Oklahoma gubernatorial election, 2018 (June 26 Republican primary)

Mick's Vision

Oklahoma needs a new direction. Would anyone disagree? The state government is broken to the point that budget shortfalls, worries about education, public health and a variety of core government functions have become commonplace.

Many Oklahomans are worried about our future: what will we be leaving our kids? Will they even stick around to see it? Meanwhile, all we can reliably count on from our leaders at the state capitol is infighting between the House and Senate, between Republicans and Democrats, and even between Republicans and Republicans.

All of this tells me we need to chart a different course with different leaders if we expect anything to change at the state capitol. We need a Governor with proven leadership and a plan to make this state what we all know it can be. We need a consensus builder who can bring people to the table and won’t quit when things get tough. We need someone who can move this state in a new, positive direction.

If you believe Oklahoma’s best days are ahead of us, then join me and thousands of other Okies who are seeking to help us change the future and bring a new direction to Oklahoma.

I’m Mick Cornett, running to be the next Governor of our great state. Will you join me?

Our Plan for Oklahoma

Our Schools

Mick’s mother was a teacher and he understands the importance education plays in growing our economy, promoting a stronger workforce and creating better jobs that keep our kids and grandkids here. Mick believes teachers deserve a raise. He would like to see salaries increased to the regional average with competitive pay increases for STEM teachers.

With advances in technology, education is a lifelong endeavor. Mick wants to raise the expectations for education in our state and create a culture that empowers families and individuals—regardless of age or income— to seek the best educational outcomes.

Our Health

Mick believes we must prioritize health and wellness to reduce medical costs and live up to our full potential as a state. Mick led Oklahoma City through a transformational shift in its approach to obesity. Relying on individual responsibility and improving the built environment, Oklahoma City’s health statistics have improved in nearly every measurement.

Mick wants to create a state that will attract the top doctors and medical care, and he wants all Oklahomans to have access to quality emergency care and hospitals… including rural areas.

Our State Finances

While the state budget process remains a mess, Mick knows budgeting is about priorities and leadership. Mick has played a key role in developing Oklahoma City’s annual budget transparently based on the consensus needs of the community. For years Oklahoma City has received the highest possible credit rating and keeps a rainy day fund equal to 15% of the annual budget. All MAPS projects were completed debt free with complete accountability to the taxpayer.

Contrast Oklahoma City’s transparent management to the state budget process, where a handful of legislators determine the state’s priorities behind closed-doors. Mick believes the state must stop spending more than it takes in and restore accountability to you.

Jobs

In Mick's tenure as Mayor, Oklahoma City created nearly 100,000 new jobs and over 9,400 new businesses. He wants to use his job-creating skills to attract new industry to all of Oklahoma.

Under Mick’s leadership, Oklahoma City diversified its economy expanding thousands of new jobs in aviation and biomedical fields. His ability to promote our state helped create a tourism industry that has grown each year and attracted new dollars to our state.

Something is working in Oklahoma City and we need to take that leadership and vision to our state Capitol. No one sells Oklahoma on a world-wide stage better than Mick Cornett.

Roads and Bridges

President Trump has asked Mick to serve on two national committees dealing with infrastructure: the Federal Committee on Automation and the Infrastructure Summit. The Trump administration believes Oklahoma City is a model for the rest of the country in infrastructure financing. Oklahoma must increase its attention to roads and bridges. Oklahomans in every part of our state deserve good roads. Mick believes better infrastructure leads to more jobs and a stronger economy.

Our Values

Mick is considered nationally to be ‘the most conservative big city mayor in the country.' He is pro-life and a defender of the second amendment.

Mick and his wife, Terri, attend Skyline Church, a non-denominational Bible church in Oklahoma City. Terri calls Mick, 'the most Godly man I know.'

Our Future

Mick believes Oklahoma can become the envy of our region with vision and leadership. Our children and grandchildren are our future and making sure they have the tools to take our state into the next generation is Mick’s goal. We want our best and brightest to stay in Oklahoma and continue to grow our beloved state.^[14]

REFORM GOVERNMENT

We have to fundamentally change how the legislative session operates so we can better focus on the budgeting process and hold unelected bureaucrats more responsible for how our tax dollars are spent. Regaining control of budgeting will help further reform state government and make it more efficient with taxpayer dollars.

No candidate has as detailed of a plan to reform Oklahoma government as does Todd Lamb.

