By Robert Barron, Staff Writer
Mike Jackson, 30, of Enid is running for a third term as House District 40 representative.
Jackson, a Republican, currently chairs the aerospace and technology committee and serves on energy and technology, general government and transportation, and agriculture and commerce.
Prior to being elected to the Legislature, he worked in the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and as a field representative for U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe.
What are your proposals to enhance energy development in the state?
Jackson said he is looking at a number of proposals.
“A number of proposals have been put forth,” he said. “One is CNG (compressed natural gas), one is wind energy and upgrading our infrastructure has been talked about.”
Jackson pointed out the delivery system for these new energy sources is an obstacle to their development.
“It is difficult to sell a product pulling out of the ground in Oklahoma, if there is no pipeline to get it to market.,” he said. “The overall strategy of diversification of all energy is essential for us to continue to be in the position we are today with the state budget.”
He also pointed out Oklahoma’s economy has been tied to energy primarily natural gas and oil.
“Wind energy will be a major discussion in the Legislature next year. There have been a number of wind turbines placed across the state. With the advance of technology those will continue to be more economical and make more sense to invest in it and encourage investors to get into wind power.”
Jackson said biodiesel could also be a factor and is easier to encourage investment in than ethanol.
“Overall there is a need to encourage local drilling, make sure we’re not importing $700 billion for foreign oil. Let’s drill in the U.S. and in Oklahoma.”
What are your proposals to encourage economic development in rural areas of the state?
Jackson lauded recent state efforts in investing in business incubators, including the new business development center at Autry Technology Center.
“In 2006 and 2007, we invested in incubators, which have a 75 percent chance of successfully starting a business,” Jackson said. “Enid has one, but we invested statewide. That will help us continue to grow small business which will help us thrive. If we don’t continue to help them by funding career tech which trains workers. Higher education and public education are absolutely essential for small business to grow in Oklahoma.”
School funding is always an issue. What is your opinion on the level of school funding now, and can the situation be improved?
Jackson pointed out the level of school funding has been increased each year since 2004.
“From increased money received through legislative funding and some increases from the lottery, although the lottery was less than anticipated, we have seen more funding,” he said. “ It is one of the things we need to continue to focus on, our future depends on how well educated we are. We’re falling behind in engineering.”
Jackson said there is a shortage of engineers across the state.
“We must encourage people to get into it,” he said.
“Investment, is important but you also have to have good solid values for young people, and accountability of the schools,” Jackson said. “We have to make sure our tax dollars are going to the programs and education we think we are getting. We’re making progress. It’s a long process that has been underfunded since statehood.”
What other issue is important to you?
“Transportation,” Jackson said. “We’re starting to see the benefits of keeping up roads and bridges and making strides on improving bridges and roads. We’ve also added programs like four-laning of U.S. 412 to Woodward on the 25-year program.”
Jackson said these im-provements will significantly help Enid.
“We’re also seeing widening of roads and bridges, better maintenance on roads which will mean our economy will be able to survive and thrive. We must have good roads and bridges so businesses can transport goods to markets.”
