Leadership Oklahoma Converges on the Oklahoma State Capitol
Earlier this month, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt hosted Leadership Oklahoma Class 33 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His priorities for 2020 include healthcare (more services, rural access), education (secondary education, career tech, and higher education), judicial (criminal justice), and regulations (current amount is burdensome). He encouraged us to know and identify the areas in which we want to be #1. For example, the University of Oklahoma listed aerospace defense, weather research, and cancer research. Oklahoma State University listed biotech (opiod research), unmanned aircraft, and agriculture.
Clayton Taylor, President, The Taylor Group, discussed the background of the term, lobbyist. People would sit in the lobby and wait for an opportunity to catch the person with whom they wanted to discuss an issue. I also learned about the different types of lobbyists: corporate; associations; boards, commissions, and agencies; and contract lobbyists. After this portion of the presentation, I had a better appreciation for the role of lobbyists. Clayton explained that he tries to get to know people because if he gains their trust, then legislators can benefit from his expertise and historical knowledge. I thought it was interesting that it was only until term limits were in place that Republicans were able to unseat the Democratic majority in both houses.
Because I'm also in Leadership Oklahoma City, Inc., I enjoyed the treat of getting to listen to Mayor David Holt 2 days in a row! Having celebrated a landslide victory with MAPS4, the mayor’s intent for 2020 is to gather decisionmakers who can directly improve public education--exciting. His question, “Are all of the right people in the room,” is spot on for #diversity #inclusion and #equity. He also reminded us that local government affects our daily lives the most. He discussed at least one difference between the political paths of a mayor and a legislator. Whereas mayors navigate a nonpartisan process (e.g., civic engagement), legislators are filtered through their respective parties (e.g., platforms, hot button issues). Golden Nugget: The most successful change agents operate at a rate that people can understand and accept.
One of the sessions included a panel comprised of Oklahoma State Senator Chuck Hall; Ada City Manager, Cody Holcomb; and Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith: Cody shared asked some thought-provoking questions:
- In what kind of city do I want to live?
- How much am I willing to pay for it?
- How do we attract people (i.e., residents and visitors) to our city?
He also shared a wonderful tip: Choose historical instead of hysterical.
What questions are you deliberating in your local areas?