U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin brought her early campaign for governor to Norman Tuesday, telling fellow Republicans she wants to reform the state’s tax and worker's comensation laws, streamline and combine agencies and make Oklahoma a magnet for businesses and retirees.
Speaking to the Cleveland County GOP club, the Fifth District Congresswoman said she is ready to return to Oklahoma and continue the reforms that she helped start as a state legislator and former lieutenant governor.
“After all the work we have done, there is still so much to do,” Fallin said.
She singled out Gov. Brad Henry for his veto on bills related to education and workers comp reform. Fallin said she wanted to use the governorship to enact policies that would transform Oklahoma from a “good state to a great state.” Fallin said the current administration's energy policy will be devastating to Oklahoma oil producers. She said other states are moving to raise taxes on millionaires.
Addressing the debate over changes in the nation's health care system, Fallin said she thinks members of Congress will get an earful while they are home in August.
“When members go home this month, the people of America will stand up and say we do not want a system of socialized medicine in America.”
Her five campaign planks include:
· Reconstitute the Fallin Commission, a group looking at workers compensation, and demand a report within 90 days.
· More work on tort reform. She applauded recent changes but says more can be done.
· Modernize state government through agency elimination and making better use of technology.
· Address shortcomings of common education. · Keep taxes low so as to attract retirees and businesses to the state.
Later Fallin toured the National Weather Center and SouthWest NanoTechnologies.
The Cleveland County Republican Club meets at 11:30 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn on the first Tuesday of each month. On Sept. 1, the group will hear a debate on the nation’s Constitution.
