It’s legislative session time already, and the pre-party is starting a week sooner than usual.
No, I don’t mean this weekend’s annual Speaker’s Ball where influence groups picked up the tab and lawmakers rocked out to geriatric Alabama.
I’m talking about the special session Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has called to start Monday, Jan. 29, one full week ahead of the constitutionally required start of the 2024 regular session.
Stitt’s pre-game bash aims to force the Legislature to vote on reducing the individual state income tax by 0.25 percent, something he tried to do all last year. In fact, he tried to call a special session soiree in October tax-cut purposes, and that failed spectacularly after he refused to sit with the Senate and talk about the topic in public.
With Senate leadership already saying that the week before regular session starts is too early to finalize a big budget puzzle piece, it’s hard to see how this special session shindig will offer any more fun.
Since 2024’s looming legislative blowout is sure to spur as many comics as usual, I thought I would take a stab at drawing different members than normal as a reminder of just how many people are going to think this party stinks.
House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson (D-OKC) always seems adequately annoyed by Stitt’s shenanigans, and she called this latest special session a great way “to waste time and taxpayer dollars by throwing ideas at the wall to see what sticks.”
Meanwhile, I’m told Rep. Bob Ed Culver Jr. (R-Tahlequah) is a gregarious fellow who brightens up any room, plus I’m an OU football fan.
For their sakes and others’, here’s hoping this special session pre-party is at least as fun as the lamest tailgate.
Past Sundaze comics
Will Edmond NIMBYs unite against the earthquakes?
Just the sip: ABLE Commission mixes a bitter beverage
Hello, 2024: Cheers to another year of art imitating life
Ooops, Santa left his tax exempt certificate at home
Despite OKC restaurants closing, keep a positive palate
Personal fowl: Switzer blitzes Stitt on rooster rumbles
Sen. Markwayne Mullin takes his fight and bite national
Stitt antes up for February fight on sports betting
Bad luck Halloween: The rainy trick spoiling your treats
New OKC Thunder arena election may not be a layup
The water meter spins at the Edmond aquatic center
Ryan Walters explores new math with budget request
Endless consumption: Pac-Man popular in Oklahoma
Cheers to 8 years of (sometimes political) cartoons
What to do when there’s no room at the Edmond inn?
Behold, OU students: Lindsey Street tailgating returns
PAC 12 implosion continues conference realignment
The Earth must be quite a pothole for UFOs
American Heartland Theme Park raises some eyebrows
Sick of Stitt hammering the machine, Drummond seeks a spin
Introducing a Razr-thin margin of plausible deniability
Bright future: OKC Thunder rookies ready to get to work
Blockbuster: Oklahoma weather presents DVD-size hail
Uncommon ground in Edmond: No art of compromise?
Stitt knows how to get, how to get to Override Street
Former Justice Steven Taylor broke open a tie ballgame
Welcome to the whirlwind of graduation season
All aboard? Coordinating an Edmond, Norman, OKC commuter rail vote