Budgetary Deadline Week

Well - It's here.  The final week in which the House can hear revenue raising measures.  The official estimate is that we need $878 million dollars for a flat budget, but in reality we need closer to $1.1 billion. 

Last Monday, there was a potential deal on the table between the House Democrats and Republicans, but apparently, the Senate said they would not go for it.  So, it was back to the drawing board.  So far, the discussions have surrounded an increase in the cigarette tax, gasoline tax, caps on itemized deductions, increase in the gross production tax for oil, and various other caps on exemptions.  I have heard from many constituents regarding these various proposals, and I appreciate your input.

Governor Fallin has said that she will veto any budget that contains spending cuts in it.  It will be tough to get enough recurring revenue to have a flat budget, but I have faith in my colleagues at the capitol.  We must do all we can to fund core governmental services; otherwise, we jeopardize our roads and bridges, education system, and criminal justice system.

As a result, I encourage all of you to reach out to your legislators and tell them how you feel about the budget.

Deadline Week Pt. 2

Today ended the second deadline week in the House.  This means that today was the last day to hear all of the bills that were passed in the Senate.  So far, none of the bills substantially tackle the budget; although the Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget has begun meetings in order to create new budgetary measures.  Hopefully, something meaningful will come out of JCAB in order to not only fix our budgetary crisis, but also give our teachers and state employees a much needed pay raise.

I am proud of one bill in particular:  SB478.  SB478, as originally written, would have permitted out-of-state carriers to sell health insurance in the State of Oklahoma without having to comply with Oklahoma insurance mandates.  Of particular concern was the fact that this meant the autism insurance mandate that was signed into law last year would no longer be binding on out-of-state carriers selling insurance in Oklahoma.  However, after much negotiation and bipartisanship, the bill now requires out-of-state carriers to comply with Oklahoma mandates. The title is off of the bill which means that this could change.  But assuming it stays as is, SB478 will be good for the citizens of Oklahoma.

Our next constituent meeting will be in the middle of May, so watch out for that announcement on FB and nextdoor.com.

Thanks!

Deadline Week

We just wrapped up deadline week, which is the week where all of the bills that originate in the House have to be heard and voted on before going over to the Senate.  The good news is that my first bill passed out of the House! This bill would help offset daycare expenses for military families whose members are deployed.

Unfortunately, two bills also passed that would roll back the voters' decisions on state questions.  I personally believe that when the people speak, the government ought to listen! I also believe that that is what's wrong with our state legislature - too many legislators are wanting to help special interests instead of doing the right thing.

Finally, the Democrats unveiled a proposed budget that doesn't hurt middle or low income families.  So far, the Democrats are the only ones that have put forward a plan on how to fix the budget (with the exception of Gov. Fallin's atrocious plan to raise taxes on middle and low income families, but give away hundreds of millions in corporate welfare).  

I look forward to constituent coffee next week!

Legislative Update!

We just finished the first month of session.  I am proud to have had two bills make it through committee and hopefully, the Floor Leader will let them be heard on the floor within the next week.  Only time will tell.

On a disappointing note, to date, there have been no major steps forward in budget negotiations; in spite of the fact that a revenue failure has been declared in the state, and we are now facing an even larger budget deficit ($878 million).  I am optimistic that we will overcome this budget crises and get our fiscal house in order by reforming our structural deficits, but again, only time will tell.

That being said, I have been extremely humbled and excited by all of the constituents that have reached out to me on various issues ranging from teacher pay raises to ensuring that children have access to health insurance. 

Finally, we had our first coffee chat at Ray's Café this past week, and it was a huge success! I got to meet many people from the district that I had not previously met, and we engaged in good, honest discourse about how we can make Oklahoma a better home for everyone.  The next meeting will be in March, and I will let you know when that will be.

I am truly proud to represent House District 87 and will continue to fight for our district!

The 2017 Legislative Session Starts

Yesterday was the first day of the 2017 legislative session.  The first order of business was Governor Fallin's State of the State address.  While Governor Fallin proposed some good ideas - like getting rid of the grocery tax - she more than made up for those good ideas with bad ideas.  For example, Governor Fallin proposed expansion of sales taxes and increase of the gasoline tax.  The Governor's new taxes far exceed any savings anyone would recognize from repeal of the grocery tax.  The end result would be more taxes on working Oklahoman's (appx. $1.0 billion dollars).

 

Perhaps the biggest shock was Governor Fallin's proposal to get rid of the corporate income tax because it was "volatile."  I fail to understand how the corporate income tax is "volatile," but even assuming it is, that's not a reason to get rid of it; after all, we still have a gross production tax on oil and gas, which is considered "volatile."

 

There was an article in the Journal Record today titled, "Kansas GOP Leaders Accelerate Work on Income Tax Increases."  Kansas has instituted the same failed economic policies that Oklahoma has instituted.  Those failed policies have resulted in a budget deficit of $1.1 billion in Kansas - sound familiar?

 

It's time for the legislature to get real about increasing revenue in this state - and not on the backs of those that can least afford it.  I'm hoping we'll see that change this session, but that is up to you contacting your legislators and telling them that you are fed up with budget deficit after budget deficit.  I look forward to my next post, where I hope to be able to tell you that we're working towards a solution for our budget problems.  Until then, stay tuned.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone!