A Successful Session?
May 28th, 2010
DURANT,
The jury will be out for some time on whether this session is a success. The greatest challenge we faced was, of course, the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. We began the session with a $1.2 billion shortfall from the previous year.
The easiest answer would have been “cut the budget.” It is easy until you see that the numbers that appear in budget bills have real meaning in the lives of Oklahoma families. And, when times are toughest, Oklahomans need the services provided by the state even more than when times are good.
Raising taxes is virtually impossible in Oklahoma. After the “oil bust,” the easy answer then was “raise taxes.” That is not a good answer either. One has to look not only at the revenue tax increases generate, but the economic activity a tax increase would suppress.
It is anybody’s guess if the new budget really balances. Many components of the budget agreement – including the “revenue enhancers” passed to help bridge the gap – did not pass with sufficient votes to allow them take effect by the July 1 start of the fiscal year.
That could cause a revenue failure and even deeper automatic cuts. Hopefully that does not happen. Several of us proposed a solution to the problem – a solution that was rejected by some Republican legislative leaders If this budget does collapse, like some of us believe is possible, it would almost certainly lead to a special session.
There will be much more about the 2010 session of the Legislature in the upcoming editions “The Senate Minute.” The session was not boring.
As I end this week’s column, I want to express sincere thanks from Deena, Jacob and me for the many kindnesses shown to us over the past few days. As my followers on Twitter and friends on Facebook know, Jacob broke his leg last week.
We spent a few days at OU Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. I am glad to report that Jacob is doing well. He is in a cast that immobilizes the leg, but it also immobilizes him. He has six weeks in the cast, but he is being a trooper. Everyone has been so good to us; it shows what a blessed area in which we live.
I wanted you all to know how grateful we are to everyone who has called, emailed and who have been so helpful; we deeply appreciate your concern and caring. My family is blessed by the people I am honored to serve in the Senate, and we will be forever grateful for the kindnesses extended to us by the people who know us best – the families of Senate District 6.
Thanks for reading this week’s “Senate Minute.” Have a great week, and may God bless you all.