Congratulations, Oil Overlords. It looks like you may get the draconian budget you always wanted!
Over the weekend, an Oklahoma House Committee failed to advance a compromised "Plan A" budget package (it stalled on a 11-11 vote) that would have filled the $215-million budget hole, raised gas and gross production taxes, and given teachers and state employee a raise.
Instead, like a college girl making a walk of shame trip to CVS, lawmakers are turning to "Plan B." Here are the details via The Tulsa World:
With the so-called “Plan A” all but dead, lawmakers are expected to turn to a “Plan B,” which consists of five bills requiring only simple majorities. The floor votes on Plan B could come as soon as Saturday morning.
Plan B includes as much as $100 million in spending cuts, accesses reserve and carryover funds, and partially removes the state sales-tax exemption on gasoline. Under the proposal, the 4.5 percent tax would be imposed on the first $1.66 per gallon, which works out to about 7.5 cents per gallon.
Plan B does not include teacher or state employee pay raises or the restoration of the state earned income tax credit.
Just about everyone with a soul and conscience hates Plan B. Hobby Lobby has even come out against the plan saying that public policy "begins at conception."