“Adjournment sine die (from the Latin "without day") means "without assigning a day for a further meeting or hearing"…A legislative body adjourns sine die when it adjourns without appointing a day on which to appear or assemble again. ~Wikipedia

 

The House of Representatives adjourned Sine Die on Friday completing the 53rd legislative session. By Oklahoma Constitution, the legislative session must end no later than 5 p.m. on the last Friday of May. This year legislation was debated until the last minute and session ended mid-bill as the clock ran out on legislative business.

Most notable from this session were legislative items that did not pass.

Since the beginning of session in February, the governor and some legislative leaders were clamoring for a reduction in state revenue by reducing the income tax which accounts for roughly a third of the state’s total revenue stream.

However, in the final week, the tax cut did not materialize as competing plans were developed but leadership could not agree on one plan that would gain legislative approval by members of the House and Senate.

I have reported in previous columns my concerns regarding tax cuts while our government’s core services such as education, transportation, and public safety have not recovered from the spending cuts enacted the past several years.

The budgets for these agencies will be flat again this year meaning that they will receive no more money than they did last year. This is viewed as a cut by many since the budget does not take into consideration the rising cost of operating expenses like utility bills, gas, healthcare, etc.

Also failing last week were several bond proposals, over 260 million dollars worth, which would have funded building repairs and museums but would have caused the state to incur more debt.

Although the above items failed this year, I anticipate that each of these issues will reappear next February when the 54th Legislative Session begins.

It was my pleasure to represent you in Oklahoma’s House this year. Even though the legislative session has ended, I will continue working for you in the district and on future legislation in the interim.

Please let me know you have any questions or comments. You may reach me by calling (800) 522-8502 or my home at (918) 256-3229; emailing chuck.hoskin@okhouse.gov; or writing Rep. Chuck Hoskin, P.O. Box 941, Vinita, OK 74301