The governor called the Legislature back into special session Oct. 3 asking us to pass the following pieces of legislation:
- A trigger law mandating that if a state or federal court finds that some individuals, due to their race, heritage, or political classification, don’t have to pay a state tax, then no Oklahoman will have to pay the tax.
- A tax cut that puts Oklahoma on the path to zero income taxes, which would keep us in line with surrounding Republican-led states.
- A measure that increases budget transparency to ensure Oklahomans and their elected representatives have the opportunity to see how taxpayer dollars are being spent.
I support tax cuts and transparency and believe that if one group doesn’t have to pay taxes then nobody should. The House was ready to take up several measures that would have cut taxes beginning this year. The Senate, however, adjourned without considering any legislation. The House could still pass measures, but without the Senate, nothing can be sent to the governor to be signed into law. Taxpayers will have to wait longer to see any kind of relief.
On another topic, I met with the medical examiner’s office Friday morning to discuss waiving the $150 fee for transporting the body of a deceased veteran across state lines so they can be buried in a national cemetery. This was brought to my attention by a funeral director in Poteau who was working with the family of a veteran who was to be buried in a national cemetery in Fort Smith, AR. The medical examiner said the board was more than happy to waive this fee for veterans. I’m happy for these families who already have lost so much because of the willing sacrifice of their loved ones.
I’ve also been talking with David Jackson, executive director of the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association, about the association’s directive for schools to stop taking cash payments for entry into tournament games. I was told there would be communication with schools to continue to allow cash payments and that no one would be turned away if they couldn’t pay with a credit card or a cash app on their phone.
I tested this out myself in Shawnee this week and got into the game after paying cash. A constituent in Panama, however, said he was told he could not pay cash. He had to speak to the school principal and give his name before he gained entrance to the games.
I’m going to continue to fight for the right to pay cash to get into these games. This move hurts people, like grandparents, who don’t have a cashless way to pay. We don’t live in a cashless society. Plus, credit cards charge a fee, so, will admission prices go up because of this move?
As always, if I can help you with anything, feel free to call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at rick.west@okhouse.gov.
Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.
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