The first component of Todd’s reform plan is to change the structure of the legislative session. Legislation not related to the budget would be handled during the first month, reserving the rest of the session for strict analysis of the state’s budget.

STRUCTURAL BUDGET REFORM: As it is now, state government begins the budget process before it even knows what funds are available. The governor should submit a budget AFTER the amount of revenue available for appropriation is certified by the State Equalization Board – not before, as is the current practice. The current process is unwise and does not make sense.

SYSTEMIC REFORM: Oklahoma must implement zero-based budgeting. Bureaucrats and agency directors need to justify every expenditure of taxpayer dollars – not just the new dollars they inevitably request each year. Todd’s plan implements this long overdue reform.

Currently the budget is drafted by only a handful of legislators. The entire legislature should be engaged in the budgeting process. It is time to empty the back rooms and bring transparency to development of the state’s budget. By reforming the structure of the legislative session, every legislator will be tasked with helping keep unelected bureaucrats accountable.

In addition to the budget, Oklahoma must have additional reforms to help restore confidence in our elected officials. That is why Todd Lamb has proposed a comprehensive ethics in government reform plan. This very detailed, step-by-step plan addresses key issues like forcing those leaving office to pay for their special elections when they leave for scandalous or personal reasons; addressing per diem excesses during special sessions; holding elected officials more accountable for sexual harassment issues; creating a “cooling-off” period so legislators and agency directors cannot immediately become registered lobbyists; and eliminating unnecessary special privileges like unique license plates for legislators.

EDUCATION

The status quo is unacceptable. Increasing money spent in the classroom is key to giving our teachers the pay increase they deserve. Oklahoma must improve its education system. We have to put parents back in control, maintain a focus on improving academic achievement, and reduce administrative costs so we get a minimum of 65% of every education dollar spent directly with teachers in the classroom.

65% IN THE CLASSROOM: INVESTING IN STUDENTS AND TEACHERS Based on reports from the State Department of Education, currently fewer than ten of Oklahoma’s more than 500 school districts are spending at least 65% of their education dollars in the classroom. The low number of districts reaching even that modest threshold potentially understates how inefficiently our schools’ finances are being spent. One study shows that on a statewide basis, less than 45% of total education expenses went to instruction in 2016. For this reason, Todd Lamb will work to create a more transparent and accountable system for our schools so we will know we are getting the appropriate funds directed to the classroom. In-classroom expenditures include teacher salaries, textbooks and smartboards.

Spending so much of our education dollars outside the classroom is simply unacceptable and must stop. Oklahoma must quit growing administrative overhead in our schools and focus on the two most important people in the learning process: the teachers and students. With an appropriated budget of 2.9 billion dollars for the upcoming fiscal year, increasing the amount of spending in the classroom by just 1%, we can increase dollars spent on instruction by 29 million dollars. If Oklahoma is able to increase the percentage spent on classroom instruction by just 10%, we would see more than 290 million additional dollars spent in the classroom – without a tax increase.

Oklahoma must continually make certain our teachers have a competitive salary. Todd Lamb wants the best and brightest teachers in Oklahoma and knows we can pay our teachers more by dedicating more of our existing education funding to the classroom.

RIGOR REFORM It is time to demand and expect more from our schools and our students. Last year, 40% of all Oklahoma high school graduates who attended college had to take remedial courses. These students, despite having met all of the requirements, were not prepared for college courses. The need for remediation tremendously strains not just these colleges, but the taxpayers who are essentially paying twice for the same service, and the students and their families. Practically, that means it takes these students longer to graduate and makes college even more expensive. Lowering Oklahoma’s high remediation rate will require aggressive rigor reform, not at the high school level, but at the most basic levels of learning.

READING Oklahoma must reinstate the 3rd Grade Reading Sufficiency Act. In full force for only one year, this act led directly to an increase in our state’s National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores for fourth grade reading. This law was weakened, so it is now easier for a child who cannot read on grade-level to be promoted to fourth grade. Allowing a student to continue to fourth grade without being able to read is a tremendous disservice to the child, the fourth grade teacher and other children in the classroom who are unable to receive the full benefit of fourth grade instruction because so much time is necessary for remediation.

MATH It is time Oklahoma institute a 3rd Grade Math Proficiency Act. In today’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) dominated world, math skills are becoming more and more important.

