OKGOP removes House Pro Tem from State Committee for supporting Democrat

Some reporting over the weekend from SoonerPolitics.org:

Representative Harold Wright (R-Weatherford) was expelled by the Oklahoma Republican Party's ruling State Committee, today. The action took place at the State Committee meeting, in Edmond, OK.

OKGOP's national committeeman, Steve Curry, presented a letter of the OKGOP Executive Committee, advising action for Wright's actions, funding the campaign of a Democrat nominee(Jeff Berrong) for a state senate seat. Wright, who took money from the OKGOP for his own election, funneled at least $1000 to the Democrat effort, according to campaign reporting documents with the state Ethics Commission. Meanwhile, the OKGOP was funding the campaign of the Republican nominee(Brent Howard).

Republican legislators are granted inclusion in the ruling body of the OKGOP, by being in elective office. Wright has been a State Committee member for several years.

Canadian County Chairman, Andrew Lopez made the motion on Harold Wright's immediate removal. Former National Committeeman, Steve Fair seconded the motion. The final vote was nearly unanimous with one lone voice voting 'nay'.

Last year, Rep. Wright (Conservative Performance Index score of -10.7) filed legislation that would gut SQ640's taxpayer protection against easy tax increases. Read more comments from the SoonerPolitics story at this link.

Wright was removed from the OKGOP State Committee under State Party Rule 19(g), which lists "Publicly supporting or endorsing an opponent of candidates of the Republican Party." as grounds for removal from official party committees. I've since been told that Wright sent fundraising letters on the Democrat candidate's behalf and allowed his name and photo to be used in supportive mailers.

Of note, Representative Carol Bush ("R"-Tulsa, CPI score of -24.3) has not yet been removed for her role in assisting the campaign of Democrat Kendra Horn, who unseated 5th District Republican Congressman Steve Russell in the 2018 election. Horn, whose first vote was to elect Nancy Pelosi as U.S. House Speaker, touted Bush's endorsement throughout the campaign.

Rep. Carol Bush (R) speaking at the campaign kickoff rally for Kendra Horn (D)

While Wright's donation to a Democratic candidate ultimately had no lasting consequence due to the Republican candidate's victory, Bush's very early support for a Democratic candidate who ultimately knocked off an incumbent GOP congressman had greater and more lasting effect.

Hot Seat: AFP's Tidwell and Rep. Wright on repealing SQ640

John Tidwell, Oklahoma Director for Americans For Prosperity, recently went on News9's Hot Seat with Scott Mitchell to discuss moves in the Legislature to repeal SQ640 and lower the threshold for raising taxes, and why and what AFP-OK will do to oppose those efforts:

(if the Tidwell interview does not play, you can view it here)

Last week, State Rep. Harold Wright, the author of the measure to reduce taxpayer protections, also appeared on Hot Seat to discuss the topic:

(if the Wright interview does not play, you can view it here)

Yes, let's move state taxation to the school bond process

Yesterday, State Rep. Harold Wright (R-Weatherford), the number two Republican in the State House, announced that he was filing a bill to call a state question that would amend the Constitution to lower the legislative revenue-raising threshold from 75% to 60%.

His argument is that this would be in line with the 60% requirement in school bond issues: "This is why I am proposing legislation that would put to a vote a change in the revenue-raising requirement in the constitution that would lower the requirement to 60 percent, the same as a school bond issue. Many agree that this would be a fair compromise and still make it difficult to raise revenue."

I would fully support changing legislative tax raising abilities in line with the school bond process. Let's compare how taxes can currently be raised in Oklahoma:

Taxation at the state level:

• The legislature can raise taxes only with 3/4ths vote in favor
• The legislature can send taxes hikes to a vote of the people, where it passes with majority vote (50%+1)
• Taxes can be raised with majority vote (50%+1) via initiative petition

County sales taxes:

• Cannot be raised by the county commissioners
• Must go to a vote of the people
• Can pass with a majority vote (50%+1)

For school bond elections:

• School districts cannot raise tax rates
• Bond increases or renewals go to a vote of the people
• School bonds require a 60% vote in favor

I appreciate Rep. Wright's suggestion that we change how the legislature can tax to the process school bonds go through. 

If we did that, the Legislature would be unable to raise any taxes, would be required to bring tax increases to a vote of the people, and such ballot measures would necessitate 60% affirmative vote for passage.

Count me on board with that.

House Leadership files bill to lower tax-hike threshold

And so it begins.

Wright Seeks to Lower Revenue-Raising Threshold Created by SQ640

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Speaker Pro Tempore Harold Wright, R-Weatherford, has authored legislation to direct the Oklahoma Secretary of State to refer to the people an amendment to Section 33 of Article V of the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma.

House Joint Resolution 1032 looks to amend the state’s constitutional requirement for the number of votes needed in the Legislature to pass revenue raising legislation. Currently, due to the passage of State Question 640, which was passed in March of 1992, revenue-raising legislation requires a three-fourths vote of both the Oklahoma House of Representatives and Senate.

Wright’s legislation would change the requirement to pass revenue-raising measures to three-fifths of the Legislature.

“This has been the most difficult legislative year since I was elected,” Wright said. “Partly because of two special extraordinary sessions but also because it has been impossible to pass necessary revenue measures to provide for adequate core services in Oklahoma: roads and bridges, public safety, education, public health and corrections.

“This is why I am proposing legislation that would put to a vote a change in the revenue-raising requirement in the constitution that would lower the requirement to 60 percent, the same as a school bond issue. Many agree that this would be a fair compromise and still make it difficult to raise revenue. There will be opposition to this measure, but I hope you will support the change in order to make your state government more effective.”

Wright represents House District 57, which is comprised of Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian and Custer Counties.