Governor Stitt Slams Legislature Over Budget

Governor Kevin Stitt ripped into the state legislature, accusing lawmakers of reneging on a deal to fill a massive budget shortfall caused by COVID-19. 

“We had a deal with the legislature to fully fund state government for April, May and June of this year which is fiscal year 2020. I’m committed to standing by that deal.” Stitt said, “House leadership wanted to use this time to play Washington D.C. politics and sneak in some last minute changes while Oklahomans are hurting.”

In a bipartisan move, the legislature this week approved three bills to fill a $450 million budget shortfall caused by tax revenue shortages from low oil prices and high unemployment. But the legislature did not include full funding for computer upgrades, one of the governor’s number one projects.

“When we’re working 24-hours a day to address the COVID crisis and then to come here and play politics is very disappointing,” Stitt said.

So, the governor signed two of the three bills. He didn’t veto the third, tactically a clever move because the legislature could have overridden the veto.  The two bills will fund government for April.

“This is no time to play politics. I’m asking the legislature to come back in and fully fund state government for May and June of this year.” Stitt said.

Representative Kevin Wallace (R) Budget Chair said the governor was not in negotiations.

“The cuts were not snuck into the bill. We’ve been having conversations with his representative. What I’m really concerned about is maybe the communications within the negotiations were not getting back to the governor,” Wallace said.

“It’s just frustrating for me and I’m sure it is for all Oklahomans that some think that this is the time to play political games.” Stitt said.

No word when the legislature will return to the Capitol.