Budget Slapdown Continues; Coffee Erupts, Accuses Henry Of 'Mismanagement'

Senate Republican leaders today questioned Governor Brad Henry’s line-item veto of funding for an independent performance audit of the Department of Corrections, which the governor described as his “first” line-item veto of HB 1234, the bipartisan general appropriations bill overwhelmingly approved by the Legislature last week.

The governor line-item vetoed an attempt to reform state government with an independent outside audit and transformational study of the Department of Corrections, the GOP leaders said.

“What is the governor trying to hide with this veto?" asked Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City. "Is Gov. Henry afraid that an independent performance audit might uncover his mismanagement of a critical public safety agency? Independent performance audits at public school districts have proven very effective at improving efficiency and saving taxpayers’ money. We believe independent performance audits can have the same positive impact on the Department of Corrections and other state agencies."

“Perhaps the governor is worried that a more efficient Department of Corrections would interfere with his plans to implement the early release program that he outlined in his State of the State Address?” queried Coffee.

“Today Gov. Henry has taken a stand against fiscal responsibility. We hope that he does not decide to take a stand against bipartisanship, too, with additional line-item vetoes the bipartisan general appropriations bill. If additional vetoes occur, the governor will poison the bipartisan atmosphere at the Legislature and will set the stage for a possible government shutdown,” stated Sen. Mike Johnson, R-Kingfisher, the co-chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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