The Latest in Oklahoma: May 28, 2024
A&A Advocates
Oklahoma’s Republican legislative leaders agreed to a budget framework on Wednesday that will result in approximately $12.5 billion in spending in fiscal year 2025, which starts July 1. Gov. Kevin Stitt entered the meeting with a mission to resolve the budget disagreements by agreeing not to veto the budget if lawmakers added $20 million to the Quick Action Closing Fund, as well as a smaller salary increase for district court judges and money to stay in a litigation fund for the effects of the U.S. Supreme Court’s McGirt decision on tribal jurisdiction. House and Senate budget negotiators agreed to those requests from the governor, and after a few more hours deliberating on a few final points of negotiation, the state had a budget agreement. View the full budget here.
Stitt also elaborated on his vision for an Oklahoma business court during the final Budget Summit 2024 meeting Wednesday morning — seeking the creation of a task force to get the system rolled out by 2026. The court would be inspired by current systems in Delaware and Texas: a business-to-business exchange with highly-trained business attorneys and judges in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
The U.S. Department of Justice sued Oklahoma last Tuesday, seeking to block a law that seeks to impose criminal penalties on those living in the state illegally. Similar laws passed in Texas and Iowa are already facing challenges from the Justice Department. Additionally, dvocacy group Padres Unidos de Tulsa filed a second federal lawsuit against Oklahoma’s immigration bill on Thursday.
Senate Bill 1505, which provides $50 million for emission-reduction projects in Oklahoma’s oil and natural gas industry, has been sent to the governor’s desk for final approval. The bill expands the Oklahoma Emission Reduction Technology Incentive Act, allowing for $10 million per year to implement qualified emission reduction projects. Although the tax provision for emission controls was approved by the legislature and signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt, the program was never funded.
What We’re Watching
Oklahoma Health Care Authority CEO Ellen Buettner, Office Of Juvenile Affairs Executive Director Jeffrey Cartmell, and Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Commissioner Allie Friesen were each confirmed in the Senate Health and Human Services committee meeting last Thursday. The next step includes a confirmation vote by the full Senate.
