Small: Medicaid-expansion critics proven right

Medicaid-expansion critics proven right

By Jonathan Small

Prior to the 2020 statewide vote on Medicaid expansion, we at the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs warned that projected costs were unrealistic, lowball estimates and spending would quickly surge, forcing lawmakers to divert millions from other uses, such as education or public safety.

Officials with the Foundation for Government Accountability and Americans for Prosperity also made that argument with reams of data.

Expansion supporters dismissed those critiques. In June 2020, Medicaid expansion was authorized by statewide vote, albeit by the narrowest of margins.

But now there’s no denying critics knew what we were talking about.

Wow: Pro Tem Treat replaces Senate Appropriations chair in final month of session

Well, this was very unexpected. Treat canned Senate budget chairman Roger Thompson in the final month of the legislative session, approaching the height of budget negotiations...

Pro Tem Treat Announces Senate Appropriations Chairman Change

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, today announced a change to his appropriations chairman.

Pro Tem Treat has selected Senator Chuck Hall, R-Perry, to replace Senator Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, as his appropriations chairman.

Senator Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, will now serve as appropriations vice chair.

Senate leaders comment after budget transparency measure passes Senate floor

Senate Leaders Comment After Budget Transparency Measure Passes Senate Floor

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 18th) – Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City and Senate Appropriations Chairman, Senator Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, today released the following statements after the Senate budget resolution passed 41 – 3 off the Senate floor.

Senate Resolution 31 is the result of the Senate’s budget transparency project that has been in the works for months. The new process brought the Senate budgeting process to light and showed a behind the scenes look at how members make decisions on where taxpayer money goes.

State Sen. Roger Thompson gives update on Senate’s new budget transparency efforts

Sen. Roger Thompson offers update on Senate’s budget transparency efforts

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 29th) – Senate Appropriations Chairman Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, said the Oklahoma Legislature’s upper chamber is on its way toward making this year’s budget process more transparent than ever.

The public got its first glimpse at proposed state agency appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year in a Wednesday meeting of the Appropriations Committee. 

Gov. Stitt considering new special session on tax cuts

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt mulling new special session on tax cuts

by Carmen Forman, Oklahoma Voice

December 22, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt said Friday he is considering calling lawmakers into another special session on tax cuts early next year.

Stitt said he’d like to see lawmakers approve a 0.25% personal income tax cut before the regular, four-month legislative session begins Feb. 5.

“I’d love to get a tax cut done before we go back into session so it’s not all jumbled up with all the other policy things,” Stitt told reporters.

He said he planned to talk to House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, and Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, about the idea.

The governor made the comments after the state Board of Equalization, which he leads, certified budget projections for the upcoming fiscal year.

According to the projections, lawmakers could spend up to $13.9 billion next year, or about $1 billion more than the $12.9 billion budget they approved this year.

The figures presented Friday serve as a starting point for Stitt to build a budget proposal he will present to lawmakers Feb. 5. Lawmakers will begin crafting the spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year once the Board of Equalization meets again in February to certify updated budget projections.

Touting projections showing the state could have about $458 million more in recurring revenue to spend next year, Stitt said he’s feeling “great” about the possibility of a tax cut.

A 0.25% personal income tax cut would cost about $250 million annually once fully implemented, he said.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, said he expects lawmakers will only have about $300 million or less in new recurring revenue to spend next year.

It’s too soon to talk about cutting taxes, he added. Lawmakers need to dig into the budget figures presented Friday to get a better idea of how much extra cash the state will have, Thompson said.

“We need to solidify what the numbers are before we talk about going into a special session,” he said.

Stitt also urged lawmakers to pass a 0.25% personal income tax cut in an October special session.

Although the House was prepared to act on the governor’s request, the Senate abruptly adjourned the special session after Stitt refused to appear before a legislative panel to answer questions about his proposed tax cuts.

Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter.

State Rep. Fetgatter to pursue better protection for sexual assault victims after Henryetta tragedy

Fetgatter to Initiate Protection Law after Henryetta Tragedy

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 3rd) – Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, in 2019 secured passage of a law to protect sexual assault victims from their predators. He's now pursuing legislation to better protect potential victims.

