Fallin Sets Date for Second Special Session

Governor Fallin Thursday set the date for lawmakers to return in special session to address the shortfall in the current fiscal year budget.

The governor set the beginning date of the second extraordinary session of the 56th Legislature to convene Monday, Dec. 18.

Fallin did not file an executive order, or an official call, for the special session. She will do that at a later date.

“Discussions are continuing with legislators and Oklahomans in all types of professions from across the state on a long-term, predictable solution to fix our budget and fund core services,” said Fallin. “Budget plan estimates are being developed on various revenue proposals. Instead of waiting for final details, I wanted to give legislators enough notice as possible about when they should return to the Capitol.

“This will also give us time to get the latest revenue estimates for the upcoming 2019 fiscal year. A preliminary estimate of available funds for legislative appropriation will be available that week for the Dec. 20 meeting of the Board of Equalization. I am hopeful the estimate will show revenue growth for the 2019 fiscal year. But even if it does, there will be a need for additional revenue to address the combination of one-time funds currently in the budget, the current fiscal year shortfall from the loss of cigarette fee revenue, spending obligations for 2019, and money to give our teachers and state employees a much-needed pay raise. These items taken together will approach close to $800 million.

“As I travel across the state I see signs of positive economic activity, and I believe the future looks bright for the state,” the governor said. “However, I expect any additional growth in revenue coming to the state treasury will not be enough to put us on the stable foundation we want to see and give teachers a raise. In recent years, we have patched over our problems by using one-time money that, in effect, borrows from Peter to pay Paul. We know we still have a budget hole for this fiscal year of about $111 million from the loss of cigarette fee revenue that will result in cuts that the Health Care Authority will need to make starting January 1 and the Department of Human Services by February 1 if we don’t identify more funding.

“Before the session begins, I intend to make specific recommendations on how we can balance the budget and meet our immediate needs. I’ll be working with legislative leaders and others with the goal of having at least the outline of an agreement ready for legislators later this month.”

The governor last month vetoed most of the revised budget bill approved by legislators in the special session. She kept intact parts of the bill that temporarily preserved funding for key health and human services until lawmakers return in another special session to approve long-term funding solutions.

She vetoed all but five of the 170 sections contained in the budget measure, saying it did not provide a long-term solution to the re-occurring budget deficits experienced by the state the past three years. The current 2018 fiscal year budget includes $509 million of one-time funds and future obligations of at least $180 million not included in the 2018 fiscal year budget, which combined results in a starting deficit of almost $700 million for the 2019 fiscal year.

House Speaker Charles McCall reacted to the announcement by noting it wouldn’t have been necessary if Fallin hadn’t used her veto pen.

“We are in this situation because the governor vetoed a compromise bill that would have funded our healthcare programs through the fiscal year without cutting those vital services. Her veto has put those healthcare programs that Oklahomans rely on in a very precarious position and created uncertainty for healthcare providers and citizens. Had she signed the bill, as she promised the House and Senate she would do, these additional revenue issues could have been addressed during the upcoming regular session.

“Once again, the governor has called us back into special session without a plan in place, which means more taxpayer dollars will be wasted. This additional special session could have been avoided if the governor had kept her word,” said McCall.


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  1. sky, 08 December, 2017

    Please legislature-stand firm. Fallin (and other tax raisers) must be rebuked!!

  2. Jimbo, 11 December, 2017

    After doubling the tax on new cars while attempting to except trucking industry Your too late.

  3. Tom, 08 December, 2017

    Why is it that the Governor always mentions the fear of cuts in healthcare benefits? Why not take into account the whole bureaucracy, and make plans to cut non-essential agencies, across the board? The only person who seems to understand the real problem is Gary Richardson! He wants to audit the whole enchilada. No one in office in OKC seems interested in audits, whatsoever!

    They have been fully indoctrinated in the concept of Tax and Spend!
    The solution is not in raising taxes and fees….and the feel good promise of raising teacher salaries, could be easy if they would consolidate school districts. That’s an idea whose time has come!

  4. Jimbo, 08 December, 2017

    Dont forget to add the extra money wastied on Special Sessions to the budget shortfall…………you and your Repub.s are wastinig money we dont have.

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