Alva Review-Courier -

Things have become increasingly tense at the Capitol as we wind down our last month of session. The final stretch is weighing heavily on every lawmaker in these halls, and the days are starting to seem longer.

Dealing with the budget is a very frustrating process. Lawmakers are trying to juggle making sure our state runs efficiently without sacrificing agency budgets to the point workers are unable to provide necessary services. And each step of the way, we’ve hit a roadblock.

To implement a tax increase, a measure must receive three-fourths of the vote in both the House and the Senate. For the House, that means 76 of us have to vote in favor of any particular bill. In a normal year, this would be extremely tough. But House Republicans have lost three members this session, making that vote even harder to obtain. In reality, a measure needs to receive about 78 percent approval in the House this year to be passed over to the Senate. So for every one person who might vote no, the House needs four people to vote yes. It’s a hard bar to reach.

To take that idea further, it’s almost always easier to vote against a measure than it is to vote yes. This is intensified when you’re dealing with a tax increase. Imagine trying to get 78 percent of House District 58 to agree on an issue. Let’s say a constituent offers every person in District 58 a picture of Oklahoma inside a rustic green frame. All we need to do is have 78 percent of our citizens agree to hang it in their living rooms.

People could be against the framed picture for any number of reasons: someone may not want a picture of Oklahoma hanging in their living room; another person might hate the color green; someone else may really dislike the rustic design. The options are endless. Now take that and expand it to mean we’d be increasing taxes on constituents. It’s a terrible battle with a lot to weigh, especially when the governor has said she will veto any budget without recurring revenue.

I have found that nearly everyone can support a tax that doesn’t affect their constituents. I don’t believe we can tax ourselves to prosperity, but I do think there’s a balance we should try to find. State appropriations to most agencies have decreased by 35 percent over the last decade, and there has been no adjustment for inflation. To expect out state to provide the same services with continued cuts is unrealistic. Because we live in a rural part of the state, I fear our district will bear the brunt of those cuts more than urban areas.

Last week, the House has saved about $55 million in decreased tax incentives and deductions. It’s a start, and I’m hoping we can keep the momentum going.

I have been receiving your emails and just recently received those letters concerned about loss of rural health care. Rest assured, I’m pushing for funding for those necessary entities. I am honored to serve. Please contact my office at 405-557-7339, or email me at [email protected].