Lawmakers Question Askins' Budget Increase
Two lawmakers who have served as key staff members in the lieutenant governor's office said Tuesday they question the budget increase sought by new Lt. Governor Jari Askins.
"With state revenues being less than expected, I don't feel this would be an appropriate time for a large spending increase for the lieutenant governor," said Rep. Marian Cooksey (R-Edmond), who served as Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin's deputy chief of staff from 1995 to 2003. "There is already enough to fund the needs of the office right now."
Askins, a Democrat, is seeking a more than 34 percent increase in her office and staff budget. Askins has already received a pay raise from $85,000 annually to well over $100,000. Currently, the lieutenant governor's office employs about half a dozen full-time employees who assist with clerical duties, logistics and communications.
"As public servants, it's our job to be fiscally responsible and to act as good stewards of the taxpayers' money," said Rep. Colby Schwartz (R-Yukon), who served as legislative and constituent liaison for Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin from 1999 to 2001. "I'm proud of the work I did under Lieutenant Governor Fallin. I know we ran a tight ship with a frugal budget, and I think Lieutenant Governor Askins should be able to get by without a large spending increase."
The budget increase sought by Askins came to light after the governor included the dollar amount in his executive budget - though he told journalists last week he felt the lieutenant governor's office was "a waste of taxpayer dollars." The governor later explained his contradictory comments as an off-the-cuff mistake, but the gaffe shed light on the large spending increase.
"With state revenues being less than expected, I don't feel this would be an appropriate time for a large spending increase for the lieutenant governor," said Rep. Marian Cooksey (R-Edmond), who served as Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin's deputy chief of staff from 1995 to 2003. "There is already enough to fund the needs of the office right now."
Askins, a Democrat, is seeking a more than 34 percent increase in her office and staff budget. Askins has already received a pay raise from $85,000 annually to well over $100,000. Currently, the lieutenant governor's office employs about half a dozen full-time employees who assist with clerical duties, logistics and communications.
"As public servants, it's our job to be fiscally responsible and to act as good stewards of the taxpayers' money," said Rep. Colby Schwartz (R-Yukon), who served as legislative and constituent liaison for Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin from 1999 to 2001. "I'm proud of the work I did under Lieutenant Governor Fallin. I know we ran a tight ship with a frugal budget, and I think Lieutenant Governor Askins should be able to get by without a large spending increase."
The budget increase sought by Askins came to light after the governor included the dollar amount in his executive budget - though he told journalists last week he felt the lieutenant governor's office was "a waste of taxpayer dollars." The governor later explained his contradictory comments as an off-the-cuff mistake, but the gaffe shed light on the large spending increase.
Labels: 2007 State Budget, Colby Schwartz, Jari Askins, Marian Cooksey
posted by Mike McCarville @ 6:01 PM
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