FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 7, 2011

ODP Chairman’s Response to Gov. Fallin’s State of the State Address

At Monday’s State of the State Address, Gov. Fallin made some good points along with some questionable proposals and avoided addressing some key issues.

One bright spot of Fallin’s address was her statement that she would eliminate tax credits to companies who are not creating jobs. Todd Goodman, Chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, was pleasantly surprised to hear Fallin’s position on this.

“In a year when we are facing a severe budget shortage, we can not afford ill-advised tax breaks that don’t provide jobs,” Goodman said. “I applaud Fallin’s smart government position on this issue.

Gov. Fallin also mentioned she would seek creative ways to address the top national incarceration rates of both men and women in Oklahoma. Goodman said he too applauds this move by Fallin.

Fallin did have some alarming proposals that will certainly have opposition including capping non-economic damages for medical malpractice lawsuits to $250,000, and proposing a public and private sector partnership in the education system.

“I think a child’s life is absolutely worth more than $250,000 to a family when lost because of physicians’ neglect or mistake,” Goodman said. “How can you put a price on the loss of a loved one? And as for education, this will be the department to watch. With the legislature working to strip the Board of Education of its powers, Superintendent Barresi will have a virtual dictatorship with 35 percent of the state’s budget.”

With a $600 million projected revenue shortfall, Fallin gave few specifics as to how to address this crisis. She did not mention how her budget would affect Public Safety or Mental Health Services.

“While Fallin said Education would receive less abrasive cuts than other departments, she failed to mention any projected numbers on these cuts,” Goodman said. “Other important issues missing in her address were Public Safety, Mental Health Services and Immigration.

“This session, there will be many items we will be watching closely especially pertaining to education and budget cuts. We hope Gov. Fallin sees that our children, senior citizens, and most vulnerable citizens cannot be sacrificed in these times, and we need to look at ways to grow our economy that does not lead to a system of absolute corporate welfare.”

-30-