Odds stack against Senate approval of gambling expansion
A plan to expand gambling during a special session appears to be dead on arrival in the Oklahoma Senate.
Lawmakers are poised to return in special session on Sept. 25 after a successful court challenge to a $1.50 tax on cigarettes created a $215 million budget hole for fiscal year 2018.
A similar gambling expansion plan last session met significant opposition in the Senate.
On Tuesday, House Appropriations and Budget Committee Chairman Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, outlined his plan for reducing the budget hole and creating recurring revenue.
His plan includes a modification to tribal gaming to allow ball and dice games in exchange for vehicle registration rebates paid to the tribes.
On May 12, a Senate budget panel defeated an expansion measure, Senate Bill 857 by a vote if 16 to 22. The measure would have allowed versions of craps and roulette to be played with real dice and marbles.
Senate Pro Tem Mike Schulz, R-Altus, said he was morally opposed to it, adding that his position has not changed since last session.
Schulz said that in a special session, lawmakers need to remain focused on proposals that have been vetted.
“The one thing that continues to float to the surface is the cigarette tax,” Schulz said Wednesday after a two-hour caucus meeting in the Capitol. “We need to stay focused on those type issues.”
After failing to pass the cigarette hike as a tax, requiring a supermajority in both chambers, lawmakers passed it as a fee, requiring only a simple majority.
But state law requires taxes to be passed by a supermajority or go to a vote of the people.
Tobacco companies successfully challenged the measure.
“I don’t believe we have the votes to do it,” said Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, regarding the cigarette tax.
“I would like to think that they have the votes in the House and would work diligently to get the votes in the House,” Schulz said, adding that he is confident it would pass the Senate.
Lawmakers have also discussed using cash, Rainy Day funds and cutting agencies to make up the budget hole.
“The Senate (Republican) Caucus is determined not to take any cuts from your basic agencies,” said Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee. “They want to make sure we provide for services the people of Oklahoma expect. We are going to have to get the House on board and to come up with revenue enhancements. And we definitely have to come up with something before the special session.”