Job Growth at Forefront of State of the State Address in Tulsa - KTUL.com - Tulsa, Oklahoma - News, Weather & Sports

Job Growth at Forefront of State of the State Address in Tulsa

Governor Mary Fallin spoke before more than 1,000 people at a Convention Center lunch hosted by the Chamber of Commerce Tuesday.

Governor Fallin spoke about Oklahoma's successes with employment. She said Oklahoma is third in the nation at job creation, and similarly, Oklahoma's third in small business creation. It is also first in manufacturing job growth. The state unemployment is 4.7 percent. Governor Fallin said all 77 counties in Oklahoma have seen unemployment drop.

She also spoke about Oklahoma's rainy day fund. She said there was $2.03 in the fund when she took office and there is now about $600 million.

She said there are a few challenges to Oklahoma's growth. She said the state needs education reform, because poorly trained workers, "won't do us any good." Also, she said her administration is working with the Department of Commerce to match workers with businesses in sectors like aerospace and energy.

Governor Fallin said she is also working with other governors to convert state fleet cars to natural gas vehicles. She said Tulsa's garbage trucks have already done this. She said it promotes American resources and American job growth. She said it is cleaner and costs less.