It is a fact that Oklahomans pay federal taxes and those taxes are used to provide aid in some instances during catastrophes. The tornadoes we experienced yesterday cost 7 lives and millions of dollars of damage so, yes, in this case it is probably very justified to see requests for federal assistance.
But it is, to me, a matter of principle. The state of Oklahoma has funded some pretty interesting things over the last year - including over $50k just to allow the legislature to have an online video presence. Whether it be a good thing or a bad thing is yet to be determined, but most of us when faced with revenue shortfalls, don't go out and spend money on a flat screen plasma television set, do we? How about the funding of endowed chairs for our institutions of higher learning? Is that really a necessary role of government at this stage of the game when we're talking about laying off highway patrol officers to meet the budget shortfalls? I think not.
The Oklahoman (read the story here) makes my case for me (emphasis mine):
Today's executive order is the first step toward seeking federal assistance.
The state Emergency Management Department officials also are making preliminary damage assessments to determine the damage caused by Monday's storms.
