The Oklahoman - Second Stimulus Plan Draws Mixed Support from Oklahoma Lawmakers

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The Oklahoman - Second Stimulus Plan Draws Mixed Support from Oklahoma Lawmakers

Sen. Tom Coburn says the Senate should spend this week focused on the economy, not on a package of public lands bills on which he has blocked action.

But some other Oklahoma lawmakers aren't too excited about the prospect of focusing on the economy if it means a second economic stimulus package or emergency aid for U.S. automakers.
"Throwing money at our waning economy through a second stimulus package alone will not solve anything,'" said Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne.

BOREN BACKS AID
Congress is scheduled to return this week for what may be a brief lame-duck session following elections in which Democrats captured the White House and strengthened their existing majorities in the House and Senate.

Though there has been some talk of approving a second stimulus package to pump funding into public works projects and extend unemployment benefits, resistance from the Bush administration might force Democratic leaders to put off that proposal until President-elect Barack Obama takes office in January.

Democratic leaders also are pushing to use money from the $700 billion bail-out package for loans to struggling domestic car makers. Obama supports the action.

Rep. Dan Boren, D-Muskogee, said he also supports "bridge loans ... to get them back on sound footing. There are millions of jobs connected to the Big Three (automakers)."

Boren also called for a second stimulus bill.

The Senate is expected to take up a package of about 150 bills that had been blocked by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Muskogee.

Many of the bills would designate national heritage or wilderness areas and historic sites. Coburn said the package is full of questionable spending and public policy.

"The Senate should devote its full attention to our economic crisis, not a lower-priority and controversial lands bill," he said.

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