Senate Democrats respond to GOP budget proposal

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Democrats issued the following statements Tuesday regarding the GOP’s budget proposal.

“On the 106^th day of the 2023 regular legislative session, with three working days remaining, the Oklahoma GOP released a budget proposal, including $150 million for private school tuition vouchers, at least $60 million in unnecessary tax cuts, and inadequate funding for dozens of Oklahoma’s core services, including the State Department of Health and the Ethics Commission.

“Even though we have a record surplus of funds and face unprecedented challenges, Republicans have released a last-minute budget crafted by a small few behind closed doors. Oklahoma families are not asking for vouchers or tax cuts. They want quality education for their kids, affordable health care, and safe neighborhoods. This budget does not accomplish those goals.” – Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City.

“This budget proposal is just another example of the supermajority's failure to govern despite having every resource available. The chaos of this session has left real Oklahomans behind, whether we are talking about access to mental health services or passing meaningful policies that could improve their lives. Because of inflation, we know agencies with flat budgets are getting a budget cut, and Oklahomans deserve better than that. Our constituents deserve government they can count on.” – Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City.

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