COMMENTARY: Free Market wins in 2015 Oklahoma legislative session


Oklahoma took several steps in the right direction this legislative session. Marked by key policy victories on an array of important and impactful issues, Americans For Prosperity Oklahoma successfully led efforts to protect Oklahoma taxpayers, small businesses and the free market.

Assisted by more than 35,000 Oklahoma activists, AFP-OK led passage of Senate Bill 676, a bill to block the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s attempt to increase regulation carbon emissions. As a result, Oklahoma energy consumers and their pocketbooks were shielded from unnecessary government overreach. We will continue to fight against EPA overreach and work with Attorney General Scott Pruitt and Senator Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, to make our state’s case stronger.

AFP-OK continued advance economic growth in Oklahoma. We fought efforts by liberal organizations to halt the state income tax cut scheduled to take effect next January. Our organization helped to pass this important tax cut last year, and we worked to stop attempts this session that would have turned back the clock on Oklahoma’s economic progress.

By supporting ride-sharing legislation, AFP-OK advocated to keep free-market operations in the state like Uber and Lyft. 
This will keep Oklahoma a competitive state for future economic growth.

We removed the state’s obligation to collect teacher union dues, thus protecting Oklahomans’ paychecks by championing the passage of House Bill 1749. Our organization also supported House Bill 1963 protecting taxpayers from unfair assessments and inflated tax values.

Through the efforts of AFP-OK and multiple coalition partners, legislation was passed this session to increase the educational opportunities for all Oklahoma children through the statewide expansion of charter schools. We also fought every effort to expand Medicaid under ObamaCare in Oklahoma this session, and we will continue to oppose Medicaid expansion in our state in the future.

AFP-OK is proud of our accomplishments. Our mission, however, is far from over.

We hope that Oklahomans will join with us in coming months to advance the ideals of limited government, reduce government red tape and inspire economic opportunity for every Oklahoman.

NOTE: John Tidwell is state director of Americans For Prosperity Oklahoma. You can learn more about the organization at www.afpok.org.