The first session of the 58th Oklahoma Legislature is down to its last week next week. This legislative week was busy on the floor and in conference committee meetings as lawmakers finalized budget bills composing the $8.8 billion FY 22 budget agreement announced last week by Governor Kevin Stitt, Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat (SD 47) and House Speaker Charles McCall (HD 22), and finished up work on several Senate and House bills that found their way to conference committees. Due primarily to a nearly $1 billion budget surplus, no agencies, including ODOT, will incur budget cuts, and the state will be able to deposit $800 million into state savings accounts while providing a reduction to the personal and corporate income taxes. The legislature must Sine Die by 5pm May 28, however they will return this fall for a special session to complete work on Oklahoma’s five congressional districts, and any adjustments needed upon the final 2020 U.S. Census. Due to delays caused by COVID-19, the Census Bureau was not able to provide complete information during the legislative session, however the legislature is required to pass Senate and House redistricting bills before Sine Die. That process was complete but was based on Census figures to date. Congressional redistricting is not bound by a deadline so lawmakers will address congressional lines this fall, while providing possible adjustments to state legislative lines once final figures are available. The new state and congressional boundaries will begin during the 2022 election cycle and remain in place until the next Census occurs in 2030.

Transportation funding fared well this session with almost a $17 million increase in appropriations and a $200 million dollar investment in speeding up the ODOT eight-year plan through the federal TIFIA program. When the pandemic started, funds were set aside from the ROADS fund to be used for other core functions of government as needed. The FY 22 budget restores that money, making the ROADS fund whole. The Country Improvement for Roads and Bridges (CIRB) fund is likewise made whole with a $20 million increased appropriation. Rep. Kevin Wallace (HD 32), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said it’s important to note that ODOT agreed to allow the legislature to add an authorization section in HB 2900, the General Appropriations bill, for the ROADS fund of $575 million. “I’m grateful to transportation for setting the bar in helping us correct this,” Wallace said. “I’d like to see other agencies and funds follow suit. I would encourage all apportionments to instead be authorized sections in the General Appropriations bill to increase general transparency in the budget.”

The state Senate has advanced dozens of executive nominations to cabinet posts, state boards and commissions this session, with many of those coming this week. Over the past couple of years, the Senate has taken a more deliberate approach to advancing nominations with individual meetings with senators followed by introductions in committee meetings, including allowing nominees to address the committee. The vast majority of the nominations are put forward by the governor, although the Senate President Pro Tempore and Speaker of the House also nominate individuals to certain boards and commissions.

TRUST extends condolences to the family of former Democrat Senate President Pro Tempore Bob Cullison who passed away earlier this week at age 84. Cullison was first elected to the Oklahoma House in 1972, and to the Senate in 1978 where he represented District 34 in the Skiatook area. Cullison served as Pro Tempore from 1988 through 1994 when he ran unsuccessfully for Lt. Governor. Following his legislative service, Cullison served on the Oklahoma Tax Commission and as a private lobbyist.

The Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus has announced new leadership. Rep. Jason Lowe (HD 97) was named caucus chair. Lowe is in his third term as a state representative and has been a member of the Black Caucus since 2016. He currently serves on the House Energy and Natural Resources, Judiciary, Public Safety, Federal Redistricting, and Utilities committees. He is also secretary of the Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus. Rep. Monroe Nichols (HD 72) was named vice chair and treasurer of the caucus. He is in his third term as a state representative and has been a member of the Black Caucus since 2016.

Three Oklahoma members of the U.S. House are among nearly 100 asking US Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai to do more to bring about lower costs for lumber in the US. First District Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern led the bipartisan letter after his discussion with Ambassador Tai at last week’s House Ways and Means hearing on US trade policy. A total of 98 representatives called on Tai to represent American interests on the “critical issue by pursuing a balanced agreement with Canada.” The House members expressed concerns over sharp increases in the cost of lumber, noting that “prices have skyrocketed more than 300% since last spring” and that construction remained an essential activity during the coronavirus crisis. The representatives explained that the index of house prices in December 2020 had risen 10.2% over the year and 1.5% in October. Along with Hern, ninety-six members of Congress signed the letter including Fourth District Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole and Fifth District Oklahoma Rep. Stephanie Bice.