Part 2 of 2

As Representative Scott Fetgatter seeks re-election for District 16 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, he sat down for an extensive two-part interview to discuss his vision for the future, his legislative accomplishments and the challenges facing rural Oklahomans. Throughout the conversation, Fetgatter touched on a range of issues, including economic growth, education, healthcare, social justice and bipartisan cooperation, providing voters with insight into his priorities if re-elected.

--- Education: Funding & Teacher Pay Increases During the interview, Fetgatter also discussed the importance of education and the state’s efforts to increase funding for teachers and schools. In response to questions about public education, he outlined how Oklahoma has increased its budget for education and provided teacher pay raises.

• Dawn Carter: “Education remains a key concern for voters. What are your views on public education, and how has the state addressed teacher pay and funding?”

• Scott Fetgatter: “Education is critical, and I think people don’t realize how much we’ve done to improve it. Since I’ve been in office, we’ve increased education funding by 50%. Teacher pay has gone up by an average of $10,000 over the last six years. We’ve prioritized education - it takes up about 48% of our state budget.”

Fetgatter acknowledged that while there are still concerns about teacher retention and school funding, Oklahoma has made great strides in supporting educators.

“We’re competitive when it comes to pay, especially in rural areas,” Fetgatter said, pointing out that rural Texas schools don’t offer significantly higher pay compared to Oklahoma schools.

He also addressed the need for school choice, explaining that families should have the right to choose where their children are educated, though he emphasized his commitment to public education.

“I believe in families having choices about where their kids will best be educated. But as long as I’m in office, I’ll make sure we continue to fund public education, as required by the Constitution.”

--- Social Justice & Public Safety: Ensuring Fairness & Accountability When asked about social justice and public safety, Fetgatter provided a nuanced perspective, acknowledging that there are concerns about law enforcement’s treatment of minority communities. He made it clear, however, that any abuse of power, particularly if racially motivated, must be addressed.

• Dawn Carter: “Social justice is a big topic when discussing law enforcement. What are your views on social justice, and how would you ensure community trust in law enforcement while maintaining accountability?”

• Scott Fetgatter: “If there’s abuse of power and it’s racially motivated, it has to be addressed. Period. I don’t think it’s rampant in the system, but if there’s a problem, we need to deal with it.”

Fetgatter shared an experience from a past meeting with Black community leaders, where he learned about the fear many young Black men feel during interactions with law enforcement. He recounted how a community member explained that they teach their children to keep their driver’s license above the visor to avoid reaching into pockets and potentially being perceived as a threat.

“I was shocked to learn about that reality,” Fetgatter said, adding that while he doesn’t believe in the concept of “privilege,” he recognizes that there are disparities in how people experience interactions with law enforcement.

Fetgatter also emphasized the importance of law enforcement holding itself accountable. He shared an incident where he reported a highway patrol officer’s behavior for road rage, highlighting his belief that even minor abuses of power should be addressed to avoid larger issues.

“I think law enforcement does a good job most of the time, but we have to ensure they stick to the foundation of ‘protect and serve.’ That’s the key to maintaining community trust.”

--- Bipartisanship: A Key to Effective Governance

Given the growing political divide in the country, Fetgatter was asked about his approach to working with legislators from both parties. He emphasized that bipartisanship is not as difficult as people believe and shared examples of how he has worked with Democrats to pass meaningful legislation.

• Dawn Carter: “In today’s political climate, bipartisanship seems to be rare. How have you fostered bipartisan cooperation during your time in office?”

• Scott Fetgatter: “Bipartisanship is easy. I have Democrat friends, and I’ve passed plenty of bills with bipartisan support. About 90% of the bills I’ve carried have had bipartisan backing. It’s all about treating people with respect and keeping your word.”

Fetgatter noted that while there are certain ideological differences, most of the work done in the legislature focuses on practical, everyday issues that affect all Oklahomans, regardless of party affiliation.

“I’ve had Democrats stand up and debate in favor of my bills,” he said. “You just have to treat people right, and they’ll work with you.”

--- Looking Ahead: Long-Term Vision and Unfinished Business

As the interview drew to a close, Fetgatter discussed his long-term vision for District 16. Despite Oklahoma’s term limits, which would limit him to four more years in office, he is determined to make a lasting impact.

• Dawn Carter: “What’s your long-term vision for District 16, and what are some of the unfinished projects you hope to complete if re-elected?”

• Scott Fetgatter: “My goal has always been to ensure that our district is recognized at the state level and that we get our fair share of resources. We have big challenges with mental health, substance abuse, and poverty, and I want to keep addressing those issues.”

He also mentioned his ongoing efforts to develop an industrial park in Okmulgee County and address infrastructure problems on 20th Street, projects he hopes to complete or set in motion before his time in office ends.

“There’s a lot of unfinished business,” Fetgatter said. “But I’ll keep fighting to ensure House District 16 continues moving in the right direction.”

--- Serving the People Throughout the interview, Fetgatter emphasized that his motivation stems from a commitment to the people of District 16. Whether it’s working to attract jobs, improve infrastructure, or ensure bipartisan cooperation, Fetgatter remains focused on making life better for his constituents.

“I’m not running against anyone,” Fetgatter said of his re-election bid. “I’m running to keep my job. The voters will decide if I’ve done well enough to continue representing them.”

With a focus on economic development, education, healthcare, social justice, and a proven track record of bipartisan collaboration, Representative Scott Fetgatter is asking voters to place their trust in him once again as he seeks another term in office.