Askins, Fallin speak at OIPA conference
BY DEON J. HAMPTON World Staff Writer
Monday, September 13, 2010
9/13/10 at 7:00 AM
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Oklahoma's Republican and Democratic gubernatorial nominees spoke Sunday night on the importance of the energy sector to the state.
U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin of the GOP and Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, a Democrat, spoke separately during the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association's Fall Conference.
Addressing about 200 people, Askins said technology has allowed the oil sector to thrive and that it's important for Oklahoma to be a leader in energy.
She said she believed in renewable energy and that if she was elected governor, she would "develop an energy plan and create synergy."
Askins emphasized that Oklahoma has some of the smartest people who know about energy and that those people need to remain in the state.
Fallin said the oil and gas industry is Oklahoma's friend, noting that one in seven Oklahomans is employed through the energy sector.
"My goal as governor would be to stimulate the oil and gas industry in the state and support the Legislature for incentives for oil and gas production," she said.
Fallin also said she would attempt to get Oklahoma's economy back on track, lower taxes for energy and reform the workers' compensation system.
Each nominee had 10 minutes to speak and then take questions from the audience at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center, 6808 South 107th East Ave.
Askins and Fallin will face off in the Nov. 2 general election, in which one of them will become the state's first female governor.
Askins, who was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 1994, became its first female Democratic leader.
She was elected in 2006 as the lieutenant governor.
Fallin, too, has been a member of the House and the lieutenant governor. She was elected to the House in 1990 and served two terms, then ran for lieutenant governor in 1994.
She held the office for 12 years until her election to Congress in 2006.
The nominees announced last month that they would participate in two debates next month.
Their first "presidential-style" debate will begin at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.
It is being sponsored by the university.
The second debate will begin at 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa. It is being sponsored by the Tulsa Metro Chamber.
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Original Print Headline: Askins, Fallin tell energy producers about their goals
Deon J. Hampton 581-8413
deon.hampton@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Oklahoma's gubernatorial nominees — Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, (left) a Democrat, and U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin, a Republican — spoke separately Sunday during the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association's Fall Conference. SHERRY BROWN / Tulsa World
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