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In Final Tulsa State of the State, Fallin Says She Sees Improved State Finances as Her Legacy

Matt Trotter
/
KWGS

In her last address to Tulsa’s business community, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin said the state is better off than it was eight years ago.

"When I came into office, we had a 6.2 percent unemployment rate, only $2.03 in our savings account," Fallin said Tuesday at the Tulsa State of the State. "Now our unemployment’s gone down to 3.8 percent and we have over $460 million in our savings account. So, it’s going to be leaving our state in a much better, stable position with a large teacher pay raise, too."

Fallin said she sees the state’s improved finances as her legacy, with a lot of that coming down to improved economic conditions.

The Oklahoma Department of Commerce has already lured eight new businesses to the state this fiscal year. They’re expected to bring 895 jobs averaging $60,000 in wages.

Few big deals since last year have been oil-related — the "wins" include medical device makers, aerospace firms and distribution centers.

"We’re slowly but surely diversifying, changing our economy to certainly appreciate the energy sector but also be able to balance out our economy so we don’t have so many of these ups and downs that we’ve been experiencing," Fallin said.

The commerce department helped land more than $6 billion in new investments during Fallin’s two terms.

Fallin also praised efforts during her tenure to improve teacher pay, education, infrastructure and the criminal justice system in the state.

She declined, however, to back anyone to take the reins.

"I’m not going to endorse anyone for governor. You know, I think the people of Oklahoma need to decide. We’ve got a lot of great candidates running for all kinds of offices, and I’m just excited there’s so many people that have good skills and great qualifications willing to run," Fallin said.

The Republican gubernatorial runoff election next week is between former Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and Gateway Mortgage founder Kevin Stitt. The winner will advance to the November general election against Democrat and former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson.

Fallin said her immediate plans after her term ends include staying in Oklahoma and spending time with her first grandchild.

Matt Trotter joined KWGS as a reporter in 2013. Before coming to Public Radio Tulsa, he was the investigative producer at KJRH. His freelance work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and on MSNBC and CNN.