About Michael McFarland
Growing up in Nowata, Oklahoma, Michael McFarland learned the values of a small town community. As a young man Michael joined the Boy Scouts of America where he participated in many community service events including his Eagle Scout Project for the Nowata Historical Society. Michael graduated from Nowata High School where he also worked as a lifeguard for 4 years. Michael attended Pittsburg State University where he graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Sociology and a minor in Political Science. It was in college that Michael discovered his passion for politics through his studies and his time spent as a Senator in the Student Government Association.
The Platform
Education
Our children are the future of Oklahoma, for too long now our legislators have ignored the pleas of our teachers and parents. Not only do teachers require more pay but our school budgets require an increase as well. No teacher should ever have to ask for a grant because their chairs are falling apart or because they need new textbooks. The money for these things should be in the classroom budget, due to lack of funding classroom budgets are often nonexistent. Our schools have had to cut programs. Classroom sizes have increased. I believe it is time for an audit so that we can find out exactly where the money is going and why it is not going toward the classroom. I would also like to reduce standardized testing. Testing is not learning and currently our children are being over tested, and when they are not being tested they are taking practice tests. The money saved from this could go back into the classroom where it is needed the most.
Creating Jobs
Growing the workforce in Oklahoma must be a priority. I believe that the future of Oklahoma is in technology, industry, and farming. I believe that our legislation should encourage growth in these areas. We should focus more on keeping our highways and bridges well maintained because a good infrastructure is key to economic development. Our tax policies should encourage the growth of small businesses and encourage new business development.
Freedom
I am a firm believer in the rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. We must protect our citizens rights to work and thrive in a free state. Regulations should be made only to protect our freedoms not to infringe on basic rights. We must ensure citizens rights to free speech, keep and bear arms, and worship freely. I believe in a small state government, so I will focus on reducing regulations that stifle the growth of our state, and infringe on the freedom of our citizens.