATE FOR BUSINESSES AND HAVE THE GREATEST EDUCATION SYSTEM AND THE GREATEST UNIVERSITIES, BUT IF WE DON'T HAVE SAFE COMMUNITIES, NOBODY IS GOING TO WANT TO LIVE HERE.

I WANT TO BE CLEAR.

OKLAHOMA IS A "LAW AND ORDER" STATE.

[APPLAUSE] WE SUPPORT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE PUNISH CRIMINALS.

WE PROTECT OUR CITIZENS.

I WANT TO PUT CRIMINALS ON NOTICE.

YOU ARE NOT WELCOMED HERE.

YOU WILL SERVE TIME.

[APPLAUSE] WE ALSO BELIEVE IN FAIR SENTENCES, AND WE BELIEVE IN SECOND CHANCES.

[APPLAUSE] I KNEW I WOULD GET THE DEMOCRATS GOING IN A SECOND.

WE HAVE WORKED HARD TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PROSECUTING CRIMES AND REHABILITATING THOSE WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES.

[APPLAUSE] AND WE ARE FOCUSING ON ELIMINATING BARRIERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED THEIR TIME.

WITH THE EFFORTS LIKE THE SARAH STITT ACT AND OUR DRUG COURT SYSTEM, WE ARE NOW NO.

2, LOWEST IN THE NATION, IN RECIDIVISM RATES.

[APPLAUSE] NOW WE NEED TO LIMIT FINES, FEES AND COURT COSTS TO ONLY WHAT IS NEEDED FOR RESTITUTION.

WE NEED TO ADDRESS CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE.

[APPLAUSE] IT'S CRAZY TO ME THAT SOMEBODY CAN BE PULLED OVER, HAVE THEIR CASH AND THEIR TRUCK TAKEN FOR AN ALLEGED CRIME, GET ACQUITTED OF THAT CRIME BUT NEVER GET THEIR PROPERTY BACK.

THAT ISN'T FAIR, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT'S NOT HAPPENING IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

[APPLAUSE] IN 2022, WHEN I ADDRESSED THIS CHAMBER, I SAID WE ARE GOING TO FOCUS ON THE STATE'S MARIJUANA INDUSTRY, AND WE ARE GOING TO GET IT BACK INE.

LINE.

THANKS TO A LOT OF YOU IN THIS ROOM, AT ITS PEAK, REPORTS SHOW SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 12 AND 14,000 LICENSED MARIJUANA BUSINESSES, INCLUDING MANY WITH LINKS TO CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS FROM CHINA AND MEXICO AND RUSSIA, THROUGH THE ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS OF DONNY ANDERSON AND OBN AND ADRIA BERRY AND THE TEAM AT OMMA, OKLAHOMA HAS GONE FROM THE REPUTATION OF THE WILD WEST IN NEED TO BEING VIEWED AS HAVING SOME OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT AND REGULATORY OVERSIGHT IN THE NATION.

NOW LICENSES ARE DOWN TO 76%.

[APPLAUSE] WE HAVE TO KEEP BAD ACTORS, LIKE THE DRUG CARTELS, OUT OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

THAT STARTS WITH SECURING OUR COUNTRY'S SOUTHERN BORDER.

[APPLAUSE] I HAVE BEEN VOCAL ABOUT MY SUPPORT OF TEXAS AND GOVERNOR ABBOTT AS THEY FIGHT TO SECURE OUR SOUTHERN BORDER AND PUT PRESSURE ON THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO ENFORCE LAWS.

I WILL CONTINUE TO OFFER THE ASSISTANCE OF THE OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT IF WE DON'T HAVE A SECURE BORDER, EVERY SINGLE STATE IS A BORDER STATE LET'S TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THE SERVICE OF THOSE IN OUR NATIONAL GUARD UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MAJOR GENERAL TOMMY MANCINO.

MANY HAVE ANSWERED THE CALL OF DUTY AND DEPLOYED TO THE SOUTHERN BORDER IN TEXAS, AND TO KENYA AND DJIBOUTI.

WE ARE PROUD OF THEIR BRAVERY AND COMMITMENT TO SERVING OUR STATE AND OUR COUNTRY.

