The Oklahoma Senate is working on a Friday.
Senate Pro Tempore Mike Schulz, in a press release, indicated the bills would be revenue measures and the body will use both the special session and regular session.
The Senate is scheduled to meet at 8:30 a.m. Friday for House Bill 1019xx, the so-call “Amazon bill.” It is expected to add about $20 million. The repeal of the hotel/motel tax in a recently passed revenue package, House Bill 1012xx is on the special session agenda. The Amazon bill is expected to offset the revenue lost by repealing the hotel/motel tax.
During its regular session, the Senate will take up the “ball and dice” bill. House Bill 3375 would allow tribal casinos to use physical ball and dice games such as roulette and craps. The move is expected to bring more revenue into state coffers.
So, our wuss legislature is willing to reject the hotel room tax bill which would be funded by the great majority of out-of-state visitors, and instead implement a new sales tax as a fiscal replacement. Wow, is this a great state, or not?