Tuesday afternoon, the #okleg JCAB committees are set to hear 4 bills, one to give ODVA $10.9 million for finishing the Sallisaw #Veterans Home.
The other 3 involve at least one major economic development / business incentive deal, which may be the Enel solar panel plant. (1/?)
HB 2888 would appropriate $38.6 million "for upgrades to water and wastewater systems, located in Northeast Oklahoma along an inland waterway that supplies water and wastewater to major supply chain locations."
SB 1779 would put $180 million in a new "Perform Fund." (2/?)
Finally, SB 1777 would create the "Perform Act," which could let an entity investing at least $1 billion qualify for 5 "investment rebate payments" occurring at new-job benchmarks between 100 jobs and 1,400 jobs.
Since I'm tweeting at midnight basically to read myself think, I'll note that this afternoon when I checked I didn't see any of the 4 proposed JCAB subs posted ... but the two SB's are dated Friday?
Anyway, I'll have more tomorrow. Information. Not fun. Definitely not more fun.
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This morning, I said Monday's mediation among #okleg leads & governor seemed "fruitful," as rumors of a "deal" grew.
Ten hours later, leaders have hope, but many Q's remain.
Neither GOP Caucus loves the "compromise" #oklaed funding proposal I'm outlining in this thread 🧵 (1/7)
The #okleg GOP members were pitched a teacher pay plan like the Senate desired ($4K to $6K raises) but off-formula districts would also receive funding.
Staff stipends have been discussed? Unsure on details.
New #oklaed funding in the formula might be $360 million-ish? (2/7)
Here's the big sticking point: a revised form of the "#Oklahoma Student Fund," which aims to balance $ for urban districts & rural districts.
Previously, the Senate said "hell no" to the House's proposal to provide higher per-pupil new funds to rural districts than urban. (3/?)
We've got House #JCAB! HB 2887 will appropriate $10.6 million to finish the State Veterans Center being built in Sallisaw. (The project came in way above budget owing to a variety of ... "complications," says House A&B Vice Chairman Ryan Martinez.) webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24…
Now they advance HB 2888, which would send $38.6 million to the Water Resources Board for "upgrades to water and wastewater systems, located in Northeast Oklahoma along an inland waterway that supplies water and wastewater to major supply chain locations.” webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24…
Now SB 1177 proposes creating some upfront rebate financing for the "Project Sirius" effort ... which is reportedly for an Enel #solar panel plant near the Port of Inola.
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)
One year ago today, I had to derail an important date because a grand jury indicted an #okleg member.
The stress of racing to the courthouse, getting the filing, ruining dinner and writing up a story could hardly portend the drama that would unfold. (1/8) nondoc.com/2021/12/17/rep…
Over 5 months, I wrote 5 more articles on the charges against Rep. Terry O’Donnell & his wife related to his bill that allowed her to become a tag agent.
In this one, Gov. Stitt & Sen. Thompson confirmed the House said HB 2098 was a 2019 "priority." (2/8) nondoc.com/2022/01/07/ter…
Tugging on the O’Donnell thread revealed other bad behavior.
On Jan. 27, I outlined the O’Donnell investigation's origin and compared his GJ indictment w/ the MCGJ indictment that was ultimately dismissed against David Ostrowe.
The #OKcounty Courthouse is in lockdown after a reported noise that could have been potential gunshots on the 3rd floor.
My understanding is no one has been located but that courtrooms have been locked down for folks' safety. I'll try to update this thread if I learn more. (1/?)
The Oklahoman is reporting that someone was seen carrying a gun in the parking garage just across the street to the north of the courthouse. oklahoman.com/story/news/cri…
An attorney who is in one of the locked-down courtrooms has told me that the judge told the room that the threat stemmed from a man with binoculars, camouflage and a rifle.
Leaders of the #FiveTribes have gathered to announce their endorsement of @joy4ok for governor. Former Stitt secretary of Native American affairs is emceeing. Cherokee Chief @ChuckHoskin_Jr is up first.
It's no secret that Gov. Kevin Stitt has clashed with and angered tribes ...
Hoskin speaks of the importance of #oklaed and the #Cherokee Nation's history of educational priorities. He calls Hofmeister "a dedicated education professional" who understands "the very Cherokee idea of working together." (2/?)
Flashing back in time, briefly, I mentioned when former #okleg Republican representative Lisa Billy resigned from the Stitt cabinet in December 2019, less than a year after taking the post and watching him clash with tribal leaders over gaming compacts. nondoc.com/2019/12/23/lis…