House Bill 1881 was named Kaylee's Law after a constituent in Fetgatter's House District 16. It directs the courts to issue orders of no contact from people convicted of sexual abuse or exploitation crimes to their victims. It was named for a young woman who received a birthday card, pictures and newspaper clippings talking about how beautiful she'd grown up to be from the man accused of sexually assaulting her while he was serving time in prison.

After this week's news of the horrific finding of seven bodies in Henryetta believed to be those of a convicted rapist, his wife and stepchildren and two unrelated teenage girls, Fetgatter said it is time he pursues a stronger law. This one must not only protect victims but potential victims as well, he said.

"I've moved from the initial grief and overwhelming sorrow I felt on learning the news of this terrible crime," Fetgatter said. "Now I'm angry. I'm furious this man was ever let out of prison with his conviction of rape and new charges of sexually soliciting a minor while he was still in state custody."

Senate Pro Tem Treat announces GOP leadership team

This was sent out last week, along with Treat's assignment of GOP committee chairs and vice chairs. It is worth noting that State Sen. Rob Standridge, the conservative who challenged Treat in-caucus for the President Pro Tempore office and fell just short (allegedly by a vote of 21-19), was left out of leadership, left out of any committee chair/vice-chair position despite greater legislative seniority than most of the caucus, and assigned to the fewest committees among GOP senators.

Vindictive, much?

Senate Pro Tem Treat Announces GOP Leadership Team

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 2nd) – Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat today announced his Republican leadership team for the upcoming 59th Oklahoma Legislature that begins in February.

“I have chosen these individuals to help lead our caucus and work with the committees to ensure we are passing legislation that is in the best interest of Oklahomans,” Pro Tem Treat said. “I am honored they have accepted the opportunity to help lead the senate in these respective roles. Together, we will ensure the state is being fiscally responsible, agencies are operating efficiently and taxpayer dollars are not being wasted.”

State Senate GOP leaders leery of Stitt's call for tax cuts

Senate Leaders Respond to Gov. Stitt’s Continued Call for Tax Cuts

OKLAHOMA CITY (September 27, 2022) – Leadership in the state Senate Republican Caucus today released the following statements after Gov. Kevin Stitt continued his call for tax cuts.

“Philosophically, I am for lower taxes,” said Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat. “Last year, I championed tax cuts and the members in the Senate were able to send responsible tax cuts and inflation relief to the governor’s desk. I’m proud to be part of the leadership in the state of Oklahoma, who has contributed to our current record savings, made critical investments into essential services, while living within our means. As we enter a recession, we must remember just a few short years ago we were scrambling with a $1.3 billion shortfall. We must be mindful and do tax cuts the right way. That is why I have appointed a tax policy working group. The members of this group are making serious strides to a long-term, sustainable plan to responsibly cut and reform taxes in our state.”  

Joint committee advances dozens of ARPA proposals to Legislature

Joint committee advances dozens of ARPA proposals to Legislature

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 20th) – The Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding on Tuesday advanced a comprehensive slate of projects to the full Legislature for consideration in an upcoming special session.

The committee's approvals, combined with previously approved projects, resulted in recommendation of over 60 projects totaling nearly all of Oklahoma state government's $1.87 billion share of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

Treat appoints tax reform working group in state senate to study options in special session

There's some passive-aggressive bickering going on between the House and Senate over this "inflation relief" special session:

PPT Treat announces membership of tax reform working group

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 15th) – Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat has announced his appointments for a tax reform working group to study proposals in relation to the ongoing special session.

Joint committee sends six stimulus funding projects to full Legislature

Joint committee sends six ARPA projects to full Legislature

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding on Tuesday advanced the first slate of projects for consideration in the Legislature's upcoming special session on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

Legislature to call special session for purpose of directing federal stimulus spending

Legislature to call concurrent session for ARPA funding

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 18th) – The Oklahoma Legislature will call a concurrent legislative session to allow public input to continue to drive how $1.8 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are spent.

