Oklahoma’s 28th governor, Kevin Stitt, officially took office on Monday.
After being sworn in by Oklahoma Supreme Court Vice Chief Justice Noma Gurich, Stitt gave a 15-minute inaugural speech that echoed the themes of his campaign but held off on policy proposals.
"We know we can be and should be a top-10 state. Why? Because we are Oklahoma, proud of our hard-working, God-fearing people," Stitt said.
Stitt said Oklahoma’s turnaround starts with increased government accountability and transparency. Stitt hinted he will move to tighten the reins on state agencies and said the current system gives them too much independence from voters.
"They have the ability to ignore executive orders, skirt around laws passed by the legislature, hide pockets of money and protect their own interests by hiring lobbyists. To my fellow Oklahomans, this much change if we’re going to move the needle," Stitt said.
Stitt said Oklahomans must see every tax dollar accounted for.
Stitt said economic growth is central to his administration’s approach, so the state will be "open for business."
"We will ask ourselves, 'Does this new bill, does this new investment, does this regulation grow Oklahoma?' We are at our best when people are gainfully employed, when wages are improving, when people have freedom to innovate and access to opportunity," Stitt said.
Stitt also said criminal justice reform efforts started under Governor Mary Fallin will continue.
