Oklahoman Concerned With Majority’s Successes
Despite its dominance, GOP not producing major gains in 2013 Legislature
The Oklahoman Editorial
Sunday, April 14, 2013
WHAT happens when someone has little reason to fear being fired and others have little reason to think they can move up the ladder? We may be seeing the result in the Oklahoma Legislature.
Republicans enjoy supermajority control of both chambers of the Legislature and hold the governor’s office, yet progress on major issues remains as difficult — if not more so — than when Republicans and Democrats locked horns during years of divided government.
Gridlock occurred in last year’s tax debate and could derail this year’s effort to address the state’s No. 1 economic challenge — our out-of-control workers’ compensation system.
Ironically, that legislative inertia may be the result of the GOP’s one-party dominance. Today Republicans don’t fear losing control and Democrats don’t honestly think they can regain it. In a competitive system, both parties strive to generate policy results that boost their electoral appeal. But in a system where wins are automatic based on party affiliation, two things occur: complacency, and the dominant party becomes dominated by people simply seeking power instead of pursuing policy goals.