By M. Scott Carter
Transcript Staff Writer
MOORE — Despite its flat economy, Oklahoma is in good shape, a south Oklahoma City senator said Thursday.
State Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson — whose district includes a portion of Moore — said the “state of the state is very good.”
Wilcoxson made the statement during a State of the State luncheon sponsored by the Moore Chamber of Commerce. “We have one of the best economies right now,” she said. “Even though it is flat, we’re seeing our economy is very strong.”
Luncheon organizers originally planned for Wilcoxson to be joined by three other lawmakers: state Sen. Jim Reynolds and state Reps. Randy Terrill and Paul Wesselhoft. However, neither Reynolds, Terrill nor Wesselhoft attended Thursday’s luncheon at Moore’s First Baptist Church.
“I’m glad the guys didn’t come,” Wilcoxson quipped. “That means I get their time.”
Speaking about the state’s economy, Wilcoxson said lawmakers will send a “pretty flat” budget to Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry.
That budget, state officials said, will total about $7.1 billion.
“It’s pretty much a standstill budget,” she said. “With regards to any agency getting additional funding.”
Wilcoxson also praised Oklahoma’s Constitutional term limit for legislators.
That amendment, passed by a statewide vote more than a decade ago, forces members of the Legislature out of office after 12 years of service.
“Term limits have been very good for Oklahoma,” she said. “Oklahoma voters did a good job when they passed the amendment. It’s made a difference here. It’s brought an infusion of new legislation.”
Wilcoxson herself will be forced to leave office after the 2008 legislative session. “Even though it hurts to be fired, the idea was a good one,” she said.
Additionally, Wilcoxson said lawmakers are working to stabilize funding for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
“I know transportation funding is very important to the residents here. And we want to remove the trigger on transportation funding.”
Previous laws, she said, placed a “trigger” on ODOT funding which only goes into effect when state revenue reaches a certain level. When the level is reached, additional revenue is earmarked for ODOT.
However, because of recent revenue shortfalls, the transportation department hasn’t received additional funding since the trigger was not used.
“We’re trying to change that,” she said.
A former schoolteacher, Wilcoxson said she hoped to return to teaching once her term in the Legislature ends.
“I’m looking forward to going back and teaching school,” she said. “But I’m not going to tell you where because I still have to sign a contract.”
Wilcoxson said she “hoped” she got the teaching job because “it would be awful if I didn’t.”
State lawmakers are required by law to adjourn the legislative session by 5 p.m. May 30.
M. Scott Carter366-3545scarter@normantranscript.com
