We don’t have to look very far to find behavior of bratty children, as it continues to run rampant at the Oklahoma State Capitol. While school children are walking out of their classrooms to hold rallies and march to the Capitol in an effort to urge legislators to end the systematic destruction of public education, their outcries fall on deaf ears as lawmakers consider legislation to ban students from using facilities which correspond to their gender identity.

“We tell our children to be themselves, to be proud of who they are, then turn around and tell them to do all of that only if it’s on someone else’s terms. Is it not enough that our children must deal with crumbling school buildings, loss of their favorite teachers, and the elimination of arts and music programs? Must we also facilitate and legitimize bullying as well?” said Sarah Baker, Oklahoma Democratic Party Communications Director.

There is just one week left of session, yet there is no budget, Oklahoma health care options are being wiped out left and right, and school districts are taking drastic measures just to keep the doors open next year. Meanwhile, Speaker Hickman and Pro Tem Brian Bingman hold floor sessions too short to get any real business done and go into recess to throw a party for the Republican House caucus.

“What does it say to the thousands of Oklahoma families who fear losing their local health care provider or the only hospital within an hour’s drive when the legislature can’t conduct any meaningful business for four months?” Baker continued. “What does it say to the parents who may lose their Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – money out of their already stretched pockets – to fill a budget hole created from irresponsible Republican tax cuts to the corporate elite? What about the aspiring musicians who depend on their middle or high school band program to prepare them to seek scholarships for college?

“This year it has become more apparent than ever that the legislative “leadership” within the Republican Party, is not there to do a job but to hold a title. Instead of addressing economic issues, the public education crisis, and a crumbling infrastructure, they get mired down in social issues and wasting taxpayer dollars on unconstitutional legislation.”

The 2016 legislative session is set to adjourn by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 27th.

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