The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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October 4, 2010

Fallin speaks about plans

By Robert Barron, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

ENID — Oklahoma Republican gubernatorial candidate Mary Fallin outlined the four planks of her Fallin Plan Monday at the Enid Rotary Club.

The first plan is to get Oklahoma’s economy working by focusing on jobs and creating a better business climate. She also wants to keep taxes low in the state and as the economy further rebounds, reduce them even more.

“Small business owners have told me the costs of workers’ compensation insurance keep them from expanding and adding jobs,” Fallin said.

Also, Oklahoma must have an educated workforce, she said. The key to developing a better workforce is to have a strong economy and a strong state. She emphasized attracting new jobs.

“In the next 20 years we will need a million new workers in the aerospace industry. That affects Oklahoma,” Fallin said.

The third pillar of her plan is to make sure government works for the citizens, not the other way around. She said Oklahomans pay taxes and deserve a government that is “smaller, smarter and more cost-effective.”

If elected, Fallin said she will bring individuals in from the private sector to look at state government and make it work like it should.

“And the fourth pillar is that I will stand up to Washington when it does things that intrude on our rights. I will stand up to Washington and tell them to stay out of our business,” Fallin said.

As an example, Fallin said she would demand no more unfunded mandates. She claimed there is $500 million in unfunded mandates passed down to Medicaid through the federal health care plan. She also wants to secure the nation’s borders against illegal immigrants. Fallin endorsed the Arizona plan for immigration.

Answering questions from the audience, Fallin said she opposes State Question 744, which calls for the state to fund education to a regional level. Although education is essential to creating a strong workforce and she favors improving education, Fallin has several problems with the question.

“There is no funding source, no reform and it will impact other parts of the budget,” Fallin said.

 The question calls for Oklahoma to spend the regional average in education spending, which could amount to $1 billion in new spending. The state had a budget shortfall last year and faces further cuts next year, and Fallin said the only way to abide by the question is to raise taxes or cut state government spending, in addition to the $1 billion shortfall.

“That would possibly result in another 20 percent cut in the state budget, which is less for corrections, roads and bridges,” she said.

Fallin faces Lt. Gov. Jari Askins in the historic gubernatorial election in November. The winner will serve as Oklahoma’s first female governor.

Askins, a Democrat, will be the guest speaker at Enid Rotary later this month.

Fallin has spent 19 years in public service and currently is serving her second term as 5th District Congress-woman. She was the first female lieutenant governor, where she served 12 years.

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