After distractions, it's time to batter up

The second session of the 58th Legislature got off to a quick start this year. Two people were arrested after trying to disrupt the governor’s fourth annual State of the State address. Oklahoma City firefighters were dispatched to remove protest banners hung from the oil derrick on the south side of the Capitol. And groups advocating various issues created a noisy throng in the rotundas and office hallways as lawmakers made the trek to the House floor to participate in the joint legislative session that start’s each year’s activities.

Among the red meat served up in the governor’s speech was the promise to keep protecting the individual liberties of Oklahomans. The Legislature started this process last year with the passage of House Bill 1236. The Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees that powers not granted to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved for the states. This bill simply solidifies our stance on fighting back against federal mandates we find to be particularly egregious through the litigation process.

The governor also promised his support in getting a better handle on the state’s growing medical marijuana industry. State voters legalized medical cannabis in 2018, but they left the regulation of the industry to the Legislature and state enforcement agencies. The governor in his speech said that Oklahoma has 8,300 growers compared to neighboring Arkansas’ eight. We also have seven times the number of growers as California with only 10% of that state’s population. Issues sparked by this industry range from the rise in illegal distribution and sales of the product, to land being purchased at above market prices by those with ties to foreign interests, to local water and utility issues, pesticide drift and others. We passed several pieces of legislation last year that will help, and I will be hearing a reform bill on this issue this Monday in the committee I chair. 

Tax reform was another issue mentioned in the governor’s speech. He’s in favor of eliminating the state’s portion of the sales tax on groceries. He also would like to see us work toward full elimination of the personal income tax. We already have several measures pending this year that deal with the grocery tax. This could give some relief to our families at a time when inflation is rising. It’s important to note this would not do away with local taxes on groceries. Our counties and municipalities rely on sales tax to provide a variety of services to local residents. We also chipped away at the personal income tax last year and may do more this year while state revenues are high. Of course, when it comes to tax cuts, we must also cut spending accordingly or we will be upside-down quickly.

The governor also proposed paying our state’s highest-performing teachers up to $100,000. That would be fantastic, but I’m not sure how we’d go about determining the performance metrics to decide which teachers would qualify for this salary. I’ll be interested to see more specifics.

These are just a few of the highlights from the governor’s speech, and a glimpse of what he will be pushing us to do.  The first week of session comes at us fast. Committee work started this week and will continue through March 3. Until then, we’ll likely hear only a trickle of bills on the House floor. Then the flood gates will open. I expect it to be a wild ride. 

Please feel free to contact me at marcus.mcentire@okhouse.gov or (405) 557-7327.