Welcome to BS 5, where both chambers of the #okleg have resumed budget negotiations after pausing around 7 p.m. last night.

They are already running through issues they tabled yesterday, starting with the Legacy Capital Financing Fund created last year: nondoc.com/history-of-the…


On LCF (which requires agency payback over 20 years), the Senate is skeptical and doesn't want to run a ton of capital projects through it.

The House wants to put $350 million into LCF and fund even small projects of $1M or $2M from it.

Wednesday, Treat (S) proposed a "floor."

And we're back for BS 4.1, this time in #okleg Room 230. Much better sound in here, and they've got House portal on one screen and Senate spreadsheet on the other. Here's my new 🧵 for the afternoon, which is obviously derailing the other 400 things I need to do... (1/??)

https://twitter.com/thricesavage/status/1790761054051475666

The Senate has decided to highlight in all the areas where there is disagreement. I'm no Pantone expert, but in Crayon color names, I'm dubbing this Special Session Yellow. #okleg

It seems #okleg GOP leaders have found a deal on the #oklaed package. House Caucus heard details earlier and is allegedly supportive. Senate Caucus is meeting momentarily.

Here's a short thread 🧵of what I know, subject to final tweaks.

Start here. (1/?) nondoc.com/2023/05/11/aft… Major details in the article above remain, so read that first.

New components seem to include:

• An extra $25M for Redbud
• A $3M-ish pilot program for elementary reading specialists
• A one-time $150M approp for "school safety" paid over 3 years.
• 6 week maternity leave.

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)

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…

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/?)

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)
nondoc.com/writers-fund/ 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)

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…

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…

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/?)

Another condemnation of OKGOP Chairman John Bennett, this time from Rep. @JoshWestOKHD5, a former #okleg colleague and a fellow veteran. Note the #2018CW hashtag at the end. Amusing!

Let my next couple tweets take you down memory lane... #thread The #2018CW tag refers to the campaign "Civil War" that sprung up around the historic revenue raising package that funded #oklaed raises, et al.

MR in the Facebook post = Mike Ritze, a Broken Arrow GOP Rep. who constantly talked about how many babies he delivered as a doc. (2/?)

A man identifying as "Robert" called me from a blocked number to say I should write that #OKGOP Chairman John Bennett must resign over this.

I asked if he would say that on the record. He declined. I'm 99% sure the caller is a currently Republican #okleg member. So... (1/?)

https://twitter.com/McAlesterNews/status/1421210022466527232

I decided to check my email inbox to see if any Republican politician in Oklahoma had issued a statement about this situation, and I did not see any.

Then, I decided to check out the trusty ol' @nondocmedia Twitter list of #Oklahoma lawmakers: twitter.com/i/lists/902228… (2/?)

The #OU Board of Regents has started its meeting. Here's a look at today's packed house of local and national media. People like football. #Big12 #SEC (1/3) For those who may not have followed the #OU Board of Regents extensively, @RepMarkMcBride has once again exercised his #okleg authority to enter today's executive session as an observer. Here he is being patted on the back by Regent Eric Stevenson as Sean Burrage grins. #oklaed

Posted up at the #Oklahoma Development Finance Authority again today because I lover #bankers and also figure the $4 billion #securitization program of February's #okwx-related utility debt should be monitored.

Buckle up for a thread! Board member Bridger Cox and Secretary Brent Kisling are not in attendance today. Chairman Roger Wagner introduces a woman named Katherine (Catherine?) to go over financials. Says "over the last 11 months, ODFA has held an average cash balance of $9.1 million."

The House Rules Committee is starting its 40-bill agenda. Thoughts and prayers are welcomed. There are a few interesting bills here, including one that would provide a cost of living adjustment for some state retirees. okhouse.gov/CommitteeCalen… #okleg #oklaed Chairman Zack Taylor (R-Seminole) read a list of bills and asked if any members object to those bills being do-passed without discussion. Some lawmakers (and others) seem surprised. I'm hearing this used to happen a lot when Democrats were in charge. Lots of murmuring! #okleg