Oklahoma Senate Democrats Issue Statement on the Governor’s Call for Special Session

“The Senate Democrats have been clear all along: we need to approach a special session thoughtfully with real plans for recurring revenue.

“Now more than ever we know that the numbers don’t lie. The policies of the last ten years have put us in this position and Republican leadership at the Capitol has failed Oklahomans. It is long past time for the legislature to go in a different direction, which is both the challenge and the opportunity of this special session.

“Our constituents did not send us to the Capitol to simply make across the board cuts and walk away claiming ‘we tried.’ The people of Oklahoma expect more from us than a short-term, ‘band-aid’ budget fix which fills the immediate budget hole, but does nothing to address the budget problems we are facing next year. Hard working Oklahomans demand more than regressive taxes which burden them disproportionately.

“We need to set clear priorities, take hard votes and make tough choices with all revenue options on the table for open, transparent discussion and debate. This is a time for cooperation and compromise. This is the time for a plan of action, accountability and real results. This is the time for leadership and a long-term plan for our state and its people.

“We owe it to our constituents to focus on a long-term budget solution which protects the most basic, core government functions and services. This is what our constituents demand of us and what they deserve from us with no exceptions and no excuses.”