Building a brighter future for Oklahoma by…
Helping small businesses create JOBS for the state, improving EDUCATION, and investing in TRANSPORTATION infrastructure that is the key to commerce!
Jobs
The economy in the OKC metro has remained stronger than in the rest of the country, but we have not been immune from the economic slowdown—the unemployment rate in Oklahoma has nearly doubled in the last year.
Incentives for small businesses to create good jobs in Oklahoma and attracting new jobs to the district should be a major focus of our representatives in the legislature. Rep. Kern has been described by The Journal Record as bad for business.
House District 84 deserves a representative who will fight for good jobs and economic development. Businesses small and large depend on consumers who have good jobs that can afford the goods and services they provide. Brittany will be an advocate at the Capitol for reasonable investment of our tax dollars on local projects that will create good jobs, spur economic development, and help build a brighter future for Oklahoma.
Public Education
Our public schools are the cornerstone of our society. Oklahoma has done well in education because we’ve had some of the most qualified and dedicated teachers in the country. Oklahoma’s teachers have helped Oklahoma become a national model for public Pre-K programs—ranking No. 1 in the percentage of four year olds attending public school programs. Our teachers and our parents have helped Oklahoma remain significantly above the national average for high school graduation rate. Our teachers provide one of the most important services to our communities, and Oklahoma’s teachers have been doing a tremendous job. Despite this record of excellence, Oklahoma’s teachers are some of the lowest paid in the country.
According to the state Regents, the number of Oklahoma students entering teaching programs has decreased 24% in the last decade. At the same time, we’re facing some of the highest retirement numbers we’ve seen in years. It’s anticipated that nearly half of Oklahoma’s current teachers will retire in the next ten years. There is just no question that we will need more teachers, and to get more teachers we’re going to have to give teachers the pay that they merit.
Because of the budget crunch in 2010, school districts all over Oklahoma were forced to lay off teachers. Putnam City Schools alone laid off 40 teachers. House District 84 deserves an advocate who will fight to keep teachers in the classroom, so our class sizes remain manageable and optimal for student involvement and learning.
Brittany’s professional background has given her the skills to be a strong advocate at the Capitol for Oklahoma’s teachers. She’ll work to build a bi-partisan consensus to invest in our teachers and our public education system to help build a brighter future for Oklahoma.
Transportation Infrastructure
Oklahomans have a deeply independent history, with a pioneering spirit. We love being able to get up and go get things done, and we rely on highways, roads, bridges, rail, and air travel to get where we need to go. Small businesses, the engine of our local economy, directly benefit from investments in transportation infrastructure. House District 84 deserves a representative who will stay focused on making sure that Oklahoma has the best transportation infrastructure, so that Oklahomans can travel safely and businesses will continue to see Oklahoma as a great place to be located.
Brittany has heard from many Oklahomans that want more transportation options. While many Oklahomans still prefer to get around in personal automobiles, evidence suggests that more and more people are looking for rail and other public transit options. Expanded passenger rail service could provide Oklahomans with a new opportunity for economic growth, while also benefiting the environment.
Brittany has spoken to scores of voters in House District 84 who have mentioned public transit as a major issue. Seniors, in particular, indicate that they are having trouble driving these days, but they have no other dependable way to get around. Economic impact studies show that dependable public transit lines enhance economic development. Brittany believes state and local governments must work together to make better public transit options a reality for all Oklahomans.
