Tensions are high at the capitol as the legislature adjourns Friday but has not yet passed a budget.
As budget negotiations stop and start on a near-daily basis, House Minority Leader Scott Inman decided to make Majority Leader Jon Echols an offer Wednesday morning on the House floor.
"You put a 4 percent gross production tax and a cigarette tax on the board, and I'll give you every vote of my caucus that you need if your caucus believes in it and does the right thing. You've got 73 members. I'll give you three; matter of fact, I'll give you six," Inman said. "I'll give you six of my members and you put that on the board, and if it passes, then it's into law. But if it's not, then you give us a 5 percent vote, and I'll put all 26 of mine on the board and all you've got to do is give me 50."
Two $6.9 billion budget measures passed committees late Tuesday night. One funds a $1,000 teacher pay raise, while one does not.
Several lawmakers have sounded the alarm on revenue measures being considered this week that also came out of those committees. Oklahoma voters made considering revenue bills in the last five days of session illegal with the passage of State Question 640 25 years ago.
House Republican leaders say several bills taken up this week don’t cross the line because they don’t increase taxes outright or create new ones. Rep. Emily Virgin said court challenges are inevitable if the bills become law.
"We, as a body, know that. This and other measures to balance the budget are building a great, big house of cards, and pretty soon, it's gonna fall," Virgin said Wednesday during debate against House Bill 2433, the bill subjecting car sales to state sales tax.
Rep. Jason Dunnington said lawmakers are making Oklahomans furious and losing their trust.
"We have an opportunity this week to find our courage, to do government in the way that it should be done and to earn back the trust of Oklahoma citizens for all of us — not just for Republicans, not just for Democrats," Dunnington said.
The legislature adjourns Friday. A special session to work on the budget has not been called, and Senate President Pro Tem Mike Schulz has said one will not be needed.
