Taylor Comments on Disagreement Between Daxon and Gov. Keating

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor,
Senate President Pro Tempore

"Unlike Mr. Daxon, we agree with the statements made by Governor Keating. As Governor Keating said Tuesday, the budget agreement forged by legislative leaders is an excellent first step. As the governor also pointed out, the legislative proposal has many similarities to Governor Keating's original budget in the sense that it protects such important programs as education, health, veterans and mental health.

"As anyone who is familiar with the budget process knows, this is just the beginning of the final budget writing process. Subcommittees will soon begin to put the terms of the legislative budget agreement into legislation. That legislation will then be forwarded to the floor for debate and ultimately sent to the governor for his signature.

"Unless someone has changed the state constitution without our knowledge, Governor Keating is still responsible for approving the final budget, not Tom Daxon."

Excerpt from the Daily Oklahoman, 4-3-02

House and Senate leaders were optimistic about the plan's future. So was Gov. Frank Keating, who said Tuesday the agreed upon plan nearly mirrors what he presented on the first day of the legislative session.

"It's an excellent first step for an orderly end to the legislative process," Keating said.