Down the Home Stretch

Down the Home Stretch

Last week was deadline week at the capitol which means that there was plenty to do. And do we did. After many late nights, a lot got accomplished.

House Speaker Chris Benge and Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee announced this week that they plan to file a lawsuit against the federally-mandated health care recently passed in Washington. House Joint Resolution 1054 has been signed out of conference and now includes a statutory change that would allow Oklahomans to opt-out of mandated health insurance. The resolution also authorizes the Senate President and Speaker of the House to file a lawsuit against the United States Congress, the President of the United States and the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to prevent the provisions of the federal health care law from taking effect. Last week, Attorney General Drew Edmondson refused to join with 19 other states who have filed suit against the bill. He said he would only file a lawsuit if forced by the Legislature to do so. Legislative leaders noted that it makes no sense to force the attorney general to now file a lawsuit after he has made it clear he opposes it, meaning his efforts would be half-hearted at best if he was forced to pursue a lawsuit. State lawmakers are concerned that the high taxes required as a result of the federal law will be a burden on an economy already in recession and the unfunded mandates for state government will force cuts to the budgets for schools, roads, and other important programs. Benge and Coffee said every effort will be taken to keep costs down, including the possibility of using House and Senate legal staff and resources or pro bono opportunities. The resolution is currently pending before the House.

Legislation allowing state employees to take a voluntary buy-out package passed the House this week. House Bill 2363 creates a buy-out package that would include a cash payment of 5,000 dollars, 18 months of health care premiums and the employee’s next longevity payment. Agencies would also be allowed some meaningful managerial flexibility in developing compensation strategies to address budget needs. Under the legislation, if an agency has an employee take the buy-out, they must leave that position open for at least 36 months. The bill passed with a vote of 93-1 and will move to the Senate for final consideration.

Oklahoma school districts may soon be able to use buses to make some extra money during the state’s budget crisis. Senate Bill 421 would give school districts the right to sell advertising space on the exterior of transportation equipment. Another provision in the bill requires school districts to give top preference to advertisers that promote Oklahoma manufacturers and to businesses that are members of the Made in Oklahoma Program or retailers who promote Made In Oklahoma members. Revenue raised through advertising would go into school districts’ general funds. The proposed law would not allow bus advertisements that promote hostility, violence, any political candidate, bond issue, gambling, tobacco, firearms or religious or political organization. Currently, about half a dozen states are already allowing school districts to use bus advertising — including Colorado, Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, Tennessee and Texas. Senate Bill 421 passed the full House of Representatives on an 81-18 vote this week and now returns to the Senate.

Under legislation approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives this week, military personnel deployed outside the state would be exempt from a fine if they failed to renew their vehicle tag. Senate Bill 1816 would make military personnel deployed outside the state exempt from penalty during their assignment and for 60 days after that assignment ends. In addition to the numerous Oklahomans who serve in other branches of the military, around 400 members of the Oklahoma National Guard are currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Maj. Gen. Myles Deering has recently said he expects some 4,000 Oklahoma National Guard soldiers and airmen will be deployed.

Under legislation passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives, cities could make themselves more attractive to retirees through a Department of Commerce pilot program.
Senate Bill 1640 authorizes the Department of Commerce to establish an Oklahoma Certified Retirement Communities Program to market communities that apply and meet certification requirements as retirement destinations. The legislation authorizes the Department of Commerce to establish criteria to determine if a community’s application will be accepted. The legislation encourages the Department of Commerce to collaborate with the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service to develop an outreach program to assist communities seeking certification. Six other states have similar programs. The bill now returns to the state Senate.

If you would like to contact me while I am at the Capitol, please do not hesitate to call
1-800-522-8502 or send an e-mail to donarmes@okhouse.gov.

And here’s a little something to think about as you go down the road:

“My experience in government is that when things are non-controversial and beautifully coordinated, there is not much going on.” –John Fitzgerald Kennedy