Orza, Henry square off in debate

Wednesday, September 4th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Vince Orza and Brad Henry, opponents in the Sept. 17 Democratic runoff primary for governor, differed Tuesday on what type of person is needed to guide Oklahoma the next four years.

Orza, owner of a chain of restaurants, said a businessman is needed to move Oklahoma forward.

Henry, a state senator from Shawnee, said the state must have a governor ``who understands the business of government.''

The two candidates squared off in a debate at the Norman Public Library, sponsored by the Cleveland County Democratic Party.

Orza said he would work to make Oklahoma a corporate capital, selling out-of-state executives on the state's central location, its low-cost energy, excellent vo-tech system and other attributes.

``There is nothing wrong with Oklahoma that free enterprise, hard work and education can't turn around,'' he said.

Henry said tough economic times demand a governor who has experience in government. He said he had been a legislative leader in fighting for tort reform, HMO reform, workers compensation system reform and a college savings program.

``I've been up there fighting the battles. I understand the process,'' he said.

Henry also said he was the only candidate to be specific in proposing a financial solution to education financing _ a state lottery that could produce $300 million a year.

He was critical of Orza for advocating a consumption tax over a state income tax, saying that would harm low-income taxpayers.

Orza said his goal was to produce more taxpayers by bringing jobs to the state.

While saying he favored changes in the tax system, Orza said no one running for governor could propose tax cuts at this time and keep a straight face. He did say he wanted to provide tax incentives to help teachers.

Orza said he is proposing the same things he did when he ran for governor as a Republican in 1990. As a former teacher, he said ``my whole priority is education.''

He said Henry, as a veteran legislator, must share the blame for education funding dropping as a percentage of the state budget.

Henry also said he would increase the percentage of education funding. He said he had ``paid my dues fighting for Democratic values'' in the Legislature and understood that a governor must be able to work with lawmakers.

Orza said he was a moderate. ``Whether Democrat or Republican, I'm a centrist and that's where the state of Oklahoma needs to be governed from,'' he said.

Both candidates saved their sharpest criticism for outgoing Republican Gov. Frank Keating and Steve Largent, this year's GOP nominee.

They said Keating failed the state by playing too much politics, especially with his veto power.

They said Largent was a fine football player but had little to offer as governor.

Henry said Largent had ``zero accomplishments'' as a member of Congress.

Orza said the Republican nominee had never been a friend of education and had no ``real'' business experience.