Henry Proposes Ethics Commission Budget Boost
Governor Brad Henry today proposed an increase in the budget of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission by $160,000. The agency says its operations budget has been cut in half in recent years.
House members acknowledge they are under the gun because of the public's anger over nonpayment of taxes and late payment of taxes by some lawmakers, plus ethics issues.
"They're all telling me the same thing -- what the heck is going on? It's embarrassing. And I'm embarrassed," Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore, told The Associated Press.
"The rank and file public out there are mad as hornets, and they should be," said the leader of House Democrats, Danny Morgan. In his sixth annual State of the State address to the Oklahoma State Legislature, Henry outlined an agenda he says will strengthen education, create jobs, improve healthcare, toughen public safety and diversify the state’s economy.
“The centennial is over, but the story of Oklahoma continues -- a story that is bold and reinvigorated, a new beginning for a state constantly evolving,” he told the second session of the Oklahoma 51st Legislature.
“What we do now will set the course for our future. It’s time to build on the successes that you and I have accomplished together during the past five years. Our actions this session will buttress the unshakable foundation of our second century of statehood.” Henry unveiled a number of proposals, ranging from keeping the state’s commitment to raise teacher pay to the regional average to a permanent funding mechanism for the EDGE Research Endowment. Stressing that challenges and opportunities typically go hand in hand in Oklahoma, Henry said it is important for legislators to find consensus on such issues as education, economic development, healthcare, transportation and public safety. “House Democrats are elated that Governor Henry has advocated making sound investments in Oklahoma’s future,” said Democrat Leader Danny Morgan, D- Prague. “Investing in the EDGE Fund and raising teacher pay to the regional average while maintaining a fiscally sound budget are all goals that we look forward to making a reality in the House. I hope the new Speaker of the House has the same enthusiasm for Governor Henry’s agenda.” Senate President Co-Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, however, said that, “With our state and nation facing so many critical challenges, I believe the people of Oklahoma were hoping to hear more of a vision for change and innovation from Governor Henry. Instead, much of what the governor discussed were repackaged old proposals, and he didn’t even mention many important issues facing our state. “Senate Republicans have a bold and innovative agenda to move Oklahoma forward, and we hope to work with Governor Henry, Senate Democrats, and the new House leadership to do the people’s business,” Coffee said. “Governor Henry proposed a a laundry list of spending today, but he did not give much detail on how he plans to pay for it. We will analyze the governor’s budget to make sure it is based in reality. We must be cautious to ensure we don’t dig a hole for future budget years,” he said. Coffee expressed disappointment that Henry did not mention key issues such as lawsuit reform, tax relief, and government accountability. “Given that the governor didn’t even mention lawsuit reform, one really must question how interested he is in finding a bipartisan solution. Senate Republicans want to work with Governor Henry to find common ground on lawsuit reform, but we’re not willing to take the “reforms” out of lawsuit reform just to get him to sign a bill. “It was also disappointing that the governor didn’t talk about keeping the commitment made to taxpayers last session to reduce the income tax to 5.25% in January 2009. With the national economy slowing down, the Legislature and the governor need to do our part to keep Oklahoma’s economy by providing more tax relief,” stated Coffee. “Streamlining government and making it more accountable, efficient and effective will be a major priority for the Legislature this year. I wish the governor would have discussed this important issue in his State of the State address,” he said. Coffee said he appreciated the governor’s call to fully fund the Department of Corrections. However, Coffee questioned why the governor proposed increasing funding for drug courts, but did not proposed reforms for the program. An independent performance audit determined drug courts are failing to divert drug offenders from prison and have not resulted in the savings that were promised. Coffee said he hopes the governor will support Senate Republicans’ plan to dedicate more of existing motor vehicle taxes to fix our roads and bridges.
House members acknowledge they are under the gun because of the public's anger over nonpayment of taxes and late payment of taxes by some lawmakers, plus ethics issues.
"They're all telling me the same thing -- what the heck is going on? It's embarrassing. And I'm embarrassed," Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore, told The Associated Press.
"The rank and file public out there are mad as hornets, and they should be," said the leader of House Democrats, Danny Morgan. In his sixth annual State of the State address to the Oklahoma State Legislature, Henry outlined an agenda he says will strengthen education, create jobs, improve healthcare, toughen public safety and diversify the state’s economy.
“The centennial is over, but the story of Oklahoma continues -- a story that is bold and reinvigorated, a new beginning for a state constantly evolving,” he told the second session of the Oklahoma 51st Legislature.
“What we do now will set the course for our future. It’s time to build on the successes that you and I have accomplished together during the past five years. Our actions this session will buttress the unshakable foundation of our second century of statehood.” Henry unveiled a number of proposals, ranging from keeping the state’s commitment to raise teacher pay to the regional average to a permanent funding mechanism for the EDGE Research Endowment. Stressing that challenges and opportunities typically go hand in hand in Oklahoma, Henry said it is important for legislators to find consensus on such issues as education, economic development, healthcare, transportation and public safety. “House Democrats are elated that Governor Henry has advocated making sound investments in Oklahoma’s future,” said Democrat Leader Danny Morgan, D- Prague. “Investing in the EDGE Fund and raising teacher pay to the regional average while maintaining a fiscally sound budget are all goals that we look forward to making a reality in the House. I hope the new Speaker of the House has the same enthusiasm for Governor Henry’s agenda.” Senate President Co-Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, however, said that, “With our state and nation facing so many critical challenges, I believe the people of Oklahoma were hoping to hear more of a vision for change and innovation from Governor Henry. Instead, much of what the governor discussed were repackaged old proposals, and he didn’t even mention many important issues facing our state. “Senate Republicans have a bold and innovative agenda to move Oklahoma forward, and we hope to work with Governor Henry, Senate Democrats, and the new House leadership to do the people’s business,” Coffee said. “Governor Henry proposed a a laundry list of spending today, but he did not give much detail on how he plans to pay for it. We will analyze the governor’s budget to make sure it is based in reality. We must be cautious to ensure we don’t dig a hole for future budget years,” he said. Coffee expressed disappointment that Henry did not mention key issues such as lawsuit reform, tax relief, and government accountability. “Given that the governor didn’t even mention lawsuit reform, one really must question how interested he is in finding a bipartisan solution. Senate Republicans want to work with Governor Henry to find common ground on lawsuit reform, but we’re not willing to take the “reforms” out of lawsuit reform just to get him to sign a bill. “It was also disappointing that the governor didn’t talk about keeping the commitment made to taxpayers last session to reduce the income tax to 5.25% in January 2009. With the national economy slowing down, the Legislature and the governor need to do our part to keep Oklahoma’s economy by providing more tax relief,” stated Coffee. “Streamlining government and making it more accountable, efficient and effective will be a major priority for the Legislature this year. I wish the governor would have discussed this important issue in his State of the State address,” he said. Coffee said he appreciated the governor’s call to fully fund the Department of Corrections. However, Coffee questioned why the governor proposed increasing funding for drug courts, but did not proposed reforms for the program. An independent performance audit determined drug courts are failing to divert drug offenders from prison and have not resulted in the savings that were promised. Coffee said he hopes the governor will support Senate Republicans’ plan to dedicate more of existing motor vehicle taxes to fix our roads and bridges.
Labels: Brad Henry, Danny Morgan, Glenn Coffee 2008 State Of The State
posted by Mike McCarville @ 12:52 PM
<< Home