Senate Democrats Release Policy Agenda

Senate Democratic leaders unveiled their legislative agenda for the first session of the 52nd Oklahoma Legislature focusing on policies they said will energize Oklahoma’s economy, strengthen Oklahoma’s middle class, focus on Oklahoma’s health and build a brighter future for all Oklahomans.

“Oklahomans want access to affordable health care, they want an education system that allows their children to become all they were intended to become and they want an economy that will produce good paying jobs,” Democratic Leader Charlie Laster said.

“This legislative session, the Senate Democratic caucus will fight everyday to make our voices heard on the issues that matter most to Oklahomans and policies that will make a real difference in the lives of our people.”

Laster (D-Shawnee) pointed to policies that will help lift Oklahoma into greatness as top priority for the Senate Democratic Caucus including the following priorities: Building on Oklahoma’s strength in the energy sector to grow the economy and protect the environment; Make college education more affordable for more Oklahoma families and protect public schools from potential budget cuts; Strengthening Oklahoma’s middle class; and affordable health care that focuses on insurance reform and prevention

“Focusing on these important priorities in the upcoming session, we hope to empower more Oklahomans to make choices in their life that will lead to a brighter future for them and their families,” Laster said. “We have a responsibility to fight for policies that matter to them, rather than focus on policies that help the powerful special interests that roam these capitol halls.”

Laster said in a year when budgeting will be tight it will be more important than ever to prioritize investments that will help grow Oklahoma’s economy.

“The national economy is a train wreck and we’ve been fortunate in Oklahoma that our economy is still strong. But we know we must be pro-active in creating policies that will continue the growth we have seen in recent years,” Laster said. “That includes ensuring we are building on our strength in the energy sector to become a national leader in alternative energy technology, investing wisely in education to grow our workforce, creating policies that increase access to affordable health care to lower the number of uninsured in our state and investing in infrastructure improvements across our state to create jobs.”

Laster said in this session, when Republicans have control of the upper chamber for the first time in the history of Oklahoma, the Senate Democratic Caucus wants to work with their counterparts across the aisle to foster ideas that will move Oklahoma forward.

Share |