House Democrats responded today to the passage of HB 2301, the Republican budget proposal, with this statement:
“House Democrats are deeply disappointed in the passage of HB 2301, which was written without the input of the vast majority of the legislature. Agencies that have taken on draconian cuts since 2008 will continue to struggle under this budget. Our schools will continue to struggle to keep the doors open and class sizes will continue to grow under this budget. The staffing and security crises in our correctional facilities will continue under this budget. Our university systems and college students will continue to take on debt because the costs of higher education will continue to escalate without alleviation under this budget. The services for our veterans will continue to disintegrate under this budget. Republicans would rather direct money to renovate buildings and office space than truly meet the needs of core state agencies. This short-sighted budget will only harm Oklahoma’s future by failing to adequately reinvest in services like our education system, public safety, and our veterans.”
Was that said with a straight face???