Special session
The 2017 special session is just two weeks old, but not much has been acomplished. Here, we run down what happened since lawmakers first passed the cigarette fee that launched the entire chain of events.
May 26: Lawmakers adjourn the 2017 regular session after adopting a $1.50 cigarette fee by the slimmest margin and in the final week of session.
May 31: Gov. Mary Fallin signs the cigarette fee bill, over objections that it is unconstitutional.
June 8: The country’s two largest tobacco manufacturers sue to block the fee, arguing the procedure used to pass the bill didn’t meet state constitutional restrictions on raising revenue.
Aug. 9: Just days after hearing arguments, the Oklahoma Supreme Court rules the Legislature violated the state Constitution and struck down what it called an unconstitutional tax.
Aug. 28: Capitol budget chairs ask agencies how they would respond to a budget cut of more than 3 percent, hinting that the $215 million loss from the court ruling could be spread among other parts of government.
Sept. 5: Fallin tells lawmakers she will call a special session in September.
Sept. 25: Special session convenes, but Fallin asks lawmakers to do more than just address the $215 million budget gap.
Sept 27: Just three days into special session, Democratic
resistance to a stand-alone cigarette tax vote forces the House to suspend floor activity. The decision put a halt to special session.
Oct. 1: The House GOP floor leader says lawmakers are “circling” an agreement, but the optimism fades as Democrats press for a comprehensive revenue plan that includes a gross production tax increase on oil and gas.
Oct. 3: The state agency that manages SoonerCare begins the process to slash provider reimbursement rates by 9 percent to make up for the $70 million in state funds lost with the cigarette fee ruling.
Oct. 5, 10:45 a.m.: House Democratic Leader Scott Inman, a candidate for governor, announces his caucus would concede to some of the GOP’s revenue wishlist in exchange for income and gross production tax hikes. Inman said he and Fallin came to an agreement.
Oct. 5, 3:45 p.m.: Fallin rejects Inman’s description of an agreement, saying if there were an agreement, she would announce it. The governor said “if there’s only one person at the altar, there is no marriage.”
Oct. 13: The Capitol will be shut down Friday evening for a week as its electrical system is replaced.