Fallin employs veto to send firm challenge

WITH her veto of most of the budget agreed upon by the Legislature in special session, Gov. Mary Fallin sent a message that she expects more from the men and women sent to the Capitol to serve. Now the ball is back in the lawmakers’ court.

Fallin’s move provides short-term funding for three major health agencies that were bracing for large budget cuts following the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s rejection of a cigarette “fee” approved by the Legislature in May. This was the most important reason for meeting in special session — ensuring those agencies, and the people who rely on them, weren’t crippled.

Also kept intact is a $30 million emergency appropriation for the state Health Department, which was necessary because of recently disclosed internal budgeting issues.

After eight weeks of back-and-forth in which lawmakers failed to pass such things as a tobacco tax or a fuel tax, they ultimately agreed on a bill that cut 49 state agencies by a total of $60 million. One-time funds, and revenue from revolving accounts and the state’s Rainy Day Fund, were to be used to fill the remainder of the $215 million budget hole.

Fallin rejected that solution, saying the budget bill approved in special session “does not provide a longterm solution to the reoccurring budget deficits” — something that has long been at the top of her list.

House Speaker Charles McCall and Senate President Pro Tem Mike Schulz said they were surprised by Fallin’s action, with Schulz saying the governor was party to the budget negotiations and didn’t indicate a veto was planned. The tenor of their news releases makes it clear they’re not thrilled with the prospect of another special session, given the lack of success with the first one.

Thus, Fallin is taking a risk. However, she may feel it’s not as risky as settling for more of what has transpired for so long at the Legislature, and that she’s trying to rouse members on both sides of the aisle to consider statesmanship instead of partisan gamesmanship.

She may be trying to get lawmakers to embrace the same mindset this state places on its major football programs. Excellence is expected there; it’s too seldom pursued and expected elsewhere.

McCall noted that Fallin could have signed the budget presented to her, one that was clearly imperfect, and then called another special session to continue dealing with issues she wanted addressed the first time. These include a plan to fund teacher pay raises and further exploration of ways to consolidate across state government.

The governor chose not to sign off, but instead took a more difficult road. The public has expressed its disappointment with the Legislature, particularly during the special session, and so she likely has the wind at her back in her demand that lawmakers return to keep working.

Returning in February, when the 2018 session begins, isn’t something Fallin wants to do because it’s an election year and she’s concerned about lawmakers opting to lay low. That would be sadly typical — boost your chances at re-election by doing nothing, as the state flounders.

“We must find solutions,” Fallin said. “Our citizens want a state government that works for them.”

It’s a bold move. We’ll soon learn whether it’s enough to stir lawmakers to act.