Clark Jolley

Former State Senator and Oklahoma Tax Commissioner

With a background of considerable achievements, it’s easy to get lost in the details of all Clark Jolley has accomplished for Oklahomans. Between his twelve-year service as a State Senator, his role as the State’s Secretary of Finance, and as Chairman of the Oklahoma Tax Commission, nobody has a greater breadth of experience to be State Treasurer than does Clark Jolley.

As only the third Republican to serve as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Jolley led the efforts to balance the budget without raising taxes – something he did for each of the five years he chaired that powerful committee. As Secretary of Finance, Administration, and Information Techonology, Jolley successfully navigated difficult waters to keep the state’s bond rating from dropping during a time of tumult in the oil & gas industry. As Chairman of the Tax Commission, Jolley advocated for taxpayers and helped bring greater transparency and quicker response times – all while bringing in more state funds from old accounts and stopping more than 27,000 fraudulent tax returns.

Experience is vitally important, but what also sets Clark Jolley apart are his conservative values – not the least of which is work ethic. As the primary author of more than 350 passed bills and resolutions, including a constitutional amendment on alcohol reform, Jolley spent his time in the legislature largely undoing what had been done during almost 100 years of Democratic control. Jolley’s work to reduce drunk driving (as well as his other support for law and order) was recognized by our state’s District Attorneys, and Jolley’s efforts to improve education caused the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools to name him a “Champion.” Jolley was twice named “Legislator of the Year” by the Oklahoma Troopers Association and received an award with the same name from the Oklahoma National Guard Association, the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Association, the Oklahoma Municipal League, and numerous other trade associations.

Clark Jolley has always been an advocate for lower taxes, protecting the life of the unborn, and improving government transparency and accountability. Jolley authored and passed legislation to make our education system more accountable, to make it easier for entrepreneurs to do business in Oklahoma, and to reduce the size of government by reducing state assets. While a senator, he authored the Taxpayer Transparency Act and while a Tax Commissioner, he helped lead innovations to allow for easier renewal of car tags, and modernization of communication with taxpayers that has led to greater engagement. He has done this and more while cutting operational costs by 14%.

A lifelong Oklahoman, Jolley attended college at Oklahoma Baptist University before earning a juris doctorate from the University of Oklahoma and a certificate in Public Treasury Management from Pepperdine University. Jolley’s expertise in financial matters has made him a sought-after adjunct professor who gives back by teaching college courses at both Mid-America Christian University and Oklahoma Christian University.

Clark Jolley and his wife, April, live in Edmond. Jolley’s daughter is currently a student at the University of Central Oklahoma, while his oldest son attends Southwestern Oklahoma State University. In addition, they have two sons attending Edmond Public Schools. The Jolley’s are active members of Crossings Community Church.

Oklahoma City ‘22

Oklahoma Regulatory Workshop
11:40 - 12:50