House votes to approve state budget after hours of heated conversations
Representative Trey Caldwell (R-Faxon) was the chair of the Joint Committee for Appropriations and Budget, which works to build the budget throughout the session.
'This budget is not perfect,' said Caldwell. 'But it is a very good budget, and I stand behind it.'
Rep. John Pfeiffer (R-Orlando) said the budget was the most transparent process that republican lawmakers have experienced.
Both sides of the House agreed on a few items: spending $200 million on a pediatric heart hospital through the University of Oklahoma and $250 million on a facility for OSU's veterinary school.
Cosmetologists try to convince lawmakers to override governor's veto
House Democrats were far from happy, however, with other ways their Republican counterparts planned to spend taxpayer dollars. They questioned and debated the budget for several hours Tuesday.'In this budget, we are leaving Oklahomans out,' said Rep. Trish Ranson (D-Stillwater).
Rep. Michelle McCane (D-Tulsa) said there was a lack of future thinking and a lack of genuine concern for Oklahomans in the proposed budget.
Democrats also questioned the timing of a quarter-percent tax cut and flat budgets for some state agencies.
House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson (D-Oklahoma City) said it left no room to help many struggling Oklahomans.
'I still think we can do more for teachers. There were policies put forth on increasing teacher pay from both sides of the aisle, from members, from both chambers,' said Munson. 'There's still more we can do.'
House Democrats also said they were not part of the budget plan, but Republicans said they had an open-door policy during the process.
'If you're claiming your, you didn't have input on the budget, it's because you didn't take advantages of the opportunities that were offered,' said Rep. John Pfeiffer (R-Orlando).'When I hear my colleagues say, 'You had every chance to come and talk to us and share your concerns,'' said Rep. Trish Ranson (D-Stillwater). 'We have, but we are always met with 'No, not this year.''The budget will now have to go before the full Senate for a vote, and if approved, it will be sent to Gov. Stitt's desk.
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