The Best Way to Solve Economic Challenges
January 1st, 2010
DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everybody! At noon on February 1, the 48 members of the Senate and the 101 members of the House of Representatives will return to the State Capitol.
Looking ahead to the 2010 session, I am reminded of an old curse: “May you live in interesting times.” The continued downturn in state revenues – and the impact it is having on critical state services – has created “interesting times.” As difficult as things seem, the challenges we face are not hopeless.
In fact, I believe there are significant opportunities for which we can – and for which we must – reach if we are to continue Oklahoma's rise as a state with unlimited potential. Preparations to reach for those opportunities are well underway.
The month of January is almost as hectic as the session itself. Already now, most of us in the Legislature are in almost constant contact with our Capitol offices and legislative staff as we prepare legislation for consideration during the session.
The budget – and finding a way to get through the revenue shortfalls we are enduring – will be at the top of everyone’s priority list. I have always believed the best way to solve economic challenges is to grow the economy.
For the past several years, I have worked on many programs to bring and retain good-paying jobs to our state. Among those projects is my work to bring a major gun manufacturer to Oklahoma.
Working with the gunsmith program at Murray State College in Tishomingo and the state Commerce Department, we have had contact with several of these manufacturers – many of which are in states that are outright hostile to the notion of gun ownership. We are very close, I believe, to bringing a manufacturer – and the good jobs this industry creates – to Oklahoma.
I have introduced Senate Bill 1259, which would make the recruitment of firearms manufacturers a statutory responsibility of the state Commerce Department. That is proof that even in “interesting” times, we do have opportunities.
These are not the worst times we have endured. In the shadow of one of the darkest times in American history – the Cuban Missile Crisis – President Kennedy gave the commencement address at American University. Just months after standing on the brink of nuclear war with the Soviets, the president gave a reminder for all who seek to build a brighter future.
“Our problems are manmade,” he said. “Therefore, they can be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings. Man’s reason and spirit have often solved the seemingly unsolvable – and we believe they can do it again.”
As we enter a new year, my pledge is to continue working to solve the “seemingly unsolvable” challenges that stand in Oklahoma’s way. Together, we can move our state toward the future we dream and deserve.
Thanks again for reading this week’s “Senate Minute.” Have a great week, and may God bless you all.