Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin seeks personal income tax cut, money for Capitol

“The Capitol is a symbol of our state, a place of business and a living museum dedicated to preserving Oklahoma history, literature and art work,” Fallin said. “It is not right for visitors to be greeted at this building by construction cones, crumbling facades and a faulty sewer system.”

The governor said she is backing a proposal to restore local control to cities and towns regarding tobacco use in public places. Lawmakers failed to advance similar legislation the past two years.

“If communities want to take action to improve the health of their citizens, they should be able to do it,” Fallin said. “Any plan to improve the health of Oklahomans must address the state's No. 1 killer: Tobacco.”

Fallin said she also is asking for a $13.5 million increase to public schools to pay for recently enacted changes. Earlier changes approved but not funded by lawmakers include better reading instruction and end-of-high-school exams in public schools. She also is seeking an $8.5 million supplemental funding request for this fiscal year to pay for teachers' health benefits.