Democratic legislative leaders gripe about GOP policies, special session goals

Able to do little else of substance, the leaders of the Democratic superminority in the Legislature are lambasting Gov. Stitt's call of a special session, and GOP priorities in general:

Democratic leaders comment on special session call

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 14th) – Democratic legislative leaders Kay Floyd and Cyndi Munson released the following statement regarding the governor’s call for a special session on October 3, 2023.

“It’s concerning that the governor continues circumventing the standard legislative process even as he calls for transparency. The Constitution directs us to govern in a way that allows for public input and thorough examination through the committee process. Special sessions should only be used for urgent issues, not regular policy proposals rooted in political ideology. Oklahomans deserve to have their voices heard.” –  Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City.

“The governor’s call for a special session is political grandstanding rooted in his desire to place the national spotlight on himself, not serve the people he claims to protect. Forcing a special session around issues vaguely defined by the governor is not transparent or collaborative, nor is it responsive to the needs of every day Oklahomans. A special session is not the appropriate avenue to address the loss of billions of dollars in revenue with potential threats to public safety, schools and roads that would result from the elimination of state income taxes.” – House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City.

House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson Responds to Speaker's Special Session Comments

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 14th) – House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City said the Republican-controlled House had every opportunity during the regular session to put money in the pockets of every day, hard-working Oklahomans, but instead chose to prioritize tax cuts for big corporations and wealthy families.

She said the special session is not the place to reduce revenue for core services like public safety, healthcare and education.

“When the Republican supermajority had the opportunity to put money in the pockets of everyday hardworking Oklahomans, they instead chose to pad the pockets of big companies. Instead of eliminating taxes on groceries, which would help all four million Oklahomans, Republicans chose to spend $55 million taxpayer dollars to eliminate the corporate franchise tax,” Leader Munson said.

Leader Munson also highlighted the state’s nearly $900 million dollar investment to entice one company to come to Oklahoma.

“Rather than put money in the pockets of Oklahomans desperately struggling with the increased costs of groceries, gas and utilities, the Republican supermajority chose to give $843 million dollars over two years to one company to entice them to come to Oklahoma,” she said.

She also added that the Republicans scrapped the elimination of the grocery sales tax in favor of subsidizing private school tuition for wealthy families.

“The Republican supermajority chose to give $132 million of our hard-earned tax dollars to wealthy families so that the entire state can pay for their kids to attend private schools. They had their opportunity to take care of the people of Oklahoma during regular session and they didn’t do it. Now, they want to cut taxes when the state needs revenue to invest in public safety for our communities and in our schools. We have to protect our citizens and make sure Oklahoma is a place where we all can thrive,” Leader Munson said.