[APPLAUSE] AS I TALK TO PEOPLE AROUND THE STATE, THEY TELL ME THEY WANT STATE GOVERNMENT THAT WORKS EFFICIENTLY, TREATS THEM FAIRLY AND PROTECTS THEIR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS.

MANY OKLAHOMANS I TALK TO WANT CLARITY ABOUT WHO HAS AUTHORITY TO DO WHAT IN OUR STATE.

THAT'S BECAUSE TODAY, OUR STATE IS STILL DEALING WITH THE FALLOUT FROM THE MCGIRT DECISION.

IT'S A DECISION THAT HAS ROCKED OUR STATE AND CAUSED DIVISION WHERE PREVIOUSLY THERE WAS NONE.

BUT I KNOW THERE IS A PATH FORWARD BECAUSE OF THE SUCCESS WE'VE FOUND NEGOTIATING COMPACTS WITH THE CHICKASAW, THE APACHE, THE CITIZEN POTAWATOMIE, AND TH WYANDOTTE GOVERNMENTS JUST OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

[APPLAUSE] BUT WE STILL NEED CLARITY.

THREE YEARS AGO, IN MY STATE OF THE STATE, I ASKED A FEW QUESTIONS STEMMING FROM THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION.

IN 2021 I ASKED: DO TRIBA MEMBERS LIVING IN TULSA, THE EASTERN PART OF OUR STATE, PAY INCOME TAX?

TODAY THERE ARE TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS SUPPORTING A WOMAN NAMED STROBLE IN HER LAWSUIT BEFORE THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT SO SHE CAN BE EXEMPTED FROM PAYING STATE INCOME TAXES.

IN 2021 I ASKED WHO REGULATES AGRICULTURE, WATER, ENERGY.

TODAY, THERE ARE TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS TRYING TO STAND IN THE WAY OF OUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S ABILITY TO ISSUE NECESSARY PERMITS TO FARMERS TO WORK ON THEIR PRIVATE LAND.

IN 2021 I ASKED WHAT IS THE STATE'S ABILITY TO ENFORCE THE LAWS?

THERE ARE TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS WHO SUPPORTED A MAN NAMED HOOPER AS HE FOUGHT AGAINST TULSA POLICE'S AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE TRAFFIC LAWS.

IN 2021 I ASKED WHO HAD THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE ARRESTS AND PROSECUTE PEOPLE?

TODAY, WE ARE DEALING WITH THE FALLOUT FROM THE CONFLICT AT OKMULGEE COUNTY JAIL WHERE, DUE TO DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT WHO HAS AUTHORITY OVER THAT PART OF THE STATE, THERE WAS A STANDOFF AS A CREEK TRIBAL OFFICER TRIED TO ARREST A COUNTY CORRECTIONAL OFFICER IN HIS OWN JAIL.

THREE YEARS AFTER MCGIRT, WE ARE STILL OPERATING UNDER A CONFUSING AND CONFLICTING PATCHWORK OF JURISDICTION ACROSS OUR STATE.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE CLARIFY OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT RELATIONSHIPS IMMEDIATELY.

THAT'S WHY I CREATED THE ONE OKLAHOMA TASK FORCE TO COME UP WITH CROSS-DEPUTIZATION AND JAIL AGREEMENTS.

I HOPE THAT THIS TASK FORCE CAN WORK TO FIND A SOLUTION THAT PROTECTS THE SAFETY OF ALL FOUR MILLION OKLAHOMANS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR RACE OR HERITAGE, AND I HOPE THE TRIBES WILL CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE.

IN 2021 I SAID, IT IS CRITICAL, WHILE EMBRACING THE TRIBAL HERITAGE OF MANY OKLAHOMANS, THAT WE DON'T LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT WE ARE ALL OKLAHOMANS.

WE CAN'T BE A STATE THAT OPERATES WITH TWO DIFFERENT SETS OF RULES, ESPECIALLY BASED ON RACE.

HERE'S THE DEAL.

THINGS ARE DIFFERENT IN OKLAHOMA THAN THEY ARE IN PLACES LIKE ARIZONA.

ARIZONA HAS THE NAVAJO RESERVATION.

AND IT'S TRUE TRIBAL MEMBERS WHO LIVE ON THE NAVAJO RESERVATION DON'T PAY TAXES TO THE STATE OF ARIZONA.

