Oklahoma Senate Democrats stall plan to kill 2 tax credits

Democrats manage to delay a measure to kill two tax credits, even though they failed in blocking its passage altogether.

BY JULIE BISBEE | Published: May 20, 2010 Comment on this article

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Senate Democrats flexed legislative muscle on Wednesday by voting against a measure that would end two tax credit programs.

Although a bill that would have ended a rural capital investment tax and a small business capital credit passed 26-22 in a straight party-line vote, the emergency clause on the measure did not get the two-thirds vote needed for passage — delaying the effective date of the bill for three months.

State leaders crafting a budget are working with a $1.2 billion hole and are trying to find additional revenue by suspending some tax credit programs.

"It’s critical we have the emergency,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City. "Without the emergencies, it’s 90 days less revenue for these proposals.”

Senate Bill 1590 is being held in a parliamentary procedure and the Senate can vote on it again over the next three days. Budget talks continue, and legislative leaders say they’re close to reaching an accord.

While budget negotiations between Coffee, Gov. Brad Henry and Speaker of the House Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, are confidential, lawmakers have said that revenue from tax credits is part of the plan to increase the amount of cash available to help fund state services and agencies.

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