Thread by @ThriceSavage

Quick thread 🧵 on #okleg budget negotiations @ the #Oklahoma Capitol.

I don't have a story yet to share with it, so I'll start with the @nondocmedia donation page in case you feel like supporting.

Anyway, today has been FULL or private meetings... (1/5)
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Gov. Stitt, Speaker McCall & Senate PPT Treat have been meeting @ the gov mansion on #oklaed.

They brought in a mediator to help manage the convo.

I won't say who, but it's widely a respected attorney. I'd have a hard time identifying a better person for the job, frankly. (2/5)

While those legs of the proverbial Capitol stool are meeting across the street, House & Senate A/B chairman Wallace & Thompson met this afternoon at the Capitol.

"The budget is going good, but education is pretty slow," Wallace told me as he headed into the meeting. (3/5)

Wallace, noted the constitutional requirement for a balanced budget by May 26: "I'm working on the entire budget, and I hear there are negotiations on the #oklaed, and I'm not in that meeting."

Me: "Is that frustrating?"

Wallace: "No. I'm an optimist. We'll get it done." (4/5)

A reminder where #oklaed negotiations stand: The House passed (but has held onto) the private school tax credit bill as leverage to get additional $ for rural schools.

The Senate teacher pay plan has legs, but House wants off-formula districts funded too.
nondoc.com/2023/05/02/hou…

Oh I nearly forgot a big part! The #okleg has called a JCAB meeting to consider 4 bills related to budget stuff. No subs have been filed yet. I'll add to this thread when they are.