For Immediate
Release: May 11, 2004
Audio
Clip
Senator Jeff Rabon
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.”
For
more information contact:
Senate
Communications Office - (405) 521-5774
