Mike O'Neal 510 State Capitol 2300 N. Lincoln Oklahoma City, Ok 73105-4885 (405) 557-7317 (405) 522-4203 Fax |
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THIS WEEK IN THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE
by Rep. Mike O'Neal
May 18 - 22, 1998
Oklahoma City - State representatives and senators have spent the better part of the past few weeks working in conference committees on compromise versions of bills which passed both chambers in slightly different forms. But last week, with the May 29 deadline for adjournment looming, conferees began to wrap up their work and send finished products to the House and Senate floors for final consideration. State representatives kept hectic schedules last week as they shuttled between House floor sessions and conference committee meetings.
Here are a few of last week's legislative highlights:
The House and Senate passed a pay hike for Oklahoma's state troopers and transmitted the bill to the governor. The raises are part of a $4.8 million plan to increase law enforcement and correctional officers' salaries.
The House passed HB 2965 on a 55 - 41 vote. The controversial bill would require voter approval of outpatient surgery centers wishing to locate in counties with a population of 65,000 or less. Opponents of the bill say it would restrict free market competition, while supporters say it would protect rural hospitals who cannot compete with lower prices offered by outpatient surgery centers.
Governor Frank Keating signed a poultry regulation bill aimed at protecting the state's water supply. SB 1170 requires poultry to register with the state and requires the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture to inspect registered poultry feeding operations.
The Legislature passed pay raises for Oklahoma's 37,000 state employees ranging from $1250 to $2000 beginning January 1, 1999. HB 2928 now goes to the governor.
House members approved SB 951, the appropriations bill for the Department of Corrections, and transmitted it to the governor. Under the budget plan, funds are provided to move the more than one thousand Oklahoma prisoners currently being held
in private Texas facilities back to Oklahoma by December 1. Funds are also provided for an additional 780 private prison beds and 600 new public prison beds.
I am still hopeful that the Legislature will pass meaningful tax relief this session. At this time, a reduction in the death tax is most likely, and there is also the possibility that there could be a reduction in the state sales tax on groceries.
Negotiations are continuing between House and Senate conferees on the proposal to reform the state's truth-in-sentencing law. Governor Keating has indicated he may call a special legislative session if the Legislature does not have time to enact the reforms before this Friday's adjournment deadline.
That wraps up my report for this week. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at the state capitol at 1-800-522-8502.
God bless - Mike