Oklahoma currently has 9,000 job vacancies in the STEM fields. That number is expected to reach 24,000 by 2026, and only expected to grow. Not only will requiring proficiency in math help these students eventually enter the workforce and be productive, but it will help our state diversify our economy as we are able to fill the employment needs of these businesses.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT Parents have to be more involved and in control of their child’s education. We should expand programs like the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship program for children that need special education services to include other Oklahoma children. It is wrong to expect our public schools to be able to serve so many students when educators and facilities with special skills could do so at a lower cost to taxpayers.

REFORM AT ALL LEVELS Now is the time for education reform. Throughout our history, we have made attempts to fund education (House Bill 1017, the “education” lottery, liquor-by-the drink and more) but we have not fundamentally reformed the way we deliver education in the 21st century or demanded academic rigor in return. Oklahoma must better align our education delivery. Instead of reinforcing silos at different levels of education, Oklahoma needs improved communication and coordination between common education, CareerTech and higher education. This will provide the best outcomes for students’ future success.

Oklahoma must ensure a quality education is accessible to all Oklahoma students because education is a game changer for generations.

NEIGHBORHOODS

Where we raise our families is what really matters, and all Oklahomans deserve to feel secure in their homes and their neighborhoods. Whether it’s a sprawling rural area, a small town, or one of our metro areas, we must improve our communities.

A REAL 77 COUNTY FOCUS: Oklahoma has many shared challenges, but Todd Lamb recognizes some issues are unique to different parts of our state. Each year Todd visits all 77 counties and will continue to do so as Governor.

Regardless of where in this great state we live, Oklahoma’s families should be able to expect quality schools, job and career opportunities, and access to vital infrastructure like health care and good roads. Additionally, we should have the right and freedom to practice our religion of choice and should feel safe and secure in our own home and community.

Transportation infrastructure is a vital need for all of our communities. It is imperative Oklahoma continue the 8-Year Construction Work Plan for repairing and improving our roads and bridges. This plan has been successful in keeping politics out of the decision-making process and ensuring the greatest needs are addressed first. The base line for funding the Oklahoma Department of Transportation should be $775 million.

Oklahoma must be vigilant in our fight against violent crime while making our criminal justice and court systems more efficient. Justice delayed is justice denied, and must be delivered swiftly. Not only does this help provide closure for victims of crime but cutting these delays will save taxpayer money.

Todd Lamb is the only candidate that has authored criminal justice reform legislation. While serving in the state Senate, Todd Lamb worked to pass a bill that created a pilot program to provide diversion programs for female nonviolent offenders.

As Oklahoma reforms the criminal justice system, we must be certain we are making the needed investments in veterans’ administration and drug courts, as well as in rehabilitation services. Simply changing the definition of a crime without providing treatment for that behavior is not a viable option. Criminal justice reform efforts should take a long-term view with a needed focus on how decisions made by the system can affect future generations. The key to long-term public safety is to reduce “adverse childhood experiences” (ACEs) which too often lead to substance abuse.

In every part of our state, Oklahomans should have the freedom to worship and to assemble. Whether it is around the flagpole, posting the Ten Commandments or praying before a high school football game, Oklahoma must be committed to protecting our individual religious liberties.

ECONOMIC GROWTH Oklahoma must diversify its economy so we are no longer at the mercy of fluctuations in the world’s commodity markets. Energy and agriculture remain the backbone of our economy. Todd Lamb is uniquely qualified to focus on economic development and recruitment of new types of businesses and jobs to our state.

The healthiest way to improve our economy, as it will bring new dollars to the state, is to increase our exports. One component of Todd’s plan is to appoint the state’s first ever Secretary of International Trade who will be a bridge between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Commerce. This individual will have the sole focus of increasing Oklahoma’s exports. Diversification is not just about diversifying our products, but also in diversifying the customer base for the products we produce.

Oklahoma has just under 4 million people, not enough people to buy, want, consume, use or purchase everything we grow, extract, manufacture and fabricate in our state. The great advantage and opportunity we have in rural development and agriculture specifically, is exporting agricultural commodities. Taiwan has over 20 million mouths to feed and backs to clothe. We must increase the exports we have already with countries like Taiwan and other Pacific Rim countries.

Additionally, the United Kingdom has Brexit pending, with an implementation date of March 2019. That is over 65 million people. Those two countries alone amount to nearly 90 million people that need Oklahoma’s agricultural products.

