Press release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, released the following statement:
“The story of this legislative session is one of both progress and missed opportunities. After a decade of revenue failures and drastic budget cuts, last year legislators came together to pass a historic bipartisan revenue package. As a result, our state finances are no longer in crisis.
“We had a chance this legislative session to build on last year’s progress by investing in our public schools and restoring core state services. The budget passed by the legislature this week takes some positive steps, but also falls short in addressing some critical priorities. It is disappointing $200 million is left in a bank account when we still have many unmet needs. Saving for the future is important, but you can’t save when you haven’t yet paid your bills.
“The funding increase for education is less than half of what the State Department of Education requested, and Oklahoma spends over $1,000 less per student in education funding than our neighboring states.
“Oklahoma has the second highest uninsured rate in the country, yet the legislature did not take action to expand access to SoonerCare, which would help cover an additional 233,000 people. There was no consideration of restoring the refundable Earned Income Tax Credit, which would provide tax relief for over 200,000 hardworking Oklahomans.
“The Senate Democrats remain committed to working with our colleagues on these issues in the coming months and in the next legislative session.”
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