For Immediate
Release: August 24, 2005
President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan
Senate Leaders Say Focus
Should Remain on Public Safety
Senate leaders said Wednesday they are disappointed
House Speaker Todd
Hiett is focusing on tax cuts targeted for wealthy Oklahomans
rather than addressing the safety of all of the state’s
citizens.
“Our efforts should be focused on keeping Oklahomans safe,”
President Pro Tempore Mike
Morgan said. “The Speaker has had more than enough time
to review a comprehensive plan to fund corrections put forth by
Senate Democrats six weeks ago.”
Senate Public Safety and Judiciary Subcommittee Chairman Kenneth
Corn said he is not surprised by the House Republicans’
attempt to change the subject from corrections to tax cuts. He
said today’s tax cut announcement is simply the latest effort
by House leaders to focus on anything but public safety.
“House leaders have made it no secret that they want to
wait until next year to address corrections funding. Meanwhile
violence continues to plague our prisons and threaten our sense
of security in communities throughout Oklahoma,” Corn (D-Poteau)
said. “By focusing on tax cuts today, rather than coming
to the table to hammer out a solution to the public safety crisis,
House Republicans are sending a message across this state that
says they will continue to ignore the safety of Oklahoma families.”
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Jay
Paul Gumm, who helped craft the largest tax cut in state history
last spring, said he will review the Republican tax cut plan,
but believes that any further tax cuts should be targeted to help
working families rather than the wealthiest of Oklahomans.
“On the surface, this appears to leave out Oklahoma’s
working families, and that is just not good policy,” said
Gumm, a Democrat from Durant. “I am more interested in lifting
up the working families who struggle every month to make ends
meet.”
Gumm, an Assistant Senate Majority Leader, said the Legislature
needed to put money back into the pockets of the people who need
it the most: working families. He said when Republicans touted
the estate tax as an “envy” tax during their Wednesday
morning press conference, they demonstrated they intend to engage
in a class war, turning their backs on working families.
“However, before we even begin to think about tax cuts for
next year, we need to meet our responsibility toward public safety
this year.” Gumm added. “This is premature until we
pass Senator Corn’s corrections plan that will make Oklahoma’s
families safer.”
Morgan, D-Stillwater, agreed.
“To continue to change the subject and ignore the public
safety crisis is irresponsible,” he said. “If House
leaders continue down this road, I may have no choice but to call
Senators back to the Capitol to deal with the public safety issue.”
For
more information contact:
Pro Tem's Office
- (405) 521-5605
