Can Tulsa’s Mayoral Candidates Cure The City’s Struggling Economy?

By Emory Bryan, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Tulsa's next mayor will get the job as the city struggles to make ends meet, but do they have a cure for Tulsa's struggling economy?

It's one of the most discussed issues and one of the most challenging problems -- how City Hall can revitalize Tulsa's economy.

Democrat Tom Adelson wants to work with the Chamber to encourage people and businesses to spend their money locally.

"And also making sure the city, with its own expenditures, is making sure Tulsa businesses, local businesses, have a chance to bid on that. We want to work with Career Tech and Workforce Tulsa so if there are any job training issues that local employers need, we address those immediately," said Tom Adelson, (D) mayoral candidate.

Independent Mark Perkins believes city government is discouraging new jobs.

"There are a lot of regulations, hurdles, multi-step permitting," said Mark Perkins, (I) mayoral candidate.

Perkins says long term the city should still look to the river to bring in new jobs.

"The river is another area that I think is critical to the long-term economic health and we're not gathering the revenue we could generate from it," said Mark Perkins.

Republican Dewey Bartlett says he wants to build on Tulsa's existing energy and aerospace jobs.

"We have to encourage people to stay in the city of Tulsa, grow, prosper and spend money," said Dewey Bartlett, (R) mayoral candidate.

Bartlett says running his own business prepared him to bring new jobs to Tulsa.

"I have to encourage a very pro business environment in the city of Tulsa. We have to. If we don't do that, if that's the only thing I accomplish in four years, I've done a good job," said Dewey Bartlett.

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