OKLA. CITY —
When the Oklahoma legislative session begins each February, elected officials begin their work addressing state issues. The people of Oklahoma put trust in those they elect to adequately represent their voice and responsibly govern the entire state.
Traveling Oklahoma as lieutenant governor and as small business advocate, I am provided the opportunity to be on the ground visiting one on one with Oklahomans from various walks of life. In doing so, I hear stories and glean suggestions straight from the source in what will make Oklahoma strong.
My journeys across the state resulted in the release of my second lieutenant governor’s Policy and Issues Report last month, which included relevant policy proposals in the areas of workers’ compensation reform, tax reform, workforce development, unemployment compensation, and tourism. These proposals were recommended directly from Oklahomans who on a daily basis work hard to move this state forward. In drafting the report and presenting it to legislators, my goal is to generate legislation that will produce a growing, thriving Oklahoma. Oklahoma must continue to remain on the competitive edge. We do that through removing barriers to growth, educating a skilled workforce and providing accountability within government agencies and entities.
Among these proposed reforms, business owners across the state made it clear that their biggest impediment and barrier to growth is Oklahoma’s current workers’ compensation system. The call to replace the current workers’ compensation system is an issue we can no longer ignore.Oklahoma is currently the sixth most expensive state to do business. By replacing our current adversarial system, which immediately pits an employee against an employer, with an administrative model of governance we will find savings that will result in more jobs.
In short, policy matters. Oklahoma will see continued growth if we as elected officials approve efficient and effective policy that results in growth and prosperity. The legislative session is in full swing and I am confident that the ideas and suggestions in the 2013 lieutenant governor’s Policy and Issues Report, submitted by Oklahoma voters themselves, will result in much needed reforms. The report can be viewed in its entirety online at www.ok.gov/ltgovernor.
As always, my office is open and ready to assist you in any way we can. I am excited to hear your ideas on how we can increase economic development across the state.
LT. GOV. TODD LAMB may be reached at his websiteat www.ok.gov/ltgovernor or reach him on Facebook and Twitter (@LtGovToddLamb) or call his office at 405-521-2161.
Opinion
Policy matters in state government
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Witnesses missing; Behenna case could be heard at Supreme Court
The film “Breaker Morant” was nominated for an Oscar for the best screenplay in 1980. It told the story of Harry “Breaker” Morant, an Australian who served in the British Army and was court-martialed for alleged war crimes during the Boer War in Southern Africa in the early years of the last century.
That conflict pitted the British Army against the descendants of the Dutch settlers who had migrated to what is now South Africa in the 17th and 18th centuries. The majority of them were farmers and in their language of Afrikaans were known as “Boers.” -
Don’t leave Oklahoma!
May is graduation season. As I have done every year as lieutenant governor, I have given multiple commencement speeches. Advice flows freely during this time and it usually runs the gamut. What to do, what not to do, how to do ‘x’, be sure not to do ‘y.’ Too often commencement speakers speak in big generalities. So general, the message is frequently lost or forgotten.
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Last-minute funding proposals not in state’s best interest
All indications point to this being the last week of this year’s legislative session. The Legislature will go home a week early. This is good news for Oklahomans as not only will there be cost savings but all Oklahomans should breathe a sigh of relief when the Legislature stops making new laws a week ahead of schedule.
As usual, the Legislature will take a number of important votes during the last week. Some will be forced due to attempts to introduce and pass far-reaching, new policies that should have been introduced much earlier in the year. -
BY THE NUMBERS: Oklahoma still needs to invest in its economy
After six months of stagnation, the Oklahoma economy finally appears to be expanding again albeit still weakly. Unfortunately, our leaders aren’t making the investments we need to give our economic prospects a boost.
Last week the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services reported that in April state General Revenue fund collections were 5.2 percent above the estimate and 14.7 percent higher than last year’s collections. Under normal circumstances, such a report would indicate that the Oklahoma economy was very strong. But this isn’t a normal circumstance, and April isn’t a normal month. -
Americans deserve the truth on Benghazi
Lately, the media has been consumed by the controversies surrounding the White House. Among these controversies is the horrific terrorist attack on the United States’ diplomatic compound in Benghazi that took place Sept. 11, 2012. As more people come forward with additional information regarding the attack on the consulate, many Americans, including myself, are still asking for the truth.
The Obama Administration and the State Department have been less than forthcoming with key information on Benghazi and recent information points toward a major cover-up. -
Seizure of AP phone records insult to independent press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
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HEY HINK: Some people just are not cut out for command
Recent headlines cause me to remember an incident that occurred on an army base some years ago. Warning here: I’m taking some liberties with names and details, but the basic outline of events is accurate.
A certain company commander, let’s call him Captain Duntz, had command of a motor pool on a large army base in the continental U.S. -
We’ve become our own worst enemies
The past couple months have been marked by a seeming unprecedented number of man-made tragedies, as distinct from those caused by violent outbursts of the natural world, such as earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis.
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Let’s reimburse higher ed for remediation costs
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AGAINST THE GRAIN: Department of Commerce highlights Main Street successes
The 24th annual Oklahoma Main Street Awards Banquet was at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum last week. Oklahoma Department of Commerce Secretary Dave Lopez addressed the gathering, and spoke of how the Commerce Department works with Main Street organizations throughout the state that are working to improve their downtown areas. Lopez pointed out that the partnership between his department and those local organizations has brought new life to those communities and that the attendees would see some of that revitalization in a video presentation. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin also addressed the gathering, and said the Main Street program has resulted in more than $1 billion in investments in the state and more than 1 million volunteer hours in its 24 years of operation.
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Witnesses missing; Behenna case could be heard at Supreme Court
