Senate President Pro Tem Coffee Response to Report of State Equalization Board

“As one would have suspected, the revenue picture of the State of Oklahoma has not improved since the last figures certified by the State Equalization Board, so our response is the same.

“Clearly, we will look at state agencies and programs to identify areas in which savings and greater efficiencies can be found.

“It is small consolation to be sure, but I’m thankful for our conservative spending practices of the past, which place us in a more enviable position than a vast majority of states find themselves today.

“And finally, I still hold to the conviction that we should stay away from the Rainy Day Fund and save those monies for a year down the road, when the fiscal picture will likely be bleaker.”