Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt’s Call for State Leadership at the ALEC Annual Meeting

(Denver, Colorado) – In a fervent speech delivered at the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) 51st Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt laid out his vision for the future of conservative governance. Addressing an audience of state lawmakers and policy advocates, Stitt’s remarks ranged from education reform to energy policy, all underpinned by his belief in the primacy of state leadership and the dangers of excessive federal intervention.

“Government is not the solution to our problems. Most of the time, government is the problem.”

A Commitment to Principles

At the heart of Gov. Stitt’s address was a passionate defense of state sovereignty and the role of local governance in preserving the American dream.

“Let Washington, D.C. play politics. Let’s just go make Oklahoma a top 10 in everything that we do, and we’re getting it done.”

For Gov. Stitt, the states are not just administrative units but the bedrock of American democracy, with state legislators positioned as the true defenders of the nation’s values.

A Vision of Education Reform

The Oklahoma Governor’s speech also took a sharp turn into education freedom, a topic that has become increasingly important at the state level in recent years. Condemning what he described as the overreach of teachers’ unions and the failure of some schools to adequately prepare students for the workforce, Stitt touted Oklahoma’s approach to education freedom reforms, which he described as the best in the nation.

Oklahoma’s educational reforms, particularly the passage of a refundable education tax credit, allowed every family to choose the best educational environment for their children. The new policy, he argued, levels the playing field by providing every family in Oklahoma with the same opportunity.

“The rich people, they already have school choice. But Oklahoma just gave that to every single family in our state.”

Energy Policy and Government Overreach

Gov. Stitt’s critique extended beyond education to the broader issue of government overreach, particularly in the energy sector. He lambasted the Biden administration for its policies on energy production, characterizing them as an attack on American industry and a driver of rising costs.

He highlighted Oklahoma as a leader in this area, explaining the state’s success in balancing energy sources. Their “all of the above” approach, where government does not pick winners and losers but instead allows the market to determine the best energy sources, has produced a diverse energy portfolio that includes being both fossil fuels and renewable energy.

“We love renewables. We just don’t think the government should pick winners and losers.”

A Call for Fiscal Responsibility

The governor’s speech was also marked by a deep concern for the nation’s fiscal future, as he warned of the dangers posed by the growing national debt. Gov. Stitt painted a bleak picture of the federal government’s financial practices, comparing them to an individual who pays only interest on a loan without ever touching the principal. Instead, he suggested a balanced budget amendment and invoked the wisdom of Ronald Reagan and Warren Buffett, arguing that fiscal discipline is not just a matter of economic necessity but of moral responsibility.

“We need to pass a law that says that no one in Congress can run for re-election if they don’t pass a balanced budget.”

Gov. Stitt’s address served as a rallying cry for concerned lawmakers to assert their influence at the state level and resist what he views as the overreach of federal authority. It was a speech that not only outlined policy positions but also sought to rekindle the spirit of American exceptionalism through a return to foundational principles.

“The founders of our country envisioned a country where there is no limitation to what one person can achieve, and it’s our job to make sure government isn’t one of those limitations.”

With those words, Gov. Stitt left the audience with a clear directive: to lead boldly, to govern wisely, and to ensure that the American dream remains within reach for all.