Tulsa World: Hopefuls for governor vary on plans

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Hopefuls for governor vary on plans
The attorney general and lieutenant governor speak at a forum.

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES
Jari Askins and Drew Edmondson: The two Democratic contenders for the governor's mansion in 2010 spoke Tuesday during the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy's fall forum at the University of Central Oklahoma. GOP candidates U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin and state Sen. Randy Brogdon did not attend.

By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
Published: 10/14/2009 2:20 AM
Last Modified: 10/14/2009 3:41 AM

EDMOND — Attorney General Drew Edmondson on Tuesday said he would find it difficult to sign further tax cuts if he is elected governor.

Lt. Gov. Jari Askins said she would lobby for a legislative session dedicated solely to the state's budget and work for a budget that covers two years instead of one.

Askins said there is very little public confidence in how the state spends its money.

The two Democratic contenders for the governor's mansion in 2010 spoke Tuesday during the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy's fall forum at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Republican candidates U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin and state Sen. Randy Brogdon of Owasso were invited but did not attend.

Gov. Brad Henry, a Democrat, is serving his second term and can't seek re-election.

According to their campaigns, Tuesday's UCO event was the first time that Edmondson and Askins had faced each other in a forum setting.

Edmondson said that he would advocate a zero tolerance on junk food in schools to combat childhood obesity.

Askins said she would create a Governor's Council on Physical Fitness to provide leadership from the top. Oklahoma already has a Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. After the forum, Askins said that she would expand the current council's responsibilities.

Edmondson said he would lobby for a vote of the people on creating a dedicated funding source for Insure Oklahoma, a state-and-federal partnership that helps small businesses

provide health insurance to employees. Edmondson said he would also work to change the financial requirements so more workers could participate in the program.

As governor, Edmondson said he would lobby school districts and the State Department of Education for health education, including sex education, as a means of reducing the teen pregnancy rate.

"It also needs to focus on young boys," Edmondson said.

Askins said that for the past 12 years at the state Capitol, the sentiment has been that sex and health education is most appropriately taught at home. But homes are not what they once were, she said.

She reiterated her suggestion to create a Children's Cabinet, which could study what has worked in other states.

"Clearly, other states are doing better than we are," she said.

Askins said she supports legislation proposed the last few sessions to require insurance companies to cover children with autism.

Edmondson said autism "is a medical condition and should be covered by insurance."

Askins said she would encourage the development of employer day-care centers, which would improve productivity and reduce worker absences.

Edmondson said he would work to ensure that workers who receive slight pay increases are still eligible for state-subsidized day care until they could afford day care on their own.

In some cases, a $5 raise means a worker is no longer eligible for the program, he said.

Barbara Hoberock (405) 528-2465
barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau

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	Report Comment Get out of my bidness!, The Republic of the United States of America (10/14/2009 7:49:29 AM) Eagle, you write some of the best parodies.
	Report Comment Get out of my bidness!, The Republic of the United States of America (10/14/2009 7:50:18 AM) Way to win friends there, Wayne.
	Report Comment Eagle 4, Tulsa (10/14/2009 6:36:14 AM) "Republican candidates U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin and state Sen. Randy Brogdon of Owasso were invited but did not attend." Since children don't vote there must be no reason for them to attend. And since Oklahomans appear to be getting redder about the neck they don't really have to impress a lot of people. Thump a Bible, badmouth opponents and call their characters into question and it's an inhofic(foregone) conclusion.
	Report Comment droopy, wagoner (10/14/2009 7:19:11 AM) Eagle, I'm sure glad you don't do all those things you attribute to Republicans. The Captain doesn't need to worry about signing tax cuts, Ms. Fallin will take care of them.
	Report Comment lufkin, (10/14/2009 4:53:40 PM) The Dems will promise them anything.In Askins case promising programs which already exist.Next are costly mandates for autism coverage.Autism coverage is a big scam.
	Report Comment Faith, (10/14/2009 10:12:09 AM) Wow, Eagle4 you were up early. Good posting, I agree.
	Report Comment Phil # 3, Yukon (10/14/2009 9:07:13 AM) "Askins said she would create a Governor's Council on Physical Fitness to provide leadership from the top." ~ Oh the irony. (Irony is something Eagle 4 seems to not understand as Eagle 4 is badmouthing those who badmouth others about their badmouthing). In reference to sex education: "It also needs to focus on young boys," Edmondson said. Yep, boys need to understand that one sex experience can lead to 18-25 years of very high monthly payments and be excluded from his child's life. "Askins said that for the past 12 years at the state Capitol, the sentiment has been that sex and health education is most appropriately taught at home. But homes are not what they once were, she said." Yep, homes are now very often mom and children without dad and no matter what else is said, a mother simply cannot be a father regardless how much child support is ordered and our society is showing the problems created by such a mistake in social engineering.
	Report Comment Wayne Rohde, (10/14/2009 7:22:40 AM) Thanks to Lt Gov Askins and AG Edmondson for their support of Nick's Law. Speaking for the children that cannot speak for themselves. Too bad that Mary Fallin and Randy Brogdon decided not to show. Maybe they considered this large group of child advocates not worth their time. Just keep on turning your backs on special needs children and turning your backs on the thousands of families across the state and keep on turning your backs on the taxpayers of Oklahoma.

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