Hobson: Williamson is Real NonStarter

Statement by Senator Cal Hobson
Senate President Pro Tempore Education remains our states top priority, but its not Oklahomas only priority. Thousands of Oklahomans depend on state services for their daily existence, an existence that is threatened by the nearly 00 million budget deficit. The situation is very basic. Without new revenue, there wont be a family in Oklahoma that wont be affected by the severe budget cuts the Legislature will be forced to implement cuts in services for the elderly, the poor, public safety, assistance for rural fire departments, every facet of state government. Just this morning, I met with more than a dozen mentally ill constituents from the Norman area who came to the Capitol to plead with lawmakers to spare their needed state assistance programs from the budget axe. These are real people with real problems. I explained to them the crisis the state is facing and the need for additional revenue if the Legislature is going to be able to avoid drastically cutting important programs like the ones they depend on. They seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation. I dont understand why Senators Williamson and Coffee cant. I think the people of Oklahoma are getting tired of this battle. Since before the session began, we have presented ideas to raise revenue. In response, Senator Williamson counters with a press release accusing Democrats of obstructing the process by not passing a common education appropriations bill immediately. What is their plan for the rest of state government? I asked Republican leaders in the Senate for their list of revenue enhancement ideas twice last month. I still havent received them. Governor Henry, in his executive budget, proposed more than 00 million in revenue enhancement programs to help ease the severity of state budget cuts. Senator Williamson and his caucus have yet to specifically endorse the governors plan. I have put forth other revenue enhancing measures. Again none have been endorsed by the Republican caucus. Two weeks ago I offered to fasttrack the common education budget, if Senator Williamson and his caucus would agree to support a temporary cent sales tax increase dedicated to fill the education budget gap. He called the sales tax a nonstarter. The nonstarter is Senator Williamson. Im ready and waiting for him to join us in finding real solutions to the states budget crisis.