Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, made the following statement in response to Gov. Brad Henry’s State of the State address.

“It was very disappointing that the governor didn’t mention the most critical health and jobs issue facing our state today – lawsuit reform – and that he didn’t come out in support of the full elimination of the death tax and reducing the state’s high income tax rate. Passing these proposals in 2006 is critical if we want to make Oklahoma a national leader in attracting and keeping good jobs,” Coffee stated.

“The governor talked a good game about funding our state’s priorities, but a closer look at his budget shows that he really just wants to grow government by leaps and bounds. What we should do is fund our state’s priorities first – education, roads and bridges, and public safety – and pass a significant tax reform package before creating or expanding other state programs as Gov. Henry has proposed,” Coffee said.

For more information contact:
Senate Republican Leadership Assistant's Office - (405) 521-5654