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Oklahoma Senate Committee Kills Bill to Lower Revenue Threshold

oksenate.gov
Sen. Kim David (R-Porter)

A bill lowering the threshold for lawmakers to raise revenue failed in a Senate committee on Wednesday.

House Joint Resolution 1050 would have allowed voters to lower the legislative threshold from three-fourths to two-thirds.

The bill’s author, Senator Kim David says lawmakers’ hands have been tied since State Question 640 was passed in 1992.

“I understand it needs to be difficult to raise revenue, but a 75% vote is next to impossible. This at least lowered it to 66%. And there are times that we need to be able to raise revenue to meet the basic needs of the state.”

Sen. David says she has heard opponents complain it usurps the vote of the people, but that’s not true.

“This sends it to a vote of the people. This is something the people should probably have another chance to look at. Knowing what we all know now, and the difficulties we’ve had, it needs to be addressed again.”

She says she was surprised when the final tally was a five to five tie, resulting in the measure not moving forward. She says two supporters came in after the bill was heard, so she hopes to have it reconsidered in the Rules Committee.

The bill barely passed the House earlier this month by a vote of 51 to 41.

Michael Cross is the host of KOSU's Morning Edition.
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