Is the cigarette fee a legal way to balance the state budget?

On Tuesday, August 8th, the Oklahoma Supreme Court will be hearing oral arguments regarding recent challenges to revenue measures enacted in the 2017 legislative session. If anyone tells you they know exactly how this will turn out, they are blowing smoke, because they could definitely decide any number of ways.

Since Together Oklahoma focuses most of our attention on budget and tax issues, this is a big deal for our team.  Our state’s failure to fund core public services like schools, prisons, and this bridge that just collapsed make this a big deal for all of Oklahoma. If the Supreme Court throws out key revenues in the budget, we could go to a special legislative session or see even more damaging cuts to state agencies.

The three oral arguments will take place in the Supreme Court Courtroom at the State Capitol Tuesday at 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. Due to an anticipated overflow crowd, the House of Representatives has made available Conference Room 206, where a live stream will be provided to those who cannot find seating in the courtroom.

The link to the live video can be found Tuesday on the OSCN website here and will also be posted here and ON Together Oklahoma Facebook page, IN Together OK Facebook group, and VIA @TogetherOK on Twitter. 

ALSO, feel free to join our discussion about the public hearings in the capitol_updates channel in TOK Slack

In other news:

These events, as well as upcoming elections, legislator town halls, and events with our friends at Let’s Fix This, Women Lead, VOICE, ACTION, and other non-partisan organizations can be found on our events calendar and on Together OK Slack.

Have a great week!

-KJ