Powell Calls for Incentive Reductions, Agency Consolidation

Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Chris Powell believes the Legislature has yet to put a serious effort into prioritizing spending in state government. He spoke with voters on Monday and pointed out little action has been taken on recommendations by the Incentive Evaluation Commission. Powell also noted the work of finding and eliminating wasteful incentives has yet to be finished.

“We have close to half a billion dollars in subsidies, exemptions, and incentives going to a variety of special interests,” said Powell, “surely it would not be a disaster to end some of that.”

Powell also said that in her time in office, Governor Fallin and the Legislature have failed to implement substantial reduction, consolidation or elimination of the 231 state agencies.

“Gov. Fallin repeatedly promised to not raise taxes and to ‘right-size’ state government,” Powell said, “and even claimed to have provided a list of ‘efficiencies’ to legislative leaders at the beginning of the first special session last year.  But one the one occasion when the Legislature did pass a package of targeted cuts, she vetoed all 49 of them.”

“Everyone wants core services funded,” Powell explained, “but so many groups and individuals think raising taxes is necessary only because neither the Legislature nor the Governor have tried to meaningfully reduce spending on crony capitalist incentives or less important parts of state government.  Voters should demand that the elected officials of the two establishment parties make a serious effort to scrutinize state spending, and look elsewhere for political leadership if the demand isn’t met.”


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