House Joint Resolution 1014 reinforces the power of the state Legislature to set a yearly budget. The resolution also says the Legislature would not be forced to give one agency more money than another.
The measure is now one of eight measures put on the 2010 ballot by the Legislature. It seeks to limit the power of another state question put on the ballot earlier by an initiative petition. The group Helping Oklahoma Public Education submitted enough signatures to put a proposal on the ballot that would require the Legislature to fund education on a per-student basis, equal to the regional average. Officials estimate that, if passed by voters, it could require an additional $85 million a year for public education.
What’s the reaction? "This was slapped together to muddy the waters,” said Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant. "Don’t come out here and try to trick us. Let us make a clear choice in November. We don’t need this. If the HOPE petition passes, then let’s come back and fix this.”
Sen. Todd Lamb, R-Edmond, the Senate sponsor of the measure, said the question on the ballot is to protect the power of the state Legislature.
"Without this measure, citizens in other states will decide how this state spends money,” he said. "It takes away our authority.”
Sen. Joe Sweeden, D-Pawhuska, argued against the measure, saying the ballot already has too many questions. During his debate, he unfurled several ballots taped together that touched the ground.
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