BUT HERE'S WHAT'S ALSO TRUE: THE STATE OF ARIZONA DOESN'T BUILD ROADS ON THE RESERVATION.

THEY DON'T FUND HOSPITALS OR PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR AIRPORTS ON THE RESERVATION.

THEY DON'T SEND THE ARIZONA HIGHWAY PATROL TO ENFORCE LAWS ON THE RESERVATION.

THERE ARE TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS WHO WANT TULSA AND EASTERN OKLAHOMA TO LOOK LIKE THE NAVAJO RESERVATION.

BUT EASTERN OKLAHOMA IS DIFFERENT THAN THE NAVAJO RESERVATION.

AND WE HAVE BETTER OUTCOMES FOR OUR TRIBAL POPULATIONS ACROSS THE BOARD.

WE'VE OPERATED AS ONE OKLAHOMA SINCE STATEHOOD, AND IT'S HOW WE'RE GOING TO OPERATE FOR AS LONG AS I'M GOVERNOR.

[APPLAUSE] STAND WITH ME, PROTECT ONE UNIFIED OKLAHOMA.

BEFORE I WRAP UP, I WANT TO CHALLENGE EACH OF US IN THIS ROOM TO CONSIDER TWO THINGS.

ONE, WHO ARE WE ALLOWING TO INFLUENCE THE LAWS WE MAKE?

I LOVE HOW BOONE PICKENS PUT IT HE SAID WHEN PEOPLE TRIED TO INFLUENCE HIM, HE WOULD ASK HIMSELF, DO THEY HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO PUSH?

WHO ARE WE LETTING INFLUENCE US HERE IN THIS BUILDING?

ARE SPECIAL INTERESTS DOMINATING, OR ARE THE INTERESTS OF ALL FOUR MILLION OKLAHOMANS GUIDING OUR DECISIONS?

AND THE SECOND QUESTION IS, WHAT LEGACY ARE WE GOING TO LEAVE BEHIND?

WE NEED TO BE WORKING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION, NOT THE NEXT ELECTION.

ARE WE LEAVING OKLAHOMA BETTER THAN WE FOUND IT?

ARE WE WILLING TO RISK EVERYTHING TO DO THE RIGHT THING, OR WILL WE RISK THE DREAM OF OKLAHOMA'S FUTURE JUST FOR PERSONAL GAIN?

RONALD REAGAN SAID THIS: THERE ARE NO EASY ANSWERS, BUT THERE ARE SIMPLE ANSWERS.

WE MUST HAVE THE COURAGE TO DO WHAT WE KNOW IS MORALLY RIGHT.

WHAT ARE WE DOING TODAY TO PROTECT THIS OKLAHOMA WE LOVE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN?

IF THAT ISN'T OUR SOLE FOCUS, WE ARE HERE FOR THE WRONG REASONS.

GOVERNING SHOULD BE ABOUT MAKING THE TOUGH DECISIONS, NOT WHAT'S EASY OR CONVENIENT.

AS I CONCLUDE, I WANT TO DECLARE: AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD.

[APPLAUSE] I'M CALLING ON OUR BUSINESSES TO SERVE GOD IN THE MARKETPLACE.

OUR CHURCHES TO SERVE GOD AND PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

OUR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO SERVE GOD BY ACTING RIGHTEOUSLY AND SERVING WITHOUT PARTIALITY.

WE'RE MAKING SURE THE NEXT GENERATION CAN LIVE OUT THEIR AMERICAN DREAM, THEIR OKLAHOMA DREAM.

LET'S GO.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU, AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS THE GREAT STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

HAVE A GREAT SESSION.

[APPLAUSE] >> REPRESENTATIVE ECHOLS, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR A MOTION.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

MR. PRESIDENT, THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE JOINT SESSION, I MOVE THE JOINT SESSION BE DISSOLVED.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE, OPPOSED NAY.

THE MOTION IS ADOPTED AND THE JOINT SESSION IS DISSOLVED.

YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING GOVERNOR YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS FROM THE OKLAHOMA STATE CAPITOL.

WE NOW RETURN TO REGULAR PROGRAMMING.

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