As each new year dawns, a hope emerges for a better community and improvement in the well-being of all people. With this in mind, we offer our wishes for 2024.
Elections and the behavior those inspire will be top of the news cycle. Up for election next year will be U.S. president, U.S. House, Oklahoma House, half the Oklahoma Senate, a Corporation Commission seat, several Tulsa County positions (court clerk, county clerk, sheriff and commissioner District 2), all Tulsa City Council offices, Tulsa mayor and three Tulsa Public Schools board seats.
Become an informed citizen. Choose candidates over parties and make decisions based on reality, not hyperbole. Seek leaders who offer solutions, truth, diplomacy and common-ground approaches with those in which they disagree.
We encourage people to turn to local media sources, including the Tulsa World, for information about candidates and facts on issues. Avoid adding to the mean-spirited, anonymous misinformation proliferating on social media....
Community-wide support for public schools is long overdue. To have the kind of school district the city requires to prosper, everyone has a role to play.
If your employer offers it, accept the hours for volunteerism, even if it's for a day. If your employer doesn't offer it, push them to understand that a community is only as good as its leaders are generous.
At the state level, offer incentives to bring back the 33,000 certified teachers to the classroom, keep teachers from leaving and inspire more people to teach. The problem isn't just about money — it's about respect and trust.
Don't cut the tax rate and spend some of the $5 billion in savings accounts on struggling state services that haven't returned to pre-recession workforce levels, such as driver testing or Career Tech slots. Monthly state revenue is consistently coming in lower than the previous year, so a tax cut would hamstring future Legislatures.
At the federal level, we would like to see bipartisan support for a new immigration system that secures the border with better security and processing programs. With that, immigration entrance requirements ought to be updated to reflect evolving workforce needs and family reunification. Congress is capable of addressing both sides of the immigration problem.
Gun violence will continue with more mass shootings. We would like a return of the federal assault-weapons ban and background checks for all firearms purchases, including private sales. Keeping guns out of the hands of those who legally should not have them will start improving safety.
World peace often seems elusive, but we hope Ukraine can win its battle against Russian aggression and have an end to the hostilities in Israel and Gaza.
We look forward to the new year and being part of the solution to our community's challenges.
[Editorial / Tulsa World]
