Rep. Pat Ownbey gives thoughts on '09 session
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Updated: 11:12 PM Jan 8, 2009
Rep. Pat Ownbey gives thoughts on '09 session
ARDMORE, OK -- Oklahoma's 2009 Legislative Session is just one month away and already lawmakers are making plans for what they say could be a very difficult year.
Posted: 11:08 PM Jan 8, 2009
Reporter: Daniel Armbruster
Email Address: daniel.armbruster@kxii.com
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ARDMORE, OK -- Oklahoma's 2009 Legislative Session is just one month away and already lawmakers are making plans for what they say could be a very difficult year.

Wednesday night, we spoke to State Representative Samson Buck about his expectations for the session, Thursday night we spoke with Representative Pat Ownbey.

"We're gonna have a 4 1/2 percent decrease in the Oklahoma economy," said Ownbey.

Election day has come and gone. A new year has arrived and with that, new lawmakers. In Oklahoma, freshman State Representative Pat Ownbey says he has a few ideas to help the state economy.

"The economy is one issue and I think it's gotta be dealt with, and we have to be careful on the way we spend our money, that's very important."

Ownbey, a Republican, believes it can be done, and says he wants to create a more friendly environment for businesses to grow and bring more money into the state.

"If the word 'profit' is a good word in Oklahoma, we'll bring more business, more opportunity for our families," said Ownbey.

And Ownbey says he is going to make legislation that will help families out and put money back into their wallets.

"I'm introducing a bill next week on the back to school tax free weekend that will really bring in more than just clothes for that tax free time, give Oklahomans a break where we can, and I think that's going to be a very important part of what we can do up there."

But Ownbey says he realizes to make bills into laws he will need the support of friends from the other side of the aisle. Even though the House and Senate will be controlled by Republicans, there will still be a Democratic governor to veto any legislation that doesn't receive a two-thirds majority.

"I think there's a lot of optimism up at the state capital and I think what you're going to find is a lot of Democrats and Republicans working together, we know what kind of economy we have to face and I think we have to have a bi-partisan effort to make the state work right," Ownbey said.


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