Last Week to File Bills: Fallin in the Bahamas and State House Working Part Time

For Immediate Release
Oklahoma Democratic Party
March 14, 2011

Last Week to File Bills: Fallin in the Bahamas and State House Working Part Time

While hardworking Oklahomans put in long hours to provide for their families, Governor Fallin is taking an exotic vacation to the Bahamas and GOP leaders in the House and Senate are vowing to take it easy.

According to the Tulsa World, Fallin spokesman Alex Weintz said the governor left Saturday afternoon for the Bahamas with her husband and three of their children. Meanwhile, the state of Oklahoma is burning and House Republicans are spiraling out of control. Just this week, Rep. Randy Terrill (R-Moore) has been reprimanded by the House of Representatives for violently threatening to break the Speaker of the House’s leg and referring to him as a mentally handicapped person. Fallin is expected to return to the state Thursday afternoon or evening.

This vacation is taking place during bill deadline week -- a time during legislative session where traditionally, all hands are on deck to get all bills filed. Instead, the state Senate has elected to adjourn Wednesday and the state house is choosing to meet from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday. In previous years, House and Senate members have worked until midnight during deadline week. House Floor Leader Daniel Sullivan (R-Tulsa) said, "I don't plan to stay late. If bills are not heard within the time allowed, they will not be heard”.

Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Todd Goodman was appalled by the Republican party’s behavior. “While most Oklahomans rise early and work hard everyday to put a roof over their family’s heads and food on the table, the GOP leadership sees fit to kick up their heels and throw up their hands. These are not the values Oklahomans expect from their elected officials. We have a budget crisis to solve and all state agencies are having to make tough financial decisions.”

Goodman also added, “The Governor taking an exotic vacation, less than three months after she took the oath of office, during filing week and during a state of emergency is downright irresponsible.”

Posted on Fri, March 18, 2011 by Todd Goodman

3 comments (Add your own)

1. Lila Mach wrote:: If the State of Oklahoma, like many others, keep on not paying attention to what the politicians they are voting for are all about -- Well Fallin and her fellow Republicans are what we get. Not qualified, not caring, not WORKING for the people who elected them -- but for themselves. It is so difficult to understand -- but people are being duped! I guess since education in this Country has deteriorated, so have the thinking quality of our voting public!
Fri, March 18, 2011 @ 4:22 PM
2. David wrote:: It is a bad feeling to know you have that many politicians trying to fleece the people for more money. They can't raise taxes so every fee that exist has been increased. When not having a second thought when they board their private flights, stay in hotels the people can't afford, best suits money can buy or lobbyist can buy. Eat the finest foods that our money can buy. Remember the Government has NO money except what they take from the people. We think other Countries have problems. People we are in trouble right here in good ol' Oklahoma. Not to mention the cess pool we have in Washington!
Hate to say it but at some point the US people will have to take the Government back as we have witnessed in other countries. We have been forgotten, it is all about reelection. How do they leave office much wealthier than when first elected. Everyone please pray for the USA or does that offend someone, should have asked. Good luck!!!d
Fri, March 18, 2011 @ 11:00 PM
3. elizabeth perry wrote:: Dear Voters,
You realize that Democrats were called many names last Fall. And Fox news reporters stated Democrats were creating a class war. The the class war has been called, but Democrats did not call it. This attack on hard working tax payers started with the overtaking of the government last fall. Although the big banks and Wall Street caused this downward turn in our economy, the teachers, firefighters, and other union members are being blamed for it. We are being asked to pay for it. Why? Did you hear about creating jobs during campaigns? I did! I have never been foolish enough to believe that Republicans cared about the working class! If you were foolish enough to vote for Republicans last time, make it your LAST Time! Try to remember how you were treated by them after YOU elected them.They represent big money, big banks, big corporations, that is all!Beleive it, actions speak louder than any words!!! All the deficits could have been erased with just one change! .. Back to reasonable taxes for the uber rich!!! But, instead we all suffer.
Fri, March 18, 2011 @ 11:27 PM

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