New Castle (Pa.) —
Like the rest of the country, Oklahoma has been facing a time of economic challenges. Many families in our state are struggling to make ends meet and lawmakers at the state Capitol faced the daunting task of balancing the budget amid record shortfalls.
Recent news, however, offers hope that brighter days are ahead.
Earlier this month, Boeing announced plans to move 550 high-paying engineering jobs to Oklahoma City. This move will strengthen Oklahoma’s growing aviation and aerospace industry, and create more jobs as those engineers live and spend their money here in Oklahoma.
More good news came a week later. After a difficult legislative session when state leaders grappled with the largest budget shortfall in state history, it was announced that revenue collections for July exceeded expectations, coming in nearly 10 percent above last year and almost 12 percent above the estimate for this year.
Although many fiscal challenges remain, and state agencies are dealing with significant cuts in the current year, the new revenue numbers are encouraging and reflect all that our state has going for it.
Oklahoma is centrally located and offers a great quality of life, a low cost of living and a low tax burden. Furthermore, our state is in the midst of a renaissance. Residents in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and across the state have chosen to invest in their communities and those investments are paying off.
Businesses are looking to Oklahoma. We have worked hard to spur economic development and increase standards and accountability in the classroom. With a workforce that’s well-educated and ready for the 21st century job market, there’s good reason to believe that Oklahoma may emerge from this recession stronger and more prosperous that ever before.
GOV. BRAD HENRY may be reached via his Web site at www.governor.ok.gov.
Opinion
Encouraging signs for Oklahoma
- Opinion
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- LETTER: Reader says incumbent's personal agenda in the way
- LETTER: Supporter says Duncan works 'with all her might'
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Income-tax phase-out would create economic boom
Oklahoma should phase out its personal income tax and replace it with nothing. No property tax increases. No sales tax increases. Nothing.
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Route 66 history, architecture has spot in hearts, minds
Cyrus Avery was a Tulsa oilman who advocated for the construction of a roadway that would run from Chicago to Los Angeles. Largely as a result of his and others’ tireless efforts, in 1926 Route 66 was officially opened.
- LETTER: Reader says Duncan’s career training makes her uniquely qualified for school board
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OTHER VIEW EDITORIAL: Stillwater NewsPress: Committee right to reject tax proposal
Oklahoma’s Senate Finance Committee was right Tuesday to reject a proposal to tax newspapers and magazines.
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LETTER: Supporter calls Duncan caring, interactive
To the Editor:
In my 43-year career as a professor at the University of Central Oklahoma I wrote many a letter of recommendation for deserving students for jobs, graduate and professional schools and scholarships. Those letters are read by busy people who have important decisions to contemplate and my belief is they ought to be brief and on point. This is such a letter. -
LETTER: Supporter applauds Duncan’s persistent dedication
To the Editor:
I am writing this letter to support and endorse the re-election of Kathleen Duncan to the Edmond Board of Education next Tuesday. I’ve been an Edmond resident for the past 20 years, and because I don’t live in District 2, I cannot cast my vote for Duncan, but I do pay a considerable amount in taxes to the Edmond Public School District. -
LETTER: Duncan lends watchful eye to school district
To the Editor:
Kathleen Duncan serves tirelessly in her capacity as an Edmond Board of Education member. A former teacher, school counselor and Oklahoma County Assistant District Attorney, she has the time to go into our schools and hear the needs of teachers, students and staff. When she hears of needs, she has the time and experience to share those issues with the appropriate administrators for investigation and resolution. -
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