Implementing these recommendations will require very significant resources and investments. The proposed tobacco tax, for example, will pay the cost of the health care initiatives but will not generate sufficient revenue to finance other EDGE proposals. Over time, the anticipated economic growth should provide more wealth to Oklahoma citizens, businesses and state government, but the initial investments must be made before these benefits can be realized.
State political leaders of both parties have the ultimate expertise and responsibility to identify the appropriate mechanisms to fund the entire agenda. Throughout the EDGE process, thousands of Oklahomans urged that their state leaders take action. These same citizens recommended hundreds of novel and innovative actions. They will expect the leadership of the state to be equally creative as it identifies the needed money to implement the EDGE recommendations.
Oklahoma has an exciting and colorful history, made largely by leaders who acted to advance the state under the circumstances of the time. EDGE represents one of those key moments in the story of Oklahoma, and an exciting new chapter lies before us.