Capital City: Gov. Kevin Stitt takes office
Good Tuesday morning.
Just after noon Monday, Kevin Stitt became an insider. At least that's how The Oklahoman's Chris Casteel put it in an analysis piece following Stitt's inauguration yesterday.
"The new governor said in his inaugural speech that state government wasn't the answer to all those problems, but his administration will be measured by the progress Oklahoma makes in education, criminal justice reform, infrastructure and economic diversity — areas that are at least partly under the purview of the state," Casteel wrote.
Yesterday was a day of festivities ... Stitt was inaugurated as Oklahoma’s 28th governor, promising to bring Oklahomans a new sense of pride in their state following an era of budget turmoil and a continued plunge on a variety of quality of life metrics.
“It’s this pride that will allow us to move forward together – not as Republicans or Democrats, but as Oklahomans locked hand-in-hand, arm-in-arm,” said Stitt, 46, who built a national mortgage company in Tulsa before entering the 2018 gubernatorial race as a political unknown.
The inaugural ball was also held last night in Oklahoma City.
Many of the state's top political leaders were in attendance and we spoke with several on camera ...
(WATCH) Former Gov. Frank Keating: "What Kevin Stitt brings is a successful business career, a young family ... very bright and very determined to make Oklahoma a top 10 place. I think the problems of Oklahoma will be relevant to him and he will be in a position to do something about it."
(WATCH) House Speaker Charles McCall: "I think each understands in the House and Senate, and Gov. Stitt as well, that it takes all three branches to move the state of Oklahoma forward."
(WATCH) Donelle Harder, Stitt's selection for deputy secretary of state: "I believe Kevin Stitt is the governor of Oklahoma because he put the people first. The real bread and butter of our campaign was we held over 300 town halls."
(WATCH) Rep. Jason Dunnington, D-Oklahoma City: "I supported (Stitt's) opponent ... but I think we should all want him to be successful. I have a 12-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter and their lives will get better if this state gets better."
Stitt asked banks to accommodate federal employees ... Stitt instructed the Oklahoma Banking Department to issue a letter to banks across the state asking them to show flexibility with federal workers who may be struggling to make a car or mortgage payment during the on going federal government shutdown.
Federal Aviation Administration employees picket outside airport ... Few, if any, economic sectors have been hit harder by the partial government shutdown than aviation, a major employer in the Oklahoma City area. About 1,750 FAA employees in the city have been furloughed or are working without pay. Some contractors at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center also are furloughed and Transportation Security Administration agents at the airport are not being paid.
New license plate options ... The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality on Monday announced its two new environmental license plate designs are available for purchase. One features a bison on the prairie, and one depicts a sunset over a field of flowers, reports the Tulsa World.
Thanks for reading. Got questions, suggestions or complaints? Email me at bfelder@oklahoman.com.
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Ben Felder is an investigative reporter for The Oklahoman. A native of Kansas City, Ben has lived in Oklahoma City since 2010 and covered politics, education and local government for the Oklahoma Gazette before joining The Oklahoman in 2016.... Read more ›