In his State of the State Address Monday to the Oklahoma legislature, Gov. Kevin Stitt vowed protection for the state’s oil and gas industry.
“We’ll support our oil and gas industry and protect it from radical liberals in Washington,” said the governor in referencing how he and legislative leaders are working to craft “the people’s agenda!”
Gov. Stitt used his address to also criticize Democratic President Biden for his 22 Executive Orders in the first week in office.
” Many of them will kill jobs and put burdensome regulations on our businesses. It’s a different story here in Oklahoma. We must continue our focus on cutting red tape,” he said adding, “Instead of letting Washington strangle Oklahoma’s businesses, we need to unleash them! The government’s job is not to slow things down. It’s to get out of the way!”
The Governor praised legislators for holding last year’s budget to 78% of the spending authority as the state was reeling from a massive drop in oil prices and 13% unemployment.
He also touched on the U.S. Supreme Court McGirt v. Oklahoma ruling that questions the sovereignty of the state. Gov. Stitt said it raises many unanswered questions.
“Another potential issue is who regulates agriculture? Water? The energy industry? Zoning? Who has the right to tax businesses?”
The governor called it a critical issue as he has invited tribal leaders to discuss the issue and attempt to resolve some of those questions.
“Where we go from here will define the state’s future,” he said.
The governor’s address drew support from Brook A. Simmons, President of the Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma.
“The people of Oklahoma’s oil and natural gas industry applaud Governor Stitt’s leadership to move this state forward with policies that boost our state’s highly-specialized economy, cut unnecessary red tape and eliminate barriers to investment. We look forward to working with him and the legislature to capture a brighter future for all Oklahomans.”