Yesterday, February 1st, marked the first day of Oklahoma's 2010 legislative session. AFP-Oklahoma gathered at the Capitol with other groups from across the state, to talk to local legislators about important issues that concern Oklahomans.

AFP Oklahoma is committed to educating citizens about economic policy and a return of the federal government to its Constitutional limits. We support cutting taxes and government spending in order to halt the encroachment of government in the economic lives of citizens by fighting proposed tax increases and pointing out evidence of waste, fraud, and abuse.

*This list of bills is not all inclusive, and bill numbers are very likely to change in the coming weeks.

Here’s a list of bills we are addressing this 2010 legislative session:
• Defeat SQ 744: Throwing more money at Oklahoma schools is not the solution for the education challenges; an additional $850 million from taxpayers to increase per pupil spending is outrageous when money they’ve got is not being spent wisely.
• Support OK Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Act, SB1922; Scholarships provide equal education opportunities for children across the state, allowing them to attend higher quality schools which allows for students to unlock their learning potential.
• Support Innovation, Efficiency and Accountability Act, HB2310; this bill consolidates state government agency financial services. In the past the Governor's budget has estimated that we could save in the area of 60 million dollars by taking advantaged of these shared services.
• 10th Amendment issues: AFP Oklahoma is getting behind several 10th Amendment bills that would exempt Oklahoma from federal government mandates on many issues including cap & trade and health care.
• Property Tax Cap reduction: Lower the rate of future property tax increases by lowering the cap from 5% to 3% (or lower). People to deserve a break in their property taxes, especially since property values have fallen.
• End Taxpayer-funded Lobbying: Want to save the state revenue? Stop having lobbyists, who are funded with taxpayer dollars, from lobbying against taxpayers and asking for more taxpayer dollars. This is an insane practice that must end!
• Support Workers Compensation Revising System, HB2639 and other bills; An overhaul of Oklahoma’s workers’ compensation system is essential to economic development in the state. The main goal is to change the system so that the injured workers get the treatment they need to return to work, while also providing employers a reasonable cost so our workers’ compensation system is no longer a job killer in Oklahoma. This Bill increases benefits for the injured, drive down costs to employers.