Gov. Mary Fallin and legislative leaders talked with the news media during a preview of the legislative session on Thursday sponsored by the Associated Press. Oklahoma Watch reporter Nate Robson live-tweeted the event. Following are the tweets, assembled by Oklahoma Watch intern Jenny Nygren.
Several Oklahoma lawmakers will address the media this morning in preparation for start of the session next week. We will tweet highlights
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
Speakers include @RepScottInman @RepHickman @GovMaryFallin and Sen. Bingman — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
House Minority leader @RepScottInman starts the session out. Says people will be saddled with the worst budget we’ve seen in a generation.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@RepScottInman Republicans will blame budget crisis on low oil. They still cut education when oil was $100 a barrel #oklaed — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@RepScottInman: If Republicans answer is raise taxes on lower/middle class with sales or cigarette tax, Dem. caucus will rise up #okleg
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@RepScottInman dodges question on whether he will run for governor. Says he needs to focus on reelection. #okleg — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@repscottInman taking questions from media on earthquakes & shipping in … https://t.co/RLcPr4Fm1s pic.twitter.com/oEVEPk989x
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@RepScottInman Why is it now Republicans offer up solutions to teacher pay when we have a $1billion shortfall. #oklaed #okleg — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@RepScottInman: Is it because Dems have flipped two Rep. seats vowing to run on opposing tax cuts? #oklaed #okleg
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@RepScottInman If they really wanted to increase teacher pay, they would’ve done it when first a crisis, not wait to now. #oklaed #okleg — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@RepScottInman: Embarrassing number of ballot measures proposed. Lawmakers pushing issues they should/can solve onto voters #okleg
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@RepScottInman on criminal justice reform: Whether liberal/conservative, it makes sense. This needs leadership from @GovMaryFallin #okleg — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@RepScottInman Is done speaking. Taking short break until the next speaker comes up: @RepHickman #okleg
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@RepHickman speaking now. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@RepHickman raises concerns of another midyear budget cut if revenue comes in below break-even point in final 6 months. #okleg
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@RepHickman Record $8.2Billion going to education. Education funding up 5.8% since 2007. More money needs to go to classroom #oklaed #okleg — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@RepHickman We’ve prioritized education. I’m worried about departments we’ve already cut to make education a priority #oklaed #okleg
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@RepHickman We need to look at sales tax exemptions. Those total $7.2 billion, and state faces almost $1 billion shortfall. #okleg — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@RepHickman says state also needs to look at off the top funding ($2 billion) and tax credits. #okleg
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@RepHickman: Based on current revenue projections, it’s very likely there will be more midyear cuts unless legislature takes action #okleg — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
Sen. Brian Bingman is speaking now.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
Bingman: I didn’t file lots of bills this year. My focus is on the budget. We need to make difficult decisions. Can’t kick the can. #okleg — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
Bingman: Legislature propping up someone’s budget now if another midyear cut doesn’t help with worse budget situation next year #okleg
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
Bingman: I think teachers generically need a raise. Some senators have put some ideas out there #oklaed #okleg — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
Bingman floats merging dependent school districts with larger districts to cut administrative overhead. Money could go to teachers #oklaed
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
Bingman is done speaking. @GovMaryFallin is coming up next. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@GovMaryFallin is up now.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@GovMaryFallin will preview some of her state of the state address and changes since 2011 #okleg pic.twitter.com/y9zC1Ct86l — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@GovMaryFallin Basically, we have a 1950s budget system. We are using VHS when today it’s Netflix. Times have changed. #okleg
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@GovMaryFallin Calls for addressing the restrictions on revenue streams: off-the-top funding, revolving funds, tax incentives. #okleg — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@GovMaryFallin: Leg. has 3 options on budget. Cut $900 billion, use tricks to make it look like crisis solved, or restructure budget #okleg
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@GovMaryFallin says she will make proposal to increase teacher pay. You can hear more on that here https://t.co/9d9jfReO8q #oklaed #okleg — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@GovMaryFallin makes a call for Legislature to send her an Education Savings Account bill for her to sign. #okleg #oklaed
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@GovMaryFallin says parents and students need options to choose their schools afforded under education savings accounts #oklaed #okleg — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@GovMaryFallin calls for changes in corrections. Says those with mental health & substance abuse issues often come out #okleg
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@GovMaryFallin calls for putting $1.4 million in reserve funds to looking at issues of earthquakes in Oklahoma. — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
Money would hire more geologist and staff, more monitoring of seismic activity, better mapping and more research and studies #okleg
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@GovMaryFallin has approved the use of $1.4 million to look at earthquakes. Money will come from emergency fund used for disasters. #okleg — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
On civil asset forfeiture, @GovMaryFallin says open to ideas to improve system. Adds there are good points made by both sides #okleg
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@GovMaryFallin says she will not comment on specific bills since they can change before they get to her desk. #okleg — Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016
.@GovMaryFallin is done speaking, and that’s the end of this event.
— Oklahoma Watch (@OklahomaWatch) January 28, 2016