Inman: ‘Disappointing session’

The leader of House Democrats, Rep. Scott Inman of Del City, says the 2014 session of the Legislature was a disappointment: http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/capitol_report/legisaltive-session-a-disappointment-house-minority-leader-says/article_af8bb798-74e4-544d-814c-3456a37ccb00.html

House Minority Leader Scott Inman on Tuesday said the most recent legislative session was a disappointment.

Lawmakers adjourned a week early last Friday after passing a $7.1 billion state budget.

“On the whole, we think it was a pretty disappointing session, marked by not only bad legislation, but also marked by some real ugly infighting between the governor and House Republicans,” Inman said.

Toward the end of session, Gov. Mary Fallin vetoed 15 House bills, telling lawmakers to quit wasting time and focus on big issues.

The Legislature overrode one of those vetoes and revived a number of bills in different legislation.

Inman, D-Del City, said a measure allowing new state employees to have a defined contribution system, such as a 401(k), as opposed to a defined benefit system, a traditional pension, was the worst piece of legislation passed.

He said the measure will provide less of an incentive for people to work for the state and will result in those who work for the state retiring into poverty or near poverty.

Supporters of the measure said it was necessary to make state employment more attractive to those who want a retirement system that is portable. They also said it would assist in reducing the state retirement systems’ unfunded liability.

Inman said that failure to find a funding solution to complete the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum in Oklahoma City was a disappointment. The measure was mothballed last year after lawmakers balked at additional dollars.

Inman said one of the best measures to come out of the session was a plan to increase the pay of some state workers, many of whom have not had a raise in years.

Inman said he was glad the state was moving forward with a

$120 million bond issue to fix the crumbing state Capitol, which is plagued by structural, plumbing and electrical problems.

“I think when they crack this nut open, they are going to find there are a lot more problems in the state Capitol than what they originally anticipated,” Inman said.

While Inman was disappointed in the session, Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman cited accomplishments, calling the session productive and challenging.

Accomplishments included a tax cut, a balanced budget, the plan to fix the Capitol and pay raises for some employees, Bingman, R-Sapulpa, said on Friday.


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