Okla. Gov., a Democrat, Walks Party Lines

Saturday, July 22nd 2006, 6:23 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Democratic Gov. Brad Henry, a favorite for re-election to a second term, has found a way to maintain high popularity in one of the most conservative states: He stakes out Republican-like positions, builds consensus and keeps a low profile.

He also presided over the largest tax cut in Oklahoma history.

Some in his own party may grumble, but Henry's approach has struck a chord with voters in a state that hasn't supported a Democrat for president since Lyndon Johnson. Henry, who faces a primary election Tuesday, is among a number of Democratic governors who are touting their credentials as fiscal conservatives as they seek re-election.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a potential Democratic presidential contender, has cut the capital gains tax in half and reduced his state's income tax to 4.9 percent from 8.2 percent. In Wisconsin, Gov. Jim Doyle ran four years ago on a no-tax-increase pledge and has stuck to that. And in Pennsylvania, Gov. Edward G. Rendell signed a $1 billion property tax cut in June, that state's largest ever.

In Henry's case, he cut taxes $150 million in 2005 and teamed with a Republican House speaker to produce a record $627 million reduction this year, cutting the income tax rate from 6.25 percent to 5.25 percent and eliminating the estate tax.

The Democrats' co-opting of tax-cutting, traditionally a Republican issue, ``seems to be more widespread than just a fluke in Oklahoma,'' said Charles Franklin, polling expert and political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

``I've done what I said I would do,'' said Henry, 43. ``I've worked well with everyone, regardless of party, and we've accomplished a lot in four years.''

Henry's election was a political shocker in the first place. A little-known state senator, he won as an underdog in his primary, then upset NFL Hall of Famer Steve Largent by a razor-thin margin. Largent had left Congress after 3 1/2 terms to run for governor.

Now Henry appears strongly positioned for re-election, thanks to a petroleum boom that has boosted the state's economy and produced a $1 billion surplus this year, permitting the tax cuts and record funding for education and roads.

He also has championed issues popular with the public, including creation of a state lottery and expansion of gambling at American Indian casinos, and he won voter approval of a tobacco tax increase.

Pleasing conservatives this year, Henry signed a bill giving greater legal protection to people who use deadly force when threatened or attacked, approved a measure requiring parental notification for abortions and signed a bill authorizing the death penalty for repeat child molesters.

GOP candidates have complained that the lottery and tobacco tax have not generated as much revenue as projected.

``There are always going to be critics, but remember, the people of Oklahoma voted for these measures,'' Henry told The Associated Press. ``And if you criticize me, you're criticizing the vast majority of the voters of the state of Oklahoma.''

Some of those critics come from his own party. They remember when tax cuts were made during an oil boom in Oklahoma in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The boom went bust and the state ended up in debt, forcing huge, across-the-board cuts.

With a politically split Legislature _ Republicans control the House and Democrats are in danger of losing the Senate this fall _ Henry has positioned himself as arbitrator, said Bob Darcy, political professor at Oklahoma State University.

``He is the guy who is going to craft the compromise, move us out of this crisis or that crisis,'' Darcy said.

He has only a nominal opponent in the primary. Seven-term Congressman Ernest Istook is among four candidates running for the GOP nomination.

For his part, Henry says he has kept faith with the voters and worked for positive change.

Henry said his policies have Oklahoma ``on the move'' economically, ``even if they upset, from time to time, members of my party.''