Governor Mary Fallin and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce recently announced the findings from their joint business climate survey. Approximately 5,400 business leaders from all 77 counties responded to the governor’s survey. These companies represent more than 250,000 jobs and as much as 20 percent of Oklahoma’s total workforce. Survey findings show Oklahoma is far ahead of national projections for business optimism. Oklahoma’s business optimism outperforms national rates by almost 20 percent. 78 percent of Oklahoma business leaders said they were optimistic about the future for business in Oklahoma and confident their business will grow in Oklahoma. National surveys indicate only 60 percent of U.S. business leaders are optimistic about the growth of their businesses in the next six months. This bodes well for the state’s future, and signals that our efforts to establish a more business-friendly climate in Oklahoma are having an impact. We are a strong environment for entrepreneurship, and businesses are growing. The report also show surprisingly high numbers of existing businesses expect to hire and increase their workforce in the coming year. This is good news, and an indication we are on the right track as we pursue a pro-jobs agenda. Please feel free to contact me by writing to Senator Mike Schulz at the State Capitol, Room 418, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105, or call me at (405) 521-5612.