As Governor, Todd Lamb will have a focus on rural exports across Oklahoma, to try to be the first in line with countries like the United Kingdom as they leave the European Union. They are going to need the United States, and particularly Oklahoma, more than ever.

Oklahoma should be a leader in manufacturing. With low energy costs, overall low cost of living and our central geography, Oklahoma is primed to take advantage of Trump’s national tax reforms which are bringing manufacturing companies back to the United States. We already have a proven record in this sector, but more needs to be done.

By improving our education system and ultimately our workforce, we will encourage employers to both grow existing operations in the state as well as bring new job creators here. Oklahoma must be vigilant to not allow our tax structure to become a hindrance to economic growth.

Todd Lamb has already proven his ability to connect with job creators and CEOs and successfully encourage their investment in Oklahoma. As Governor, Todd will continue these efforts which have helped communities all across Oklahoma.

WORK Work is what it will take to make Oklahoma better. Our citizens deserve a government that works, an education system that works, and our students must be prepared to work. Todd Lamb will work with Oklahomans from every corner of the state to be a part of tapping into our unique pioneering spirit to renew Oklahoma for the next generation.

Work stands for workforce development, with a focus on our CareerTech and higher education systems. We need these systems to thrive in order to provide working opportunities for the next generation. We must also ensure that higher education is both affordable and accessible.

Oklahoma needs a leader to tackle these important components to RENEW Oklahoma. To achieve success in RENEWing Oklahoma, it will take work and a leader who has the knowledge and drive necessary. Todd Lamb is that leader.

Todd Lamb is committed to working hard to turn Oklahoma around. Just as he has done for the past eight years, Todd Lamb will visit each of Oklahoma’s 77 counties at least once every year. It is important to always remember the people should be talking to the government and the government should be responsive to the people – not the other way around. Oklahomans should not be forced to go to the state capitol to have their voice heard – the capitol needs to come to them.

Experience and the knowledge of how government works differentiates Todd Lamb from the other candidates. With Todd Lamb, there will be no on-the-job training. Todd understands state government, has previously exposed inefficiencies, knows how the system works and how to fix it. That is why the change Oklahomans want and deserve will start on Todd Lamb’s first day in office.

Throughout his administration, Todd Lamb will work to restore the trust of voters and job creators. He will do this by listening all across the state, doing the hard work of implementing real reforms and by fundamentally changing the culture of state government.^[14]

PRIORITIZING GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY

The success of state agencies shouldn’t be just about bigger budgets. Success is when the state consistently delivers core service to Oklahomans in a cost-effective, efficient manner. Without line-item budgeting, it’s impossible to know which agencies steward their resources well, which is why I will fight for accountability and transparency. I will implement and standardize audits and hold each agency accountable for how our tax dollars are spent, just like I have done in the private sector the last 19 years.

• Reduce and streamline the 400 agencies, boards, and commissions.
• Give the governor more accountability to fire underperforming agency leaders that are in appointed positions.
• Audit all agencies, establish performance metrics for each agency and hold the agency heads and board members accountable for meeting goals that move us toward being a Top Ten state.
• Budget all state funds. Currently, much of the budget is untouchable by the Legislature. It is time every state agency is held accountable and transparency is enforced.
• Require a line item budget. Currently, the General Appropriations bill gives more than 80 state agencies a big chunk of money. It is hard for the Legislature or the public to see how the money will be used. A line item budget will allow the public to see the spending and for elected officials to more effectively eliminate wasteful spending.

REFORMING OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM

Oklahoma leads the nation in cuts to education funding. Our teachers are underpaid and leaving the state in droves. Too much money fails to reach the classrooms and some school districts have resorted to four-day school weeks. Our leaders are failing our students, our families, and jeopardizing our future. Enough is enough. I will prioritize students and funding for the classroom and invest in the teachers that make a difference every day. It’s time to restore respect to teachers!

