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Monday, June 13, 2022

OK, panic: The Oklahoma Legislature is back today. If it feels like our reprieve from politicians playing politics in the State Capitol was extraordinarily brief, give yourself $20 and a balloon, because you are painfully correct.

If blaming Gov. Kevin Stitt for bad things is your cup of tea, then you should enjoy today. Stitt set June 13 as the start date for the 58th Oklahoma Legislature's third special session when he vetoed a pair of minor tax reductions on May 26, criticizing lawmakers for not eliminating the state portion of the sales tax on groceries and requesting "real relief" for families facing the effects of inflation. (Stitt also wants the income tax rate lowered again.)

Below, you will learn more about what got us to this wretched return for a June session, as well as what lawmakers seem to be thinking. In addition, this week features two major debates and some hearings to note.

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1 minute: House GOP has tax cut proposals

Last time we saw House Speaker Charles McCall (R-Atoka), he was standing behind a podium May 27, trashing Gov. Kevin Stitt and referring to the governor's June 13 special session call as "incredibly disingenuous."

What a difference two weeks can make. On Friday, McCall announced that House Republicans "will introduce a slate of inflation relief bills in special session Monday." Lawmakers are expected to convene at 1:30 p.m.

From the press release:

"House Republicans support all plans and paths to get Oklahomans the most inflation relief possible," said House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka. "We're going to put more money in Oklahomans' pockets while helping businesses continue to provide them with good-paying jobs."

An array of bills dealing with personal income tax, grocery tax, business taxes and other inflation relief measures – with options to make the policies permanent or temporary – will be introduced in the third extraordinary session of the 58th Legislature. The bills will be introduced Monday for first reading, second read Tuesday and voted on by the full House on Wednesday.

"We expect some combination of these bills, but not all of them, to reach the finish line and become law. The House is presenting options to, once again, start and lead a thoughtful conversation on the best path forward for inflation relief," McCall said. "The majority of these options have already passed the House, and we will pass them again plus other options."

Whether the State Senate has an appetite to approve tax cuts remains to be seen. Senate Appropriations and Budget Chairman Roger Thompson (R-Okemah) has said the state needs an across-the-board conversation about reforming tax structures. But Thompson has seemed to oppose further reductions to recurring state revenue, and he appeared to maintain that position in his "Budget Breakdown" column released last week.

“We’ve got about 10 percent in savings," Thompson said. "So what family out there would say, ‘Hey, we’ve got 10 percent of our income in savings. We need to start giving it away.’ We look at our future, and our future is going to be challenging. And I think the state of Oklahoma is poised very well for our future as we move forward to make sure we are able to continue the services that Oklahoma wants.”

2 nights: DA debate Wednesday,
AG debate Thursday

In a world where politicians pay millions to put canned messaging in front of voters via TV and social media advertising, it is more important than ever for media outlets to ensure that candidates stand up in public and answer fair but firm questions about their positions, policy proposals and politics.

That's the purpose of NonDoc's 2022 political debate series, which kicked off last week with a GOP primary debate among Corporation Commission candidates. (Read a recap and find video in this article.)

This week, NonDoc and News 9 are teaming up for two more debate nights: Oklahoma County district attorney candidates on Wednesday, June 15, and Republican attorney general candidates on Thursday, June 16. Both debate nights start at 5:30 p.m.

On Wednesday at the UCO Liberal Arts Building (100 N. University Blvd. in Edmond), Republican Oklahoma County DA candidates will debate first. Then, around 6:45 p.m., the two Democratic candidates will also debate.

On Thursday at the OCCC Visual and Performing Arts Center (7777 S. May Ave. in Oklahoma City), Attorney General John O'Connor will face off with Republican challenger Gentner Drummond.

Both debates are open to the public and will be streamed on News9.com and on the Facebook pages of NonDoc, News 9 and other media partners.

NonDoc’s 2022 public debate series is supported by financial sponsors like the State Chamber of Oklahoma, AARP Oklahoma, McSpadden, Milner & Robinson, the Oklahoma Public School Resource Center, Overman Legal Group and the Oklahoma Association of REALTORS.

Make sure you have the following debate dates marked on your calendar:

3 minutes: ARPA money moving

If you're into tracking American Rescue Plan Act funding, you'll have something exciting to do today when the House and Senate go into session at 1:30 p.m.

Both the House floor agenda and the Senate floor agenda list six bills to fund projects that received committee approval last week.

Read more about the six ARPA bills.

30 minutes: House committee on Swadley's contract back in business

After the House of Representatives adjourns from session this afternoon, the House Special Investigative Committee on BBQ is set to hold its second hearing on the controversial (and now-terminated) contract between the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department and Swadley's Foggy Bottom Kitchen, an LLC started by Swadley's BBQ founder Brent Swadley.

This time, it will be Chief Operating Officer and Office of Management and Enterprise Services director Steven Harpe's turn to have his cheese melted in front of grumpy legislators, grumpier journalists and the bright lights of the big show. Harpe was out of town on his honeymoon last month when the committee first asked him to testify, a fact that frustrated some committee members.

On May 12, Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency director Mike Jackson took his seat on the hot plate and outlined the general concerns over the Swadley's contract. Jackson homed in on issues identified with subcontractor fees, which led NonDoc's Matt Patterson to discover a connection between a Swadley family member and one of the subcontractors.

Curious what comes out today? You can watch the live stream of the afternoon House Special Investigative Committee meeting. Perhaps it will start around 2 p.m.? Maybe later? Who knows!

Read about the House Special Investigative Committee's first meeting.

Donors and sponsors make NonDoc possible:

30 years? Former Wetumka mayor
to be sentenced today

Former Wetumka Mayor James Jackson was convicted June 2 on four charges:

Conspiracy to commit a felony
Violation of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act
Aggravated possession of child pornography
Crimes against nature by bestiality

Today, James Jackson and Rebecca Jackson, his now-former wife, who also served on the Wetumka City Council and who was also charged with crimes, are set to be sentenced.

The story of how the Jacksons rose to power, clashed with Wetumka residents and abused a young woman who had come to live with them is as bizarre as it is tragic.

BONUS: More #okleg election cheat sheets

Last week, we mentioned our #CheatSheets for key #okleg primary races.

This week, we're mentioning them again! Our team has added some new ones, so here is the running list:

Read more #Election2022 coverage.

Online legislative resources