OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House Democrats on Monday unveiled their legislative agenda for the 58th Legislative Session.
The “Oklahoma Focused Agenda” is a series of policies the caucus has put together after speaking to Oklahomans across the state about “the need for policymakers to refocus their efforts on Oklahoma citizens,” House Minority Leader Emily Virgin said.
“This agenda is a commitment,” said Virgin, D-Norman.
“Across the state, citizens are wondering when their government is going to stop pandering to outside interests, D.C. talking points and presidential politics, and start advocating for Oklahoma Focused policies.”
The Oklahoma Focused Agenda covers a wide array of topics and is divided into four categories: criminal justice reform, economy, education, and health care. The caucus plans to release social media videos from each group to explain their recommended legislation, Virgin said.
“The policies we have put forward are not ideological milestones,” said Caucus Chair Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City. “They are tangible ways we can make our state better and increase the quality of life abroad.”
The Democrats acknowledged that their minority position in the Legislature makes accomplishing some of the policies a long shot.
“I think all of my colleagues, even those on the opposite side of the aisle, came to this job to do some good in the lives of Oklahomans,” said Caucus Vice Chair Monroe Nichols, D-Tulsa. “The problem is that it’s not happening. We see it every year when the budget is being negotiated. Instead of shooting for the stars, we limit the steps we can take and shoot for what will get us out of the building fastest.”
The Oklahoma Focused Agenda is an alternative, Nichols said. “We can either continue to reject the needs of our people or we can come together and build Oklahoma Focused solutions.” The Democrats’ proposals include:
• Jobs and the economy: strengthen workforce readiness programs and apprenticeships, end predatory lending practices, increase the minimum wage, expand family leave, reform the state tax structure and make it more equitable, and restore the Earned Income Tax Credit.
• Criminal justice reform: reform mandatory minimum sentencing, fully fund courts and district attorneys’ offices with General Revenue instead of myriad fines and fees imposed on defendants, stop dangerous policing practices, provide more re-entry opportunities for ex-cons, and end the cash bail system, which results in many defendants being locked behind bars for weeks and months prior to trial because they can’t afford to post bond.
• Education: ensure safe and healthy environments for children, keep public tax dollars in public schools, increase oversight of charter schools, make testing meaningful, recruit and retain great teachers.
• Health Care: decrease Oklahoma’s high maternal and infant mortality rates, lower prescription drug prices and address the rising cost of health care, create a nurse retention program, eliminate Oklahoma’s “food deserts,” and increase funding for mental health, substance use prevention and treatment services.