Once we made a deal, once we shook hands, that deal was as good as gold. The tribes are true to their word, they live up to their responsibility and you can count on them. They’ve been great partners for the state of Oklahoma.

All Oklahomans need to view tribes in a holistic manner that includes all of their impact, not just this idea that tribes are about gaming. Tribes are about Oklahoma investing in Oklahoma’s future.

When you think about 96,000 employees working for tribes and nations and you multiply that in economic development terms, now we’re not talking just 100,000 jobs, we’re probably talking 400,000 or 500,000 jobs.

Tribes are planted in Oklahoma. They’re like these great forests that provide all this benefit that are planted in Oklahoma. They’re here to stay, and they’re here to make a lasting impact in our state.

We’re lucky to have the tribes, but we’re really lucky to have the tribal leadership that we have in the state of Oklahoma that see beyond the tribes — they see the better good for all.