Thread by @CathJSweeney

The debate is starting. You can tune in now. Kelly Ogle of OKC @NEWS9 and Terry Hood of Tulsa @NewsOn6 are hosting.

First question, Ogle: Do you believe Oklahoma is headed in the right direction?

Cornett: “The citizens of Oklahoma should be very upset.” Points to several economic and political failures and contrasts them with achievements in Oklahoma City. “i want to bring the same sort of success to all corners of Oklahoma.”

Stitt: “Folks, the state is broken.” We can’t fix the state with more of the same. We need an outsider. We also need more accountability. “The agency heads are running amok.” Points to OSDH scandal.

Hood: The Legislature has a 70 percent unfavorable rating. Who is to blame?
Stitt: We need accountability. I’ve called all lawmakers myself, and we’ve talked about working together. “I can’t do this job by myself.”

Cornett: In my 14 years as OKC mayor, I’ve never insulted my predecessor. “I don’t intend to start as governor.” There are all these unnecessary divisions, urban-rural, GOP vs. dems. “They’re fed up with it.”

Audience question: What will you do go diversify the economy?
Cornett: We’ve relied heavily on the oil and gas industry, but we can’t keep creating jobs there. We need to expand.
Stitt: There’s now a move to bring manufacturing back to the US. “I’m so excited about that.”

Ogle: Is raising taxes the best way to pay for teacher pay increases?
Stitt: “We have to be competitive in how we pay our teachers.” BUT the economy is rebounding. We don’t need tax hikes.
Cornett: “The budget process at the capitol has clearly been broken.” OKC’s isn’t.

Hood: What do you think State Question 801, which would allow districts to spend building funds on operations?
Cornett: I support it, but “It probably will not out more dollars ... into education.”
Stitt: “It’s going to ... give them flexibility. It’s what other stages are doing”

Stitt: Districts lose a dollar for each one they raise in property taxes. “We have to change the funding formula.” We need to let them compete.
Cornett: “We still have a lot of issues to fix that broken relationship between the state and teachers.” #oklaed

Hood: Do we need to amend any part of #SQ788
Cornett: I opposed the SQ.“It just seemed like it didn’t have the level of accountability that we needed.” But it passed. We better get ready.
Stitt: “I actually went to a pain management clinic.” They said it cut opioid use.

Hood: What are your thoughts on recreational marijuana?
Stitt: “Totally opposed to that... until it’s done nationally, we can’t put our state through that.”
Cornett: against it, and re tax revenue: “I’m skeptical it would be a lot of money coming our way.”

Audience question: What plans do you have to fund services for the seniors and the elderly?
Cornett: I’m concerned we’re not going to meet the expectations of the boomer generation. I’m encouraged about the trump admin looking at short term health insurance.

Stitt: We need to audit our Medicaid roles.

Lankford video question: Your positions are similar. Tell us how you’ll make decisions personally, based on your values? “What well do you draw from?”
Stitt:“I believe in the First Amendment. I believe in the Second Amendment. I believe in the 10th Amendment... in a higher power”

Cornett: Certainly my faith. Also my experience as mayor. I faced several social issues, and I learned that the best way to help those struggling is to get them jobs.

Ogle: What do you think of the Trump admin so far?
Cornett: “He’s been very good to me.” He brought me out to talk about cities, infrastructure.
Stitt: “I donated to the Trump campaign ... he’s not a career politician.” “I love his tax cut.”

Audience question on criminal justice reform: Would you do anything to help released felons work?
Stitt: Were going to be tough on crime, but our incarceration rate is too high. “We’re No. 1 in something we should be No. 50 at.”

Cornett: Our ranking is embarrassing. We’re spending $100 million on prisoners’ health care. We could spend that elsewhere. But there’s bipartisan support. “That’s the green light to start making something happen.”

Ogle: What do you think about the death penality and the pitch to use nitrogen gas for injections?
Cornett re: botched executions: “I was a little bit taken aback when we couldn’t perform well.” “We have to execute the law.” It needs to be humane.

Stitt on botched executions: “It’s just baffling how we couldn’t get that right in our stays.” But death penalty overall? “For the most heinous of crimes, absolutely.”

Both candidates said they support “constitutional carry,” which allows residents to carry guns without permitting or training. A bill like this passed at the end of session, but Gov. Fallin vetoed it.

Missed some questions. There are no commercial breaks, and I’m only human.

Hood: Cornett, as OKC mayor, what do you have to say about tulsa?
Cornett: The Gathering Place is going to be great! “I think you’re going to see tourism from across the world.” It’s great at drawing well educated 20 somethings.

Ogle: Stitt, What do you have to say to OKC?
Stitt: I’m from Norman, and I’ve been traveling all over the state. “I’m going to be the governor for all 4 million Oklahomans.”

Hosts ask what they will do in their first 90 Days. They discussed their platforms essentially. Cornett said we need to work on our credit ratings. Stitt said we need to fire agency heads and get more accountability in.

Hood: Stitt, What was the defining moment that made you decide to run?
Stitt: “I feel like the lord laid it on my heart about two and a half years ago.” Look at our education system. I have six kids. We’re at 45th in outcomes.

Hood: @readfrontier sent out a questionaire about tribal compacts, and Cornett was the only candidate that didn’t reply. What do you think?
Cornett: To my knowledge, I didn’t get that. The tribes are doing good things. But “The state needs a better deal in the negotiations.”

Ogle: One accusation against you is that your business was banned in Georgia.
Stitt: That’s not true. That’s typical politics.

Closing remarks. Random topics.