Capitol Insider

Will the Oklahoma Legislature get behind a cigarette tax in the upcoming special session?

The Oklahoma Supreme Court upheld a 1.25 percent sales tax on motor vehicles Thursday.

A report published online Thursday claims to outline details of a budget agreement between Gov. Mary Fallin and House Democrats.

Gov. Mary Fallin and leaders in the state legislature do not appear to be on the same page with regards to a special legislative session.

Earlier this month, the Oklahoma Supreme Court struck down a $1.50 per pack “smoking cessation fee” on cigarettes. Without the $215 million dollars generated by the fee, the state will not take in enough revenue for the current fiscal year.

The Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma has ruled that a fee on cigarettes approved during the 2017 legislative session is unconstitutional.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in three lawsuits challenging revenue raising measures passed last legislative session. The nine-member court will decide on the constitutionality of the $1.50 cigarette fee and the 1.25 percent sales tax increase on vehicles, among others on Tuesday.

Oklahoma’s state budget took effect July 1, and hinges on the success of several lawsuits before the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The cases question the constitutionality of revenue raising measures including the $1.50 cigarette fee and 1.25 percent sales tax increase on vehicles. If the Supreme Court rules the measures are unconstitutional, the legislature could reconvene to again try to fund core services.  

KGOU’s Dick Pryor and eCapitol news director Shawn Ashley spoke with Preston Doerflinger, the Secretary of Finance, Administration and Information Technology.

Oklahoma’s state budget took effect July 1, and hinges on the outcome of several lawsuits before the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The cases question the constitutionality of revenue raising measures including the $1.50 cigarette fee and 1.25 percent sales tax increase on motor vehicles. If the state Supreme Court rules the measures are unconstitutional, the legislature could reconvene to again try to fund core services.  

Capitol Insider: Money Heads Back To State Agencies, Osborn Out As Budget Chair

Despite finishing the fiscal year nearly 3.5 percent below general revenue estimates, Oklahoma will pay back state agencies that received mid-year cuts.

Democrats picked up two seats in the Oklahoma legislature on Tuesday, winning a pair of special elections. They will fill the terms of former Republican Sen. Ralph Shortey and Rep. Dan Kirby.

Following the 2017 Oklahoma Legislative Session, several lawsuits have emerged challenging the constitutionality of revenue raising measures. Laws in question include the $1.50 cigarette fee, 1.25 percent sales tax increase on vehicles, among others.

An attorney who successfully argued against the constitutionality of a 2010 health care fee says the current lawsuits have similarities to the case he won seven years ago.

Following the 2017 Oklahoma Legislative Session, several lawsuits have emerged challenging the constitutionality of revenue raising measures. Laws in question include the $1.50 cigarette fee, 1.25 percent sales tax increase on vehicles, among others.

An attorney who successfully argued against the constitutionality of a 2010 health care fee says the current lawsuits have similarities to the case he won seven years ago.

The Oklahoma Automobile Dealers Association is suing Oklahoma over the state’s new motor vehicle sales tax.

Ahead of the 2017-2018 school year, the state school board has approved more emergency teacher certifications.

Emergency certifications

The board approved 224 emergency positions at its June meeting, compared to 77 requested at the same meeting one year ago. Over the course of the 2016-2017 school year more than 1,000 emergency certificates were approved.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court hears arguments August 8 in the case over the state’s new $1.50-per-pack cigarette fee.

Catch up with what happened this week in Oklahoma state politics.

It’s been one week since state lawmakers finished the regular legislative session and passed a state budget. Here’s what’s happened this week in politics...

Oklahoma state lawmakers have yet to agree on a plan to raise money for the state, and could be facing special session. 

Lawmakers are nearing the deadline to propose revenue-raising measures to fill Oklahoma’s $878 million budget hole. All budget and appropriations bills must be introduced before May 19.

In this bonus Capitol Insider interview, KGOU's Dick Pryor and eCapitol news director Shawn Ashley sit down with Oklahoma state schools superintendent Joy Hofmeister to talk about education issues, including the state's revised A through F school grading system, teacher pay and four day school weeks.