Frank Keating advises lawmakers work together; if the USS America goes down, we all go down
Editor's note: In light of the current political climate, we asked Oklahoma's former governors to share their insights on collaboration from their experiences as head of state.
If Will Rogers could embrace speaking space with groups of noisy Republicans and noisy Democrats, why can’t we? He was a Democrat with a Republican Phrase Book. Public policy debates are not arguments between churches or disparate cultures and languages. They are idea clashes between and among fellow Americans, ostensibly to make our country better, safer and stronger. We are all on one ship. If the USS America goes down, we all go down together.
I served as a Republican governor with overwhelming Democratic legislative majorities. I was at the table with lunker Democrats and a sprinkle of Republicans. But we made huge headway. I vetoed 302 of the bills that came to my desk. None were overridden. Together, we put Right to Work in the Constitution. Worked with our tribal partners. Enacted the first charter school law. Completed the turnpikes. Connected every town of 10,000 or more by a four-lane highway to the interstate system. Trimmed the sails of an overreaching trial bar. Created the nation’s first marriage initiative to insist on strong families.
Nationally, we moved from 45th in family income to 37th.
We fussed and fought, but we were equals around the table and we got things done.
Oklahoma was better as a result.
Frank Keating served as the 25th governor of Oklahoma.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Frank Keating says we're all on the same ship, the USS America
