House Democrats
Pay raises for correctional officers, state troopers, and state employees should come before last-ditch efforts to fund with sales tax dollars the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum and the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, House Democrats said Monday.
“While our caucus supports the completion of the two museums, we do not support the introduction of these efforts in the last week of session,” said Democratic Leader Scott Inman, D-Del City. “This scheme to pay for the museums is particularly troubling after Republicans insisted all spring that there is no available dollars, anywhere, to provide salary increases to critical employees who have not seen their pay increase in seven years.”
Leader Inman went on to say that House Democrats will support funding the museums, if, and only if, the legislature does the right thing and this year funds a bonus or pay increase to Department of Corrections employees, state employees and state troopers.
For once I agree with the Democrat leader. Pouring more money into that ghastly money pit called the American Indian Cultural Center is absurd even in flush times.
I don’t usually agree with the democrats, but in this case I do. The money should be spent on our law enforcement officers so they can feed their families and pay for their family’s needs. After the massive work in Moore with this emergency, we need to show our appreciation to those who work the front lines and face the devastation that we can’t fathom.
Don’t sink another dime into these museums…if they are worthy of money, then the private sector and private citizens will pay for the completion.