More OKC BS from the governor. This time Gov. Henry has basically left Tulsa in the dust and taken a project that was slated for Tulsa in the first place-he still wants to use YOUR TAX money, but he wants it for OKC. What am I talking about, you may be thinking...we'll I'm talking about the Indian Cultural Center that has been slated for Tulsa at the base of Turkey Mountain is being taken from you and If left up to Gov. Henry will soon become a reality for OKC. Tell Gov. Henry this unacceptable, please.
JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World
Gov. Brad Henry acknowledges people in the crowd awaiting his State of the State address Monday at the state Capitol.
By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
2/5/2008
He wants the Legislature to increase pay for teachers and state employees and to expand the school year.
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Gov. Brad Henry called Monday for raises for teachers and state employees, five more school days and increased physical activity time for elementary school students.
Henry delivered his sixth State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature, which met Monday in the House chamber, opening the second session of the 51st Legislature. Lawmakers must adjourn May 30.
Henry's proposed state budget totals $7.3 billion, including an additional $138 million in spending.
In his 22-minute speech, Henry called for an average teacher pay raise of $1,200, weighted toward veteran teachers and those with advanced degrees, to bring salaries to the regional average. The proposal would cost $68.5 million.
He also wants a 5 percent pay raise for state employees, at a cost of $65 million for a full year.
Henry also said, "The length of Oklahoma's school year lags behind most other states and industrialized countries.
"That's why I propose we adopt the recommendations of Superintendent Sandy Garrett and the Time Reform Task Force and expand the school year by five days.
"This small step will help prepare our children to be more competitive academically."
State finance officials have said the state will have about $32 million in new money available for fiscal year 2009, which begins July 1. An additional $106 million is available in cash and from other sources.
Henry noted that recent legislation requires at least 60 minutes of physical activity in elementary schools, and he called on lawmakers to double that.
He also wants to put graduation coaches in schools, at a cost of $2.5 million, and fully fund endowed chairs at Oklahoma colleges.
Henry asked lawmakers to fund the Department of Corrections adequately and to build on drug courts, mental health courts and substance abuse treatment programs, including those inside prisons. His budget includes $21 million to tide the Department of Corrections over until the end of this fiscal year June 30.
He acknowledged that this is an election year but appealed to lawmakers to put aside partisan bickering and reactionary politics.
"We will face disagreements, but it is the civil exchange of ideas and respect for diverse viewpoints that make our democracy and our state strong," said Henry, who is in the second year of a second four-year term. "Together, we will find solutions that benefit all Oklahomans."
Henry's budget also calls for $189 million in bond issues, including $45 million for the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum under construction in Oklahoma City and nearly $25 million for the Office of Juvenile Affairs. The bulk of that money will be used to rebuild the L.E. Rader Center in Sand Springs.
Henry's speech was interrupted 24 times by applause.
However, the ceremonies turned somber when lawmakers participated in a moment of silence for former Rep. Opio Toure, D-Oklahoma City, who died Monday morning in an Oklahoma City hospital.
to contact Mr. Henry...
http://www.governor.state.ok.us/message.php
