Political Wrangling Jeopardizes State Budget Fix

State lawmakers met in special session Monday to dramatically expand the governor’s power to combat coronavirus (COVID-19) and fill a $416 million budget hole. But just when they were making progress politics got in the way. 

The state legislature overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan measure expanding the governor’s power, allowing him to make decisions on combating COVID-19 without jumping through all the regular hoops.

“You know invoking the health care security act, that isn’t something anybody wanted to do. I don’t think Governor Stitt ran for office wanting to do that and I as a legislator certainly didn’t want to cast that vote. But it made sense given the situation,” said Representative Jon Echols (R) Majority Floor Leader.

The act gives Governor Stitt never seen before powers to overturn rules, regulations and statutes for 30-days.

“I think the idea behind this 30- day timeframe is we are giving the executive an extraordinary power. That needs to be given in short bursts. That needs to be given for a short timeframe.” Echols said.

The legislature also passed a measure to use the state’s saving to fill a $416 million budget hole caused by coronavirus (COVID-19) and a reduction in demand for oil. But at the last minute, the governor canceled a meeting to certify the numbers. 

A spokesman said the governor is upset the legislature did not include funding for digital transformation while backfilling the budget. Modernizing the state’s computer systems is one of the governor’s top priorities.

The following statement from Governor Stitt’s spokesman Charlie Hannema was released Monday:

“At a time when so many Oklahoma families are hurting, the governor believes we need to be fiscally responsible. Singling out digital transformation for a funding cut is unacceptable at a time when the unemployment call center is receiving more than 200,000 calls per day and thousands of state employees are teleworking in order to continue providing vital services to Oklahomans.”

“We don’t need to see cuts to our agencies at this point in time. It would be devastating to not only the health of our government but the morale of Oklahomans,” said Representative Terry O’Donnell (R) Majority Whip.

The governor’s office said he will work with the legislature in the coming days on a solution, and no cuts will be made in that time. 

Representative Echols said the governor can still sign off on the plan to dip into savings to fill the budget gap.