Senator Corn Says Budget Deal Hurts Rural Oklahoma

State Sen. Kenneth Corn said he was very disappointed that the budget agreement unveiled on Friday would eliminate all funding for the Rural Economic Action Plan, better known as the REAP program.

“I think it is tremendously unfair that the state budget is going to be balanced on the back of rural Oklahoma,” said Corn, D-Poteau. “These programs are vital to help improve roads, bridges and other important infrastructure projects, but these funds have been completely eliminated in the budget agreement. I know my Democrat and Republican colleagues from rural Oklahoma are opposed to this.”

REAP was created in 1996 as a way of boosting the economy and infrastructure of communities in rural Oklahoma. Last year lawmakers appropriated $15.5 million for the program. The agreement reached by state leaders on Friday calls for the total elimination of funding for REAP.

“I could have understood if REAP had been treated the same as other state entities, most of which received about a seven percent cut, but this is unconscionable,” Corn said. “I am opposed to eliminating these funds, and will work with other rural lawmakers of both parties to ensure REAP is funded in the 2010 budget.”