State of the State: Top five policy solutions to look forward to in 2013

February 4, 2013

As the OCPA team watched and tweeted Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin’s third State of the State address today, we were encouraged by several policy solutions she outlined:

• Workers' Compensation Reform. Gov. Fallin recognizes that Oklahoma’s costly workers’ compensation system dampens our state’s business climate and constricts our job market. The cost savings from reform will allow Oklahoma’s private-sector employers to expand capacity and create additional job opportunities for their friends and neighbors.
• Tax Cuts. We applaud the Governor for pointing out the positive impact tax cuts have already had on Oklahoma’s economy and the opportunities they have made possible for Oklahoma families. She instinctively understands our income tax rate is still too high and puts us at a competitive disadvantage against more than one of our neighboring states.
• Budget. Fiscally, Gov. Fallin challenged lawmakers to break away from the less-than-transparent state budgeting practices of decades past.
• Pension Reform. Gov Fallin realizes changes must be made to preserve the state’s employee retirement program to ensure it delivers on its promises and does not become an unnecessary burden on taxpayers.
• Medicaid. We are proud of Gov. Fallin for standing firm in her position that the federal health care law is unaffordable and ineffective for our state, and that policymakers should continue to opt out of the law’s expansion of Medicaid.

Knowing that the Governor is entering the legislative session with this mindset, and knowing the priorities of leaders like President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman and Speaker T.W. Shannon, OCPA is optimistic that Oklahoma’s second century will continue to be better than its first.