Senate Leader Being Dishonest About State Budget Proposals

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Minority Leader Scott Inman responded Monday to unfounded claims by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz.
House Democrats “were approached by House Republicans today with another potential revenue-raising option to help balance the state budget,” said Inman, D-Del City. That option involved changes to tribal gaming compacts.

“House Democrats did not propose this idea, nor did we demand it as part of the state budget package,” Inman insisted.
“Any claim by the Senate President Pro Tem that we did is simply false.”

House Democrats previously proposed their “Restoring Oklahoma Budget Plan” which calls for restoration of gross production taxes and other tax cuts.
“We still have hopes that the Pro Tem will finally consider our proposals, which he has ignored for nearly two months.
“What you heard today from the Senate were more distortions by Republican leaders trying desperately to shift attention away from their failed leadership,” Inman said.

“They lied when they said House Democrats weren’t negotiating with them. They lied when they said House Democrats didn’t offer any solutions to the budget shortfall. And now they’re lying about the tribal compact issue – particularly since the Republicans brought that proposal to us.
“It’s time for the Senate Republicans to step up and take responsibility for their mismanagement of the state’s fiscal affairs.”