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Tonight Senator Nathan Dahm Issued a statement at the Tulsa Republican Assembly. He announced a petition of the legislative members, calling a special session for later this summer. He was joined by Rep. Sean Roberts who is joining the effort as the House sponsor.
The two said they already have reached out to some colleagues and are getting strong support. This kind of move bypasses the Governor and denies her the opportunity to set the agenda of such a session. Senator Dahm plans a formal press briefing Wednesday morning, where he'll detail the scope of the session. He told SoonerPolitics; "We know that the likelihood of a special session is high already, given the issues of a veto referendum of the massive tax package just passed. The teachers do not want their pay raise held up by a constitutional stay of the enacted tax increase." There is fear that schools will be unable to properly budget for the upcoming school year and teachers don't believe the state should have made that raise contingent on the tax increase because the tax revenue collections are set for a massive surplus of more that double the total price of the raises. The legislature can detach the raise from the tax very easily, allowing schools to get on with the new school year. |
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The possible passage of SQ788 (medical Cannabis) is another potential trigger for a special session. when Senator Yen refused to take up Rep. JP Jordan's HB3468 (Regulatory system for medical cannabis), it set up a potential of lawful medical use, but without all the systems in place for orderly oversight and licensing.
The federal Supreme Court ruling on sports betting has created an opportunity for Oklahoma gaming outlets, but the legislature would need to act on such proposals. Without an Oklahoma option, gaming participants will turn ot online or other venues outside the state. |
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But Dahm says he has even broader purposes for the special session. He wants the legislature to have authorization to review any vetoed legislation over the past 8 years and allow the legislature to override any vetoes by our current governor.
