"Oklahoma Won Today"
March 5th, 2010
DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everybody! The Oklahoma Senate was the scene last week of a battle over the values we share.
Supplemental funding bills for a host of state agencies came before the Senate. The bills were crafted between Republican legislative leadership and the Democratic governor, restoring many cuts caused by the national recession.
From education to public safety, the supplements met many needs. Still, there was one glaring omission – senior nutrition programs, which got the largest cut of all. This was unacceptable to many of us.
So, we opposed a pair of supplemental funding bills until senior nutrition needs were addressed. It was a tense time with finger-pointing and accusations. Some chose to complain about “not having a seat at the table.” Others tried to score political points, suggesting we would hurt public safety by forcing furloughs among State Troopers and Corrections officers.
My position was simple – this battle was not about politics, and certainly was not about the politicians. It was about our values as a state.
Today, it was seniors left out of a budget; tomorrow, it could be public schools, or public safety, or roads and bridges. Had we not stood up for senior Oklahomans today, we could not stand up for Troopers tomorrow – or teachers, or Corrections officers, or whoever might be shortchanged in the next budget.
Budgets are statements of our values, speaking to what is most important to us and the direction we believe our state should go. For me, I could not support a budget that – on its face – did not reflect the basic value we learn as children: Respect your elders.
As the standoff continued, the pressure grew and accusations flew. Some tried to “divide and conquer,” driving wedges between longtime allies. It was a cynical effort that was not worthy of the importance of this battle.
As the Senate prepared to again consider the disputed funding bills, negotiations intensified. With the clock running down, a group of us proposed a solution that reflected our values, met the critical needs, and gave both sides a chance declare victory.
Of the three things we wanted for senior nutrition, the solution contained two of them. First, senior nutrition funding will be moved from the Human Services Commission, which had cut the program. Second was a commitment that fair funding for senior nutrition be part of the budget beginning July 1.
Senior advocates told us these were the two most important victories they needed. The other item – which both sides wanted – was passage of the budget supplements, ensuring Troopers and Corrections officers would not be furloughed and remain on the job keeping us all safe.
The compromise spoke to the better angels of our nature. In the end, we found common ground and honored our values. When reporters asked me if we had won, I said, “Oklahoma won today.” And we did.
Thanks again for reading this week’s “Senate Minute.” Have a great week, and may God bless you all.