Greg Treat
Lawmakers probe Oklahoma’s business retention efforts as Ardmore tire plant to close
OKLAHOMA CITY — State senators on Tuesday explored the conditions that led a global tire company to decide to close its Ardmore factory and probed economic development officials on solutions to retain businesses in Oklahoma. The Senate Select Committee on Business Retention and Economic Development delved into Michelin’s announcement last week that it will close […]
State’s high court punts case challenging Oklahoma lawmakers’ tribal compact extensions
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma lawmakers’ decision to extend tribal compacts without the governor’s blessing withstood its first legal challenge after the state’s highest court refused to hear the case. In a 6-3 decision, the Oklahoma Supreme Court announced Monday that it would not hear a case brought by a conservative nonprofit against House Speaker Charles […]
Oklahoma legislative leaders to get pay increases. Most lawmakers will not.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Legislative leaders will receive a pay increase next year, but most legislators will not, a state compensation board decided Tuesday. The Legislative Compensation Board voted unanimously to increase by 5% the stipends legislative leaders receive on top of their annual salaries. House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, and Senate President Pro Tem Greg […]
Opinion: Stitt’s call for sunshine in Oklahoma spending could light way for public participation
Three cheers to Oklahoma’s governor for his calls to make the Legislature’s budget process more transparent. For years now, the state’s multi-billion dollar budget has largely been built behind closed doors over four months. The process evokes images of dimly lit back rooms where only a handful of select legislators — and likely influential lobbyists […]
Top Oklahoma lawmakers mull ways to make state budget process more transparent
OKLAHOMA CITY — Facing criticism that their state budget process is secretive, legislative leaders pledged to increase the transparency surrounding how lawmakers craft a massive spending plan appropriating billions of taxpayer dollars. In calling for a special legislative session, Gov. Kevin Stitt urged lawmakers to pass measures to make their annual budgeting more transparent, including […]
Oklahoma House speaker disappointed in Senate’s inaction on tax cuts
OKLAHOMA CITY — House Republicans will continue to push for tax cuts even though the Senate adjourned a special legislative session without taking action on the issue, Oklahoma’s House speaker said Wednesday. Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, said he was disappointed the Senate abruptly adjourned the special session on Tuesday without passing any legislation and without […]
Oklahoma Senate rebuffs Stitt, abruptly ends special legislative session
OKLAHOMA CITY — Mere hours after lawmakers gaveled in Tuesday for a special legislative session on tax cuts and budget transparency, the Senate abruptly adjourned without addressing any of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s demands for income tax reductions. Just hours before, the House’s top Republican, Speaker Charles McCall, had expressed optimism that legislative leaders could come […]
Oklahoma Senate leader demands details from Stitt on ‘intensely vague’ special session
OKLAHOMA CITY — The head of the Oklahoma Senate wants lawmakers to grill Gov. Kevin Stitt on what he hopes to gain from a special legislative session next month. Calling the governor’s special session agenda “intensely vague,” Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, requested Stitt appear before a legislative panel to provide details […]