Askins Not Offended By Henry Remarks

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins says she takes no offense over Governor Henry saying the lieutenant governor's office is a waste of taxpayers' dollars the way it's set

Monday, February 12th 2007, 8:05 pm

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins says she takes no offense over Governor Henry saying the lieutenant governor's office is a waste of taxpayers' dollars the way it's set up.

Henry though says he regrets using "a very poor choice of words" to promote the idea of the governor and lieutenant governor running together so they would be from the same party.

Henry made the comment Saturday to the Oklahoma Press Association and said the governor and lieutenant governor should work together as a team. He said lieutenant governors had to search for things to do but said he trusts Askins and believes the two will work together.

Askins says Henry called her Saturday afternoon to explain his remarks. Askins says she takes as a complement that Henry considers the two a team.

The Democratic governor says in a statement he wasn't trying to slight Askins or any other lieutenant governor.

Former Republican Lieutenant Governor and now Congresswoman Mary Fallin says she had plenty to do as lieutenant governor. Fallin said Henry's comment seemed a little like a slap in the face but adds that she's sure he didn't mean it that way.