Senate Democrat Calls Ad “Economic Terrorism”

State Sen. Jeff Rabon, D-Hugo, said he was outraged by a national ad sponsored by Cimarron Equality Oklahoma. The ad, printed in USA Today, discouraged businesses from locating in Oklahoma because of a proposed constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage.

“Any individual or group certainly has the right to disagree with a policy decision—but to run ads in a national newspaper that could do economic harm to our state is going to hurt everyone in Oklahoma, even those belonging to Cimarron Equality Oklahoma,” Rabon said. “They are waging economic terrorism.”

The ad warned businesses thinking of relocating to Oklahoma that the state had a “worsening culture, intolerant exclusion,” and as a result “brain and talent drain.”

“First of all, I would challenge all of those inaccurate claims about our state. It isn’t true, and it isn’t fair to our citizens. Secondly, Oklahoma law already defined marriage as between a man and woman—this proposed amendment, which first must be approved by Oklahoma voters, would only restate that in the constitution as well,” Rabon said.

Sen. Rabon pointed out that Oklahoma has worked diligently to develop legislation and policy to create a pro-business environment, including the innovative Quality Jobs program which has been copied around the country.

“We’ve been working to create the best business climate in the nation. This ad is not only irresponsible, it is also misleading about our state and our people,” Rabon said. “If this group is really concerned about Oklahoma, this is the wrong way to show it. Trying to keep new jobs from coming here hurts everyone, whether they are for or against the marriage amendment. I predict their efforts are going to wind up backfiring.”