The state's longest running index of the legislature's voting habits has registered the largest drop in perhaps it's history.
The average legislator in the state House& Senate is now scoring just under 48% in the Oklahoma Constitution's Conservative Index. That means the chamber with a 71:30 ratio of Republicans to Democrats, sides more with the Liberal voting behavior. In Short, Oklahoma has a Liberal House Of Representatives, according to the latest report (published today at Oklahoma Constitution).
The Senate has a 39:9 Republican ratio and still sides with Liberalism by the same numbers as the State House.
The previous accumulative score of the heavily Republican House & Senate was in the 60+% conservative range. But this past session saw a disaster of political compromise and failure to hold to the conservative principles of the Republican Party Platform(any score under 50 is in liberal territory). This year's average legislator score would have been even more liberal if the Democrats had voted for taxes they normally favor. Instead, they refused to go along with Republican tax hikes until and unless the Republicans pass a massive new medicaid expansion and fully embrace Obamacare.
This year's session of the House & Senate resulted in massive new state tax liabilities to the Oklahoma citizens. Some of it was through new taxes and fees, but there were also sizable cuts in hat taxpayers may write off or hold exempt from taxable obligations.
The average legislator in the state House& Senate is now scoring just under 48% in the Oklahoma Constitution's Conservative Index. That means the chamber with a 71:30 ratio of Republicans to Democrats, sides more with the Liberal voting behavior. In Short, Oklahoma has a Liberal House Of Representatives, according to the latest report (published today at Oklahoma Constitution).
The Senate has a 39:9 Republican ratio and still sides with Liberalism by the same numbers as the State House.
The previous accumulative score of the heavily Republican House & Senate was in the 60+% conservative range. But this past session saw a disaster of political compromise and failure to hold to the conservative principles of the Republican Party Platform(any score under 50 is in liberal territory). This year's average legislator score would have been even more liberal if the Democrats had voted for taxes they normally favor. Instead, they refused to go along with Republican tax hikes until and unless the Republicans pass a massive new medicaid expansion and fully embrace Obamacare.
This year's session of the House & Senate resulted in massive new state tax liabilities to the Oklahoma citizens. Some of it was through new taxes and fees, but there were also sizable cuts in hat taxpayers may write off or hold exempt from taxable obligations.
Capitol watchers are dismayed by the things this session has seen. Mad dashes for tax hikes midnight sessions to take money designated specifically for the working poor. Governor Fallin on the House floor, openly begging Democrats to help her raise taxes. Democrats REFUSING!
Is this the year when Conservatives collapse? Is this the year when voters throw out the phonies? Which way is Oklahoma going?
Read the full report of the Conservative Index at the Oklahoma Constitution.
Is this the year when Conservatives collapse? Is this the year when voters throw out the phonies? Which way is Oklahoma going?
Read the full report of the Conservative Index at the Oklahoma Constitution.