The concurrent session, to begin Wednesday, allows the Legislature to immediately return in the interim to enact an ARPA spending plan as agreed to by the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding.

State budget agreement announced; includes inflation relief rebate up to $150 per family

State budget agreement reached

Republicans prioritize savings, inflation relief, police, economy & more

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 17th) – Historic state savings deposits and more money returned to taxpayers highlight the Fiscal Year 2023 state budget agreement, which also funds law enforcement at record levels, eliminates the years-long developmentally disabled services waiting list, fights federal overreach, and makes generational investments in economic development.

Legislative leaders on Tuesday announced plans to send the agreement, which continues to fund education at the highest levels in state history, to Gov. Kevin Stitt this week for approval.

Senate Appropriations chair breaks down state budget picture

Budget Break Down

By Sen. Roger Thompson, Senate Appropriations Chair

We are currently looking at the best budget numbers in the entire history of our state.  Last month, the Board of Equalization certified that the Legislature would have more than $10.4 billion available to appropriate for Fiscal Year 2023, which begins this July 1.  A lot of people are very excited about that figure, including me.   But when we start drilling down into those numbers, what we’ve learned from past budget years and how we prepare for those to come, it’s clear we need to take a thoughtful, conservative approach.

The first thing to keep in mind is that we must base our budget on recurring revenue.  Of that $10.4 billion, we have about $1.3 billion made up of one-time carryover funds and special cash from previous sessions.  Those are dollars we could use for one-time investments and to bolster savings, but we must not build that money into the budget for ongoing expenses.  When that happens, you just create a hole down the line when those funds are not available. That’s why it’s so important to take a look back before planning for the future.  My first year in the Legislature, the state was facing a $600 million hole. The next year it was $800 million, then my third year, it was more than $1 billion. I don’t ever want us to be in that situation again.

State Senate passes bill to move court funding from fines and fees to annual appropriation

Senate approves bill to move court funding from fees to annual appropriation

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson has won full Senate approval for a bill aimed at moving district court funding from fees to appropriated funding through the Legislature.  Senate Bill 1458 would eliminate a slate of fines and fees currently charged upon conviction.

Thompson, R-Okemah, said the objective of the bill is to take the weight of funding the court system off of the people who are being fined and instead provide resources through the appropriations process.

“I definitely believe someone who is convicted of breaking the law should be held accountable, but the current system of funding courts through fees can actually prevent individuals from turning their lives around,” Thompson said.  “When they can’t pay, then the courts don’t get funded, warrants are issued, and people are arrested to get them to pay something they couldn’t afford in the first place.  We need to help citizens obey the laws of the land without being overly burdensome.”

Senators comment after $10.5 Billion certified for state budget

Senate Appropriations Chair comments on Feb. 22 revenue certification

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, issued the following statement after the Oklahoma State Board of Equalization (BOE) met on Tuesday to certify revenues available for appropriation for the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. The amount initially certified by the board in December was $10.3 billion.  The amount certified Tuesday was $10.49 billion. 

“The revenue figures show Oklahoma’s economy is still strong, but I emphatically believe it is in the best interest of the state that we continue to take a fiscally conservative approach.  It’s important to remember that of the $10.49 billion certified, nearly $1.3 billion is made up of one-time carryover funds and special cash from previous sessions. 

“Oklahoma has continued to benefit from federal dollars related to the pandemic, which helped these numbers. Knowing that will change, and that energy prices will not always remain as high as they are now, we must be cautious in our approach to the budget.  We need to continue to boost our emergency savings and make careful decisions now while the economy is strong, so that we are prepared for what may come the next few years.”   

Democratic members of Senate Finance Committee comment on State Board of Equalization meeting

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Democratic members of the Senate Finance Committee released the following statements in response to today’s State Board of Equalization meeting:

Gov. Stitt comments on $9.1B estimate for next state budget

GOVERNOR STITT ISSUES STATEMENT ON OKLAHOMA STATE BOARD OF EQUILIZATION CERTIFICATION

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 27, 2021) — Governor Kevin Stitt issued the following statement today after the Oklahoma State Board of Equalization certified an estimate indicating lawmakers will have $9.1 billion in certified and authorized funds for the 2023 fiscal budget year, which begins July 1, 2022.

