Joe Dorman Says Mary Fallin Must Stop Proclaiming "Mission Accomplished" on Oklahoma's Economy

Rep. Joe Dorman, Democratic nominee for Governor, said Mary Fallin has little reason to celebrate the decrease in Oklahoma's unemployment rate when it is built on low-paying jobs that do not provide a living wage to Oklahomans.

"While I am glad unemployment in Oklahoma is slightly falling, it is extremely misleading of Mary Fallin to proclaim to voters "mission accomplished' on improving our economy," said Dorman. "Too many Oklahomans are still struggling paycheck to paycheck. Nearly one in six Oklahomans still live in poverty, and many of these new jobs are in fast food or similar service sectors that only provide minimum wage or close to minimum wage."

Dorman pointed to a national study released Tuesday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation showing nearly one in four Oklahoma children live in poverty. The study also reported a worsening of Oklahoma's economic well-being, education, health and family and community from 2013, dropping from 36th to 39th nationally.

Said Dorman, "How on Earth can Fallin proclaim the economy is on the "right track' when one in four children in this state are going to bed hungry every night and Oklahomans' economic well-being has declined? This shows yet again how out of touch she is with the majority of Oklahomans."

Dorman said it is critical to provide a living wage for Oklahomans.

"Rather than simply playing up low-paying jobs, we need a Governor who will focus on creating jobs that provide a living wage for Oklahomans and their families," said Dorman. "We need policies, such as increasing the minimum wage, that ensure no child ever goes to bed hungry. We can and we must do better."

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