It’s That Time Of Year: New Legislation Could Transform Legislature
Some early legislative proposals could rock Oklahoma state government
by Rick Green, NewsOK.com
Lawmakers have begun to introduce measures for next year’s legislative session, and there are some doozies.
One would change the very structure of the Oklahoma Legislature, another would have the Legislature meet only every other year and a third would reduce legislators’ pay. Another bill getting attention comes up with a funding mechanism for the long-delayed American Indian Cultural Center and Museum in Oklahoma City.
Whether any of these ideas will navigate the long road between proposal and law remains to be seen, but they do show the priorities of some legislators in advance of the four-month, 2015 legislative session, which begins Feb. 2.
Sen. Patrick Anderson, R-Enid, said recently he could support completing the Indian center, if the money came from tribal funds that now go to the state.
The museum can be completed if lawmakers provide $40 million in state money to match another $40 million in private pledges. Last legislative session, lawmakers couldn’t agree on providing the state’s share.