“This past fiscal year, Oklahoma’s economy has bounced back in a big way and continues to improve,” said Gov. Stitt “State revenues are climbing while we are cutting taxes for every Oklahoman. I am committed to investing in our future by adding to what is already the largest state savings account in history, and ensure we remain fiscally responsible with Oklahomans' tax dollars."

During the meeting, Gov. Stitt brought attention to $1.1 billion in one time carryover and special cash held over from the FY-2021 budget.

Largest State budget in history includes tax cuts, more money for education and Hollywood

STATE BUDGET AGREEMENT REACHED 

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 13, 2021)— A state budget agreement reached Thursday maintains all state core service funding, provides tax relief to individuals and businesses, and makes targeted new investments in key priorities like education, economic development, health care and infrastructure. The agreement also replenishes more than $700 million in state reserve funds that were significantly reduced to offset pandemic-related revenue reductions last year.

Under the agreement, the appropriated Fiscal Year 2022 budget would be $8.3 billion.

The high-level agreement, which is still being finalized between the Legislature and Gov. Kevin Stitt:

Legislature raided pension assets for election-year state workers' retirement boost

Lawmakers vote to raid pension assets for benefit increase

by Ray Carter, Director, Center for Independent Journalism

 
May 15, 2020 -- Lawmakers voted Friday to approve an unfunded increase in state workers’ retirement benefits, a step that accelerates the ongoing financial deterioration of Oklahoma’s state pension systems and reduces current workers’ future retirement security.

House Bill 3350 provides a 4 percent “cost of living adjustment” (COLA) to most retired state government workers, but provides no funding to cover the cost, instead draining the pension systems’ corpus for the cash.

Opponents noted the legislation repeats the mistakes of the past, when lawmakers routinely raided pension assets to provide COLAs as a vote-buying exercise during election years, and ultimately left the Oklahoma government with one of the worst-funded pension systems in the nation.

“Today, your legislation gives an unfunded, 700 million dollar benefit to state retirees—who I agree deserve it—but it’s not paid for,” said Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle.

Sen. Marty Quinn, R-Claremore, said he was “not going to crawl under a rock and ignore the financial mistakes that continue to be made by this body and other bodies so that people can ‘like’ me.”

“Why are we taking the same financial destructive path of previous administrations?” Quinn asked. “You know what I’m talking about. A system that was one of the fifth-worst systems in the entire United States, almost $16 billion underfunded, giving away COLAs in election years. We’re doing the same thing. Just a different group of people.”

“I’m not going to vote to raid the funds,” said Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville.

Sen. Thompson withdraws campaign "personal slush fund" bill after heat from the press

Last night, I wrote a post entitled OUTRAGE: Senate Approps Chair amends bill to allow campaign funds for use as personal slush fund. In short, legislation was amended by State Senator Roger Thompson, chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee and one of the handful of individuals in the state responsible for crafting state budgets, that would remove "personal use" restrictions from political campaign and committee funds, allowing them to be used for any purpose from paying a mortgage, to going on vacation, to plastic surgeries. In short, a tax-free personal slush fund.

Thanks to a vigilant press corps at the Oklahoma State Capitol, that bill was exposed to the public, and Sen. Thompson has now pulled the bill.

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission went public on Twitter around 10:40am yesterday, expressing grave concerns with the legislation. Clifton Adcock with The Frontier followed that up by publishing an article around 5pm, 'As legislative session winds down, Senator proposes amendment to allow politicians to spend campaign funds on vacations, mortgages, gifts and other personal expenses'.

Before The Frontier published their article, neither Thompson nor the other authors of HB 3996 responded to messages asking for comment.

Thompson's amendment had largely escaped attention for almost 72 hours, but by the time I published my post around 7:40pm, Thompson was already making moves to withdraw his atrocious amendment.