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Oklahoma Senate
Senate Leader Wants"Good News" Told About State
Saying good news is often overlooked by state leaders and others, a Senate leader has unveiled a new publication designed to tell the success stories of Oklahoma. Oklahoma Pride will be distributed by Senator Keith Leftwich every week during the legislative session.
"It seems all too often when you turn on the T.V. or pick up a newspaper, you see someone saying something bad about Oklahoma," said Senator Leftwich, the Majority Whip of the Oklahoma Senate.
"A lot of good things have been happening in our state, but unfortunately, they don't get the same publicity that the negatives do. That needs to change."
The legislator from South Oklahoma City pointed to the first issue of Oklahoma Pride as a perfect example of the impact repetitive bad news can have on a state, especially when the news isn't true in the first place. The publication quoted a recent study that said Oklahoma is leading its region in economic growth, yet Oklahoma purchasing managers are the most pessimistic about the state's economy.
"We're getting national accolades for our economic growth, but it's not being recognized in Oklahoma. Sometimes it seems the bad things that have been said about Oklahoma, most of which are untrue, have started to stick. That kills our economic development efforts," said Senator Leftwich.
The Senate leader is hoping his new publication will help set the record straight about Oklahoma, reminding people about all the good things that are being accomplished in the state.
"I want this publication to instill just what its name implies. Oklahomans should be proud of our state and its accomplishments, and shouldn't be afraid to wear that pride as a badge of honor," added Senator Leftwich.
"If we can all be positive about our state, it will enhance the image we project to others, and improve our economic development efforts nationwide."
"Oklahoma Pride"
A Weekly Update on all of the Good News about Oklahoma
Because much of the good news about our state is sometimes overlooked by state leaders and others, many positive developments and success stories in Oklahoma go unreported. It is our hope that "Oklahoma Pride," a weekly publication of the Oklahoma Senate, will ensure that the best stories about Oklahoma are told.
For example, this week in Oklahoma, did you know that......
The Oklahoma economy is ranked among the ten best in the nation, according to a new report from Arizona State University. ASU economists say Oklahoma has been a top 10 performer in job growth for two consecutive months. The same study ranked Oklahoma City and Lawton among the top 50 cities with the best job production.
Additionally, Oklahoma's economic growth led the nine-state Mid-America region in January, according to a monthly business index prepared by Creighton University. Oklahoma's economy was performing better than Arkansas, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska and North and South Dakota. Oklahoma has consistently led the region in the monthly business tracking reports for the past year.
Interestingly, despite Oklahoma's strong economic performance, the Creighton index noted that Oklahoma purchasing managers are the most pessimistic in the region. Maybe that's because they believe all the bad and inaccurate economic news some of our state leaders have been peddling. Let's change those attitudes by focusing on the real success stories!
