OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, issued the following statement after the General Appropriations bill, SB 1177, passed off the House Floor.

“Every year, we hear that the budget we’re voting on is ‘historic’,” Leader Munson said. “But the reality is this: a dollar more in appropriations does not make a budget historic. What makes a budget historic is funding public education that gets us out of last in the nation, ensuring not a single person is cut from Medicaid when the federal government fails us, and using every extra dollar we have to provide real tax relief for working Oklahomans.

“This budget prioritizes special funds and accounts championed by the Governor and President, not Oklahomans. If we have money to sit in special savings accounts, we have enough money to protect core functions of government today. While my Republican colleagues are patting themselves on the back to end session early, Oklahomans are left with a budget that does not fully meet their needs. We have plenty of time to do the real work we know needs to be done to invest more in infrastructure, public safety, and keeping child care centers open. This budget presents real risks for many things we all value–and for me, it is irresponsible and unacceptable that the gavel will hit down to adjourn Sine Die early without these needs being addressed.”

-END-