• Raise teacher pay so that it matches the pay of teachers in our six-state footprint. With 95 percent of Oklahoma children attending public schools, we must ensure those on the front lines of teaching our children receive the support they need to succeed.
• Require line item budgeting for the Education Department. With added transparency and accountability, we will be able to better force more education dollars into the classroom room from the $2.5 billion that goes to the Department of Education.
• Review ways to empower local communities to best fund the needs of their local schools. I love what we are seeing in Western Oklahoma where energy development is taking schools off the state funding formula and allowing for higher teacher pay. But we still have many counties without these commodities. I like the policy proposed by a conservative group of House legislators to give schools the flexibility to use part of their current property tax revenue on teacher pay instead of being restricted to buildings and infrastructure.
• Expand the use of video technology to deliver AP classes across our state, especially in rural areas where we have bright, hardworking youth but not enough certified teachers. Our farmers and ranchers should not be faced with putting their children on a bus for more than an hour just to access quality education opportunities. Technology must play a stronger role in how we look to the future of delivering our state’s basic, vital public services.
• Recruit, train and retain great teachers. In a Stitt administration, Kevin will call for the Legislature to create a temporary program to provide $5,000 bonuses to certified teachers who are teaching in Oklahoma for the first time. This will help to incentivize the 400 students graduating from our Oklahoma universities with education degrees to stay and boost our state’s recruitment efforts. A recent survey shows Oklahoma has 536 vacant teaching positions for the next school year. We have gone from 32 emergency certifications six years ago to nearly 2,000 today. Kevin is ready to help lead the state in reversing the trend.

EXPANDING ECONOMIC PROSPERITY

As I travel the country visiting my 165 field offices for Gateway Mortgage, I see firsthand the growth and momentum many of the other states are experiencing. In 2016, Oklahoma had -3% GDP growth. In 2017, our state faced a $900 million budget deficit. Too many of our children and grandchildren are leaving the state for better opportunities. I refuse to sit back and let this continue. As governor, I will be committed to growth and prosperity for our entire state. How are we going to do this?

• Capitalize on President Trump’s tax cuts that are leveling the playing field for America to compete in the global market place. With companies moving jobs back to the U.S. and repatriating dollars, Oklahoma is prime to attract this opportunity and diversify our economy with the right kind of leadership. On my first day as governor, the nation will know that Oklahoma is open for business.
• Recruit, recruit, recruit. Several years ago, Oklahoma ended its business recruitment programs in other states. Around the same time, Texas and Arkansas ramped up their recruitment efforts. As governor, I will be committed to being on the front lines of recruiting new business to Oklahoma. As a CEO, I will know how to speak the language of job creators and ensure our state signs good contracts that won’t put us at a disadvantage in the future.
• Licensing reform, leveraging the new data base built by the Labor Commission. We need to cut unnecessary red tape and remove wasteful licensing fees for job creators in Oklahoma. The percentage of the Oklahoma workforce licensed by the state is 25 percent — higher than all but 11 states.

ADVANCING PRO-LIFE PRIORITIES

As a Christian and father of six, Kevin knows that there is no gift more precious than a child. Kevin Stitt is strongly pro-life. He believes human life begins at conception and he will fight to protect the rights of the unborn in Oklahoma and across the nation.

PROTECTING SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS

Kevin Stitt will fight to protect Oklahomans’ Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. He is a member of the National Rifle Association.

IMPROVING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE

Our infrastructure needs immediate attention. Our economic future and the safety of our citizens are at stake. Budget holes and political gamesmanship have crippled maintenance and improvements in roads, bridges, dams and other vital infrastructure. We can no longer kick the can down the road. I will implement a comprehensive, long-term infrastructure plan that provides solutions for our community and paves the way for the high level economic growth that Oklahoma needs.

FOSTERING A HEALTHY OKLAHOMA

State Medicaid spending is out of control. Since 2003, our Medicaid spending ballooned 194% from $714 million to $2.1 billion. No other area of the state budget grew as quickly forcing hospitals to cut core services. I will fight to provide options to our families with quality healthcare while protecting our most vulnerable. For those that fall on hard times, Medicaid must be a trampoline, not a hammock. I will put a stop to the fraud, waste and abuse to ensure the health and future of Oklahomans.

• Audit Medicaid. Both Republican and Democrat states are doing this. The Pew Charitable Trusts reports that Oklahoma had the 11th largest increase in state Medicaid spending as a share of the total state budget over the last decade.
• Address the $30 million mess at the Department of Health and get the agency on track to being a Top Ten performing agency for the state. Establish performance metrics and hold the agency leaders accountable.
• Sell health insurance across state lines to stimulate competition and reduce premiums. The Legislature passed a bill in 2017 authorizing the selling of insurance across state lines, but there are many obstacles to its implementation. I will work with the new insurance commissioner to negotiate compacts with other states to bring about this much-needed competition.
• Bring more telemedicine to rural Oklahoma.^[14]