Steve visits Mrs. Talley's 2nd grade class at Washington Elementary.
Steve visits Mrs. Talley's 2nd grade class at Washington Elementary.
Steve has devoted his life to seeing that young people receive quality educations. His knowledge and diverse skills in education, business and scuba diving have always been at his students' disposal. He knows that today's students will be tomorrow's leaders so he has worked tirelessly to see that Oklahoma offers our young people the skills which will allow them to not only compete but lead at a global level.
- STEVE BELIEVES -
EDUCATION
Young people are without a doubt Oklahoma's most precious resource. They are the future and Steve knows this. Steve dedicated thirty-one years to the education profession. He has served on committees ranging from local to international levels so that his students can receive quality educations and opportunities.
He realizes that different students have different talents and those talents should be nurtured. This is why Steve is opposed to budget cuts in education. Cutting budgets means cutting programs and that takes students' opportunities away from them. Don't take opportunities away from them. Offer them more.
Steve is dedicated to taking measures to prevent "brain drain," teachers leaving the state or leaving the education profession in search of a better salary. He believes that teachers should be compensated for being the professionals they are.
SAFE HAVENS
Steve agrees with educators throughout the state that schools should be safe havens. Recent legislation that gives administrators and faculty the authority to carry weapons in the classroom is not the solution to school safety. "I have taken weapons off of students in years past," states Steve. "You don't throw gasoline on a fire to put it out." Steve wants to carry legislation which he will call the Safe Havens Act. This act will take the combined efforts of teachers, administrators, law enforcement officials and, yes, the TSA to assure that our students can learn in a safe environment.
MENTAL HEALTH
Steve acknowledges that mental health services for Oklahomans have diminished greatly over the past ten years. He will support all measures to offer services to those who need them so they may return to living productive lives.
WATER
Watere is one of Oklahoma's most precious natural resources and it must be protected. As many of you know, a portion of Senate District 13 is positioned above the Arbuckle Simpson Aquafer. Steve is aware of the efforts that have been made in years past to sell that water. He is adamantly opposed to any efforts that would diminish this aquafer. Steve has said repeatedly, "If people want our water let them move here. Let them bring their families, their businesses and their resources to this region. We have people here who can and would love to build them homes, beautiful homes." Steve believes that water is vital to our economic growth and future.
ENERGY
Oklahoma is a world leader in the natural gas industry. Steve believes that we should seek measures to have more cars run off of CNG.