What if Oklahoma hired a budget deal mediator?

After months of intractable debate over state finances, many Oklahomans, lawmakers and advocacy groups are growing weary and pessimistic about the chance that a deal can be reached before agencies must make staggering cuts to health care programs.

Negotiations between top legislators and the governor's office have so far failed to produce a budget deal that avoids midyear spending cuts. Almost four months into the budget year, Republicans and Democrats are basically in the same position they were a year ago — arguing over whether to raise the tax rate on oil and gas production.

In the room where it happens, Fallin said she and her staff have taken the role of mediator. It was one thrust upon them, an ad hoc job of walking ideas between House Speaker Charles McCall and Democratic leader Scott Inman.

But what if the state hired a professional mediator, someone trained in the art of finding compromise?

Read more: http://newsok.com/does-the-capitol-need-a-mediator/article/5568938