Good News This Week
July 16th, 2010
Hello again, everyone! Let me begin this week’s column with thanks from my entire family for all the prayers being lifted up for my son, Jacob.
As readers of the “Senate Minute” know, Jacob was in a body cast for six weeks. About a week-and-a-half ago, his femur had healed to where the cast could be removed. Then, we began the long process of rehabilitation.
Jacob is making tremendous progress, and he took his first steps in almost two months this week. It was not graceful, but it was walking and it was – to us – as great a miracle as his first steps as a toddler. The prayers so many of you have said for him are helping his recovery, and Deena and I are deeply grateful.
Oklahoma also got good news this week. Revenue collections show some strength, giving us hope that we are past the devastating revenue shortfalls that cut state services to the bone.
I remain concerned the ill-advised decision to suspend several tax credit programs – especially those targeted to boost rural economies – will weaken our ability to attract new jobs to the state. Still, these latest revenue numbers are encouraging.
Throughout the national recession, Oklahoma has fared better than most states. That is because of our work ethic and policies, on which I have worked so hard, to keep our economy strong and our tax structure business- and family-friendly.
More good news was a decision by a U.S. Federal Court to dismiss Texas’ lawsuit to grab Oklahoma’s water resources. Late this week, a U.S. district judge ruled against the Tarrant County Water District. That district sued Oklahoma, saying our moratorium against out-of-state water transfers is unconstitutional.
While this court fight is far from over, this is the second major victory Oklahoma has won. The bottom line is this: Critical resources like water must be used to secure the economic future of the region where the water originates.
That is why I introduced legislation to ensure that if a large-scale transfer of water resources happens, the basin of origin would share in payments that come to the state. The Republican leadership in the Senate refused to allow that bill to be considered, preferring to grab such payments for the state treasury in Oklahoma City.
That is another reason why we must fight these transfers. The battle to preserve our natural resources is an ongoing effort. It did not end with our success in preserving the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer. In many ways, that was just the first battle in a long war.
Resources like water provide unlimited opportunities for economic growth. To have it stripped from rural areas like ours without the ability to grow our economy is a slap in the face we simply cannot allow to happen. You may rest assured it is fight in which I will never surrender.
Thanks for reading this week’s “Senate Minute.” Have a great week, and may God bless you all.