Political notebook: Treat opposes legislative extension of Cherokee tag compact

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat said last week that he does not favor another extension of the current compact, which the Legislature enacted over the governor’s objections last year.

If the current deal expires at the end of this year, the state will no longer receive any Cherokee tag revenue and the Cherokee Nation will no longer be able to sell tags to citizens living outside its reservation.

Unclear is whether those vehicles would have to be immediately re-registered with the state of Oklahoma.

No one seems to know what the net effect on state or local school revenue would be. This year Tulsa County schools received $1.72 million from the Cherokee Nation from its tag sales, but at least some of that likely would be recouped if those vehicles outside the reservation switch to state registrations.

Under the dome: The House Appropriations and Budget Committee has scheduled a 9 a.m. Monday meeting to consider a $45 million supplemental appropriation for Emergency Management.

• House Administrative Rules Committee Chairman Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus, has filed alternate joint resolutions for Tuesday’s meeting to consider the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s ambitious proposals.

One of the bills would accept all rules as written. The second would provide for exceptions but would leave the specifics to be filled in, presumably at the discretion of the committee.

• State Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Oklahoma City, said reconfigured high school graduation requirements sent to the governor last week are unlikely to achieve the desired result.

“Yes, we need improved math education, but adding another high school math class does not achieve that on its own,” said Fugate, one of 14 House members voting against the new requirements, which include an additional math credit.

“The problem is not a lack of math classes but a lack of foundational learning before students enter into high school. We can’t improve math education until we stop replacing experienced teachers with emergency and adjunct persons and start providing them the resources they need.”

• Among the bills signed last week by Gov. Kevin Stitt was Senate Bill 1283, which lifts a temporary moratorium on local sales and use tax increases.

Stitt also signed SB 1457, which designates work-related post-traumatic stress disorder an injury covered by workers compensation insurance.

• The Senate confirmed Tulsan Annaelise Vest as state emergency management director.

Campaigns and elections: Paul Bondar, a reputed millionaire and relatively recent arrival in the state who is challenging 4th District Congressman Tom Cole (also a reputed millionaire) in this year’s Republican primary, denied accusations that he owes overdue taxes and attacked Cole for voting by absentee ballot the last 20 years.

In a related matter, U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin endorsed Cole for reelection.

• Elected officials typically shy away from endorsements in their party’s primaries, but state Rep. Amanda Swope, D-Tulsa, has picked sides in four open-seat races.

Three are in Tulsa.

Swope, unopposed this year, endorsed Regina Goodwin in Senate District 11, Michelle McCain in House District 72 and Ron Stewart in HD 73. All three seats will be determined in the Democratic primary.

Swope also endorsed Nicole Maldonado in Oklahoma City’s HD 88.

Meetings and events: Proposed budgets for the city of Broken Arrow and its associated bodies will be discussed at a special City Council meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Broken Arrow Senior Center Annex, 1811 S. Main St.

• The minimum wage initiative petition now in circulation will be the topic of 3rd Congressional District Vice Chairman Jim Potts’ presentation to the Creek County Democratic Party at 6 a.m. Thursday at Joseph’s in Drumright, 54580 W. Hwy 16.
• The Tulsa County Democratic Party is hosting a meet-the-candidates event at 6 p.m. Saturday at American Legion Post 1, 1120 E. Eighth St.

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