Make Oklahoma a better state for future generations.
My work and life experiences make me well qualified to lead Oklahoma into the future.
We must decrease our high school drop-out rate.
Oklahoma needs both a greater number of college graduates and more skilled workers.
30% of Oklahoma high school graduates requiring remedial college courses in math and science is unacceptable.
Parents must take a more active role in their children's education and lives. Teachers should not be expected to "raise" our children--it is not their job.
Oklahoma teachers should be paid a rate competitive with surrounding states and our retired teachers deserve an increase in pay/benefit allowance (esp. for health care insurance costs).
Infrastructure
Transportation infrastructure is a key component of both economic development and tourism.
We should continue the record funding of state highways and county road funding that has occured the last 4 years.
The lake and industrial park access roads program must be strengthened.
State Employee Retention
State employee retention must be improved by paying a wage competitive with the same position/qualifications in the private sector
Healthcare
Many Oklahomans are just one serious illness away from bankruptcy.
The legislature must work with the Insurance Commissioner, the Commissioners of Health and Mental Health, the OK Health Care Authority, and private healthcare providers to craft a long range health-care policy.
Oklahomans must decrease their use of tobacco and lower the obesity rate.
Tourism
The Department of Tourism should be funded at a level needed for an agency to develop tourism into the economic engine it can be. Our State Parks should be funded at a level to make them the best in America.
IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH ISSUES 1-5 THE LEGISLATURE MUST DO A BETTER JOB OF PRIORITIZING THE USE OF STATE DOLLARS AND ELIMINATE "PORK-BARREL" PROJECTS