OKLAHOMA CITY (OP) –
If legislators are good boys and girls,
and get a state budget compiled,
they will get a puppy, Gov. Brad
Henry announced last week.
The
offer is the latest in a series of political
maneuvers as Democrats and
Republicans wrestle over appropriations
issues.
“I've thought it over and, if the
Legislature can produce a budget
that incorporates funding for all-day
kindergarten, we'll go to the pound
and get a puppy,”
Henry said.
“Yay!” said state Democrats.
“Certainly, we had hoped for
puppy and ice cream, but we are
willing to compromise,” said Senate
appropriation chair Johnnie
Crutchfield, D-Ardmore
However, soon after the
announcement of the offer, Republican
leadership accused the governor
of playing politics.
“The cuteness of puppies notwithstanding, we reject the governor's attempts to woo the Legislature,”
said House Speaker Todd
Hiett, R-Kellyville.
Hiett said Henry had used the
tactic in the past, most recently
when he promised to take lawmakers
to Six Flags if they backed his
education lottery bill.
While Republicans rejected
the puppy proposal, they did leave
the door open for future negotiation.
“I want a pony,”
said House
Speaker Pro Tem Susan Winchester.
