Oklahoma lawmakers will return for a special session on September 25, but a proposal to expand gambling appears to be a no-go in the state Senate, even though the state faces a 5 million budget deficit due to a successful court challenge to a .50 cigarette tax.
House Appropriations and Budget Committee Chairman Kevin Wallace introduced a plan to reduce the shortfall by allowing tribal casinos to offer roulette and dice games in exchange for vehicle registration rebates paid to the tribes.
In May, a Senate budget panel voted 22-16 against Senate Bill 857, which would have allowed versions of craps and roulette to be played with real dice and marbles. State Senate Pro Tem Mike Schulz said he was morally opposed to that proposal. He stated his position has not changed since last session when senators defeated a similar gambling expansion plan.
Lawmakers passed the cigarette tax as a fee, requiring only a simple majority, after failing to pass it as a tax, requiring a super majority in both chambers or a voter referendum. Tobacco companies challenged the measure and won. State Rep. Mark McBride said, “I don’t believe we have the votes to do it.”
But Schulz said, “I would like to think that they have the votes in the House and would work diligently to get the votes in the House.” He said he is confident a cigarette tax would pass the Senate.
Schulz added, “The one thing that continues to float to the surface is the cigarette tax. We need to stay focused on those type issues.”
Lawmakers also discussed using the Rainy Day fund and cutting agencies’ funding to make up the budget hole.
State Senator Ron Sharp said, “The Senate Republican Caucus is determined not to take any cuts from your basic agencies. They want to make sure we provide for services the people of Oklahoma expect. We are going to have to get the House on board and to come up with revenue enhancements. And we definitely have to come up with something before the special session.”
