The Latest in Oklahoma: April 19, 2024 Update
A&A Advocates
Tuesday morning, after weeks of uncertainty about how they would respond to the Senate’s new transparency approach, House leaders launched an online budget dashboard for public comparison of each chamber’s official negotiating position, as well as state agency requests.
House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, and House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, presented highlights of the House Republican Caucus’ negotiating position, which includes a 0.25 percent personal income tax rate reduction, a proposed $71 million increase for transportation, a proposed $10 million one-year commitment for compensation boosts at county sheriff offices and a proposed new headquarters for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
According to the online portal, the House and Senate are about $1.1 billion apart in their negotiations. The House’s proposed income tax cut, which would be triggered by at least $400 million of revenue growth, carries a $96 million price tag for Fiscal Year 2025 and a $230 million annualized cost for subsequent fiscal years.
Each budget proposal allocates more than $3.8 billion for the state Department of Education. The House proposed a mostly flat budget for education, while the Senate plan includes a $100 million boost to fund stipends for school support personnel, plus $2.65 million to pay student teachers. Senators have also proposed $120 million in grant funding for local water projects.
What We’re Watching
The Oklahoma Supreme Court set an April 16 start date for the State Question 832campaign to begin circulating their petition. Organizers will have until July 14 to submit at least 92,263 signatures to the Secretary of State’s office.
Texas-style immigration bill, HB 4156, passed through the House by a vote of 77-20. It may now be scheduled for a vote on the Senate floor.
“The new methane emissions rule is yet another attack on our oil and gas industry by the Biden Administration. I am honored to work with my colleagues from across the country to stop the economic turmoil of these rules before it’s too late.” – Attorney General Gentner Drummond on leading national coalition opposing new EPA methane rule.
