GOP Leadership has to hold the caucus together!

Weekly Opinion Editorial

WE ARE OUT OF ROAD 

TO KICK THE CAN DOWN!

by Steve Fair

   

    Last week, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled the $1.50 per pack cigarette tax the state legislature passed this session is unconstitutional.  That was after the state’s lawyer in verbal argument before the court maintained the real objective of the increase on smokes was to keep people from smoking- and he said it with a straight face.  Never mind the legislature estimated the increase would generate over $250 million dollars in revenue.  If the legislature is serious about stopping smoking, why not make it illegal to smoke? 

     After getting the news of the court’s ruling, Governor Mary Fallin said, “I am disappointed to hear the Supreme Court struck down the smoking cessation fee, but I certainly respect the justices’ authority. I will be discussing with legislative leaders from both parties the need to address the $215 million shortfall this will create for the Department of Human Services, the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, the three agencies that received the bulk of the money that was to be generated by the cessation fee. These agencies and the people they serve cannot sustain the kind of cuts that will occur if we do not find a solution. My belief is we will have to come into special session to address this issue.” 

     The Senate Pro Tem Mike Schulz, R-Altus, said, “While I disagree, I appreciate the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s quick ruling allowing the governor and the Legislature to immediately address the matter. There are several options available to us, and Senate leadership will continue to work with the governor’s office and the House on deciding the best move forward.”

     Speaker of the House Charles McCall, R-Atoka, said, "The tobacco fee for health care was passed in an effort to avoid significant budget cuts. After House Democrats refused time and again to support increased revenue measures, the fee was our only opportunity to balance the budget without deeper cuts. The minority party decided to play games with the budget, and now that opportunity has passed."

     If the legislature couldn’t get a budget agreement in the entire regular session, what are the odds they will get one in special session?  A special session costs taxpayers about $30,000 per day.  Based on what happened during the regular session, this could be a long special session.  The failure of legislative leadership to hold the GOP caucus together to reach the 75% margin to raise taxes doesn’t seem to have changed.  As McCall said, the Democrats have not cooperated, but GOP leadership can’t blame the Ds when they have super majorities in both chambers.

     What is likely to happen will be another ‘kick the can down the road,’ budget where all state agencies take across the board cuts.  So expect more of the same until we run out of road.