Richardson blames Fallin, Lamb for Special Session impasse

Richardson Calls Breakdown at Special Session "Lack of Conservative Leadership"

Tulsa, OK, September 26, 2017 – Gary Richardson called on the Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the President of the Senate to come together to bring a conservative solution to the special session in the midst of the House going into recess over the failure of a clear plan.

"What happened today is the result of frustration from a lack of conservative leadership from Governor Fallin and Lt. Governor Todd Lamb, " said Richardson.  "We have the Governor threatening to veto anything that isn't a tax increase, and a Lt. Governor who sits on the sideline while the Senate he can take over anytime as President of the Senate proposed a $1.50 cigarette tax increase and a 6-cent increase on the gasoline tax."

Richardson then explained how the Oklahoma Lt. Governor is the one constitutionally in charge of the State Senate.  "According to Article 5, Section 28 of the State Constitution, the Lt. Governor is the one who presides over the State Senate," said Richardson.  "Lamb could fulfill his constitutional powers as President of the Senate and block any tax increases.  Yet the silence of Lamb is deafening."

"Luckily, a core group of conservative Republicans who understand that we have a spending problem and not a revenue problem are standing strong against any tax increase, which led to the recess of the State House today," said Richardson.   "It's time we have a Governor and Lt. Governor who will join these conservatives and lead on the Republican principles they campaigned on."

Gary Richardson is a Republican candidate for Governor of Oklahoma.  He is a former U.S. Attorney appointed by President Ronald Reagan and a founding member of the law firm, Richardson, Richardson, and Boudreaux.  Gary and his wife, Lanna, reside in Tulsa. Together, they have five children and eleven grandchildren. They are active members of South Tulsa Baptist Church.  Learn more at GaryRichardson.org.