Oklahoma
State Senate
For Immediate Release: May 18, 2009
Sen. Charlie Laster
Concerned About the Fate of Rural Oklahoma, Democratic Senators
Refuse to
Approve State Budget in Appropriations Committee
Meeting
Concerned Republicans are leaving behind rural Oklahoma,
every Democratic member of the Senate General Conference Committee
on Appropriations refused to give their nod of approval to the
proposed state budget today. Specifically Senate Democrats say
cutting Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) funds completely out
of the state budget will hurt rural fire departments, jeopardize
senior nutrition programs and eliminate rural communities ability
to make needed infrastructure improvements that supply clean drinking
water to their citizens.
“This budget is being balanced on the back of rural Oklahoma
and that is simply unacceptable to those of us who understand
rural Oklahoma is the lifeblood of this state,” Democratic
Leader Charlie
Laster said. “We are prepared to use every legislative
tool at our disposal to save rural Oklahoma.”
Democratic Caucus Chairman Kenneth Corn said he anticipates a
spirited debate on the senate floor over this year’s budget
and believes Democrats will be able to find the 25 votes needed
to kill any budget that does not include funding for REAP.
“Senate Republicans have never been in charge of writing
the state budget and the first chance they get to do so, they
have shown they are willing to sell rural Oklahoma down the river,”
Corn, who sits on GCCA in the Senate, said. “It is typical
of Republicans to trot this budget out on a Friday afternoon and
sing its praises hoping the public will never hear about the harm
this budget will do to rural Oklahoma. Senate Democrats are prepared
to have this discussion in public in hopes of shedding some light
on this issue in order to protect the interest of the families
in rural Oklahoma who will suffer under this budget”
The senators said REAP was created in 1996 as a way of boosting
the economy and infrastructure of communities in rural Oklahoma.
It was the only line item that was completely eliminated in the
state budget. Last year REAP was funded at $15.5 million.
For more information contact:
Sen. Laster's Office - 405-521-5539
