Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd on governor’s state budget comments

Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, issued the following statement Tuesday on behalf of the Oklahoma Senate Democratic Caucus:

“On Monday, the Legislature came together and passed legislation with strong bipartisan support to address a large budget shortfall resulting in part from the impact of COVID-19 on Oklahoma’s economy. These budget bills are now on the governor’s desk awaiting his signature.

“Today, Governor Stitt floated a proposal to cut funding for state agencies by one to two percent. Oklahoma Senate Democrats were disappointed to hear this and are strongly opposed to budget cuts to core services. Every day dedicated and hard-working state employees are on the frontlines of Oklahoma’s efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19. Now is not the time to be reducing much needed resources for state agencies. Oklahoma Senate Democrats call on Governor Stitt to act quickly to prevent a revenue failure by convening the State Board of Equalization and signing the budget bills passed by the Legislature.”