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Republican Legislators Comment on State of the State

Republican Leaders Find Common Ground
With Henry's State of State Address, Budget

Oklahoma City - The Republican leaders of the state Senate and House of Representatives said Monday they were pleased to find common ground with Governor Brad Henry following the release of the governor's FY 2004 budget and his State of the State Address.

Republican legislators were particularly pleased that the governor did not call for tax increases and joined Republican efforts to streamline state government, utilize zero-based budgeting, and fund education first and early.

"With our state government facing the biggest budget crisis since the 1980s, it is imperative that both parties work together to resolve our state's problems," stated Senator James Williamson, R-Tulsa, the Senate's Republican Leader.

"Our initial reaction to the governor's budget and his State of the State address is that Governor Henry is willing to make some tough choices about the budget priorities of state government. In fact, he probably has more in common with Republican legislators right now than with his own party's legislative leadership," Senator Williamson said.

"We in the House Republican Caucus were encouraged that the governor addressed some longstanding Republican ideas such as zero-based budgeting, streamlining government, cutting administrative costs, and providing more responsible spending in our state. We hope that the Democrat leadership in the House and Senate follow Governor Henry's lead," stated Representative Todd Hiett, R-Kellyville, the House Minority Leader.

While there is much in Governor Henry's budget for Republicans to agree with, the GOP leaders did express concerns that the governor did not propose workers compensation reform, comprehensive tort reform, or any long-term economic development measures except education in his State of the State address.

Senator Williamson and Representative Hiett praised Governor Henry for joining their call for the Democrat-controlled Legislature to fund classroom education first and early in the current legislative session.

"This Legislature and Governor Henry must now move forward and fund education first. This is our state's top priority and we are committed to accomplishing this goal by the month's end," Representative Hiett said.

"Oklahomans can't afford more cuts in the classroom, and funding education first and early is the only way to ensure that this year's cuts are restored and that classroom education is properly funded," Senator Williamson said.

For more information, contact:
Senate Communications Division - (405) 521-5605