Al McAffrey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 16, 2009
Contact: info@almcaffrey.com

Oklahoma City - Today, Oklahoma State Representative Al McAffrey (D-OKC) announced his opposition to Republican plans for additional funding cuts to state agencies. While a 5 percent cut in funding to state agencies has already been taking its toll on programs like senior nutrition centers, Republican leadership in the State Legislature is proposing more funding cuts.

"The Republican leadership in the House and Senate have successfully granted excessive tax cuts for the wealthy while laying the burden of operating our state on Oklahoma's middle class families," said Oklahoma State Representative Al McAffrey. "Their smooth talking points during campaign season might sound appealing, but the budget crisis we face is a direct result of the Republican leadership's failure to lead."

Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry has proposed using the state's $600 million Rainy Day Fund to meet the demands of the budget shortfall during the current fiscal year. Henry has already warned that deeper funding cuts to state agencies could jeopardize core services.

"I support using the Rainy Day Fund to keep core services, like senior nutrition centers, up and running," said McAffrey. "However, when the legislature comes back into session in February we have to address solutions to the budget crisis that will not jeopardize vital state services that millions of Oklahomans depend on. As for me, I expect more than empty rhetoric from the Republican leadership. I've met with too many seniors in my district who have been negatively affected by these budget cuts. It's time for better solutions that don't put a massive burden on Oklahoma's seniors and working families."

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