Fallin says, ‘Enough is enough!’
Oklahoma’s elected state politicians should find budgetary compromise to avoid more chaos, Gov. Mary Fallin said in her final State of the State address Monday.
Fallin’s remarks pulled into focus the results of inaction, and consequences of continuing to fill budget holes with one-time sources of revenue.
“One path would be to continue year after year with an air of uncertainty that consumes our thoughts, drains our hopes — like the old saying of robbing Peter to pay Paul — then Paul runs out of cash,” Fallin said. “If we are to effect change, we can’t keep doing the same old thing
and expect a different result. That path will lead to more chaos at the Capitol.”
Instead, the governor offered her support for the tax hikes and government reforms proposed by Step Up Oklahoma, a group of business and civic leaders who’ve earned support from a wide range of advocacy groups.
“This is a defining moment for our state,” Fallin said. “We have two clear choices — we can continue down a path of sliding backward, or the second path is to say ‘Enough is enough! We can do better! We deserve better! Our children deserve better!’”
Speaker of the House Charles McCall said Monday that he would put the proposals up for a vote, asking for help from Democrats who so far have only shown modest support for an overall budget deal that includes the Step Up proposals.
“I understand that House Democrats have some concerns with the package; to be clear, House Republicans certainly don’t like everything in the coalition’s plan, either — but that is why it is a compromise,” McCall said.
House Democrats are critical to securing a budget deal like this because their votes are needed to raise taxes, especially because there may be conservative Republicans in the chamber who will vote to oppose the tax hikes.
After the governor’s speech, Democrats called for changes to the plan before they would support it. State Rep. Emily Virgin, D-Norman, said the caucus wants the top income tax bracket rate to be raised from 5 percent to 5.25 percent, the state’s standard deduction to be tied again to the federal deduction amount, and the restoration of the Earned Income Tax Credit.
“This caucus’ test for any tax package has always been whether it brings in sufficient revenue and whether it is fair and equitable for all Oklahomans,” said Virgin, who chairs the House Democratic Caucus. “For too long, low and middle-income Oklahomans have been asked to pay more than those at the top.”
The Democrats would support raising the gasoline tax if the income tax changes are fair and “doesn’t ask even more from those living paycheck to paycheck,” Virgin said.
The demands aren’t new and have been a part of Democratic budget proposals over the past year.
Senate GOP leaders, including President Pro Tem Mike Schulz, R-Altus, expressed support for the Step Up Oklahoma plan but said the Legislature must focus on budget reforms and efficiency. He acknowledged that revenue-raising bills would first have to pass the House.
Senate Democratic Leader John Sparks, D-Norman, said it will become harder for lawmakers to vote for tax increases later in session.
In the governor’s speech, she reminded legislators about who would be affected by the policies that will be considered this year.
“Before you cast your vote, focus on the teacher who will see a $5,000 salary increase not just as a way to pay bills, but as a validation of their vital vocation, and a business community that sees how committed we are to a strong, educated workforce,” she said. “Or perhaps, as you reach for the vote button, you may want to picture in your mind a caregiver who seeks the state’s help so an elderly mother or father can live out their final years with security and dignity.
“Or maybe — before your vote — think about the young college students in this chamber. Much of their future and that of an entire generation of Oklahomans rests with the decision you make when we appropriately fund education.”
In an unusual move, Fallin didn’t dwell on her legacy or accomplishments since she took office in 2011.
“Tradition tempts me to take this opportunity to reflect on the past seven years on what has been my blessing to serve as governor of the state we all love. But today is not for yielding to tradition. Today is not to look over our shoulder, but to press on ahead for a better future,” Fallin said. “And that, my friends, is the last you will hear from me today about the previous seven years. Let’s focus on the future and make sure we recognize and embrace
the opportunity we have in front of us.”
The State of the State speech drew responses from advocacy groups, including the Oklahoma Public Employees Association. While Fallin mentioned a proposed teacher pay raise, she did not specifically call on lawmakers to enact a salary hike for state employees.
“State employees and the services they provide can no longer be forgotten as we plan to move Oklahoma forward,” said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley.
Department of Corrections Director Joe Allbaugh praised Fallin for mentioning her desire for criminal justice reform legislation, which he said would help reduce the state’s over-capacity prison population. In perhaps the biggest applause break of her speech, Fallin said “smart on crime” policies influence the state’s success.
“Too few Oklahomans are getting the treatment they need for substance abuse and mental health issues, and are instead winding up in our criminal justice system,” Fallin said. “We need to stop warehousing moms and dads, sons and daughters in prison when many just need some substance abuse treatment.”
Oklahomans, she said, deserve nothing less than an “enduring reality for a promising future.”
“Now is the time to summon courage. Now is the time to invest,” she said. “And now is the time to do the people’s work.”