By Andy Rieger
The Norman Transcript
NOBLE — Republicans got a run-down on the past legislative session and a brief primer on the 11 state questions on the Nov. 2 ballot Tuesday.
State Rep. Scott Martin, R-Norman, said the Republican lunch club meeting at Kendall’s Restaurant on Main Street, was nostalgic for him. His first job out of college was in the Noble city manager’s office.
“Those four years provided a great base and platform for me to learn what government should be doing and what government shouldn’t be doing,” he said. He continued his public employment later for the City of Norman before being elected to the state House.
Martin called the past legislative session an interesting one and said the international recession took longer to hit Oklahoma. Federal stimulus dollars amounted to about $1.2 billion for the state which opted to spread it out over two years.
Additionally, much of the state’s rainy day fund was tapped.
“When we go into session next spring, we will likely utilize what Rainy Day Funds we have left,” he said.
He told the group that they need to be engaged when it comes to voting on state questions. Speaking against State Question 744, Martin said the petition lacks any performance gauge and ties us to other state legislatures. The state already spends 52 percent to 53 percent of its budget on education.
“Really, in Oklahoma, it’s going to take a process to reform education,” he said.
Martin said significant legislation from the past session included:
· Workers compensation reform.
· Authorization for counties to hold reverse auctions to get the lowest price on purchases.
· Closed a loophole that allowed sex offenders to register with a post office box rather than a physical address.
· Settled the issue of who could “float” horse teeth.
On his agenda for next year — pending re-election — includes streamlining regulations for new power plants, changes in agency rulemaking approval and re-use of wastewater effluent by communities that choose to do so.
“I think water in future generations will be like the oil of today,” Martin told the group. “If I were to hold up a glass of water and a glass of wastewater effluent, you couldn’t tell the difference. It’s tough to swallow but the science is there.”
Balkman, a former state representative from Norman’s House District 45, said many voters are becoming familiar with SQ 744. It is the only state question that came from a petition signature drive. SQ 744 requires the legislature to fund education at the per-pupil average of surrounding states. He said studies predict it will shift $1 billion in spending from state functions like mental health and road building.
“This will really handcuff the legislature,” he said. “It usurps the power of the legislature and I can see down the road people doing this next year.”
SQ 746 requires voters to have identification. SQ 747 sets term limits for lieutenant governor, attorney general, state treasurer, superintendent of schools, labor commissioner, state auditor and corporation commissioners. State Question 748 sets a new backup plan if lawmakers can’t agree on redistricting. SQ 750 makes it easier to circulate an initiative petition. SQ 751 makes English the state’s official language and SQ 752 adds two non-lawyer members to the judicial nominating commission.
SQ 754 kicks out SQ 744 in case it passes and SQ 755 says international law or any form of Sharia law cannot be used in Oklahoma courts. SQ 756 calls on the state to opt out of the health care insurance reform act and 757 raises the rainy day fund maximum from 10 percent to 15 percent of state revenues.
