The Senate has passed the halfway point in this legislative session.
Although the number of bills advancing through the legislative process have been whittled down, there’s still plenty of work to be done at the Capitol. The Legislature recently hit the point in session when House bills cross to the Senate and vice versa.
Roughly 275 Senate bills and two joint resolutions are eligible to be heard in the House while 423 House bills and one joint resolution could be heard in my chamber. I’ve signed on to be the Senate author of more than two dozen House bills that have been assigned to various committees in the upper chamber. That includes House Bill 3424, which is just one of several measures I’m supporting that would allow for greater investment in rural counties across the state.
This bill would create the Community Quality of Life Enhancement Revolving Fund, which counties could use to pay for infrastructure and public transportation improvements, parks and recreational facilities, community centers, environmental conservation projects and public art and beautification initiatives. Rep. Nick Archer and I propose the state put an initial investment of $60 million into the fund that would be overseen by the Department of Commerce. As lawmakers are debating what to do with a surplus of one-time cash, we felt like providing counties a new funding source to invest in their communities and their residents was a no-brainer.
I’m also supporting House Bill 4070, which would allow counties with a population of 100,000 or fewer people to levy a 0.75% sales tax to implement economic development initiatives. I introduced nearly identical legislation this year, but lawmakers have rallied around this House bill instead. The legislation would allow rural counties to form a County Economic Development Organization to create new business expansion programs or enhance existing programs. In Duncan, we already have something similar with the Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation. HB 4070 would allow voters to decide whether rural counties could fund these economic development efforts through a sales tax increase.
This would be similar to school bond elections, in which residents are asked to vote on various improvements for local schools. School bond proposals must get 60% of the vote to pass, but a county could approve this sales tax increase for economic development purposes with a simple majority. Oklahoma City pioneered this idea with its MAPS initiatives. For decades, Oklahoma City voters have approved a temporary, one-cent sales tax to fund capital projects and initiatives that will create new jobs. HB 4070 would simply give rural counties the same chance to let voters weigh in.
Last month, I participated in the first meeting of the governor’s One Oklahoma Task Force that aims to address issues related to law enforcement in Indian Country following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma. I was honored that Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat trusted me to serve as his designee on the panel. Ultimately, I hope this task force can strike a balance between recognizing and respecting tribal sovereignty and clearing up any jurisdictional confusion created by the McGirt decision.
Tribal governments are a welcome presence in Senate District 43. And at the end of the day, it’s important to remember that tribal members are all Oklahomans too. The task force will make recommendations to the governor within the next few months.
To stay informed about what’s happening in the Senate, visit www. oksenate.gov, along with my Facebook page @SenatorJessicaGarvin. You can also follow the main Senate Facebook @oksenate or the Senate GOP page @OKSenateGOP.
If you have any questions or concerns on legislative matters, please contact me at the Capitol by emailing me at Jessica.Garvin@oksenate. gov, calling me at 405-521-5522, or writing to Senator Jessica Garvin, State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd.
