Research and compilation by Nancy McDaniel of Creek County.
There are 2 types of state questions:
1) Written in the form of a BILL that the LEGISLATORS propose and if passed by the HOUSE and SENATE, is then given to the Secretary of State to approve wording (gist), court objections and assign a SQ number.
2) CITIZEN LEAD INITIATIVE PETITION which also has to get approval by the Secretary of State for the wording (gist), overcome court objections and then given 90 days for citizens to gather signatures of REGISTERED VOTERS which have to be validated by the State Election board.
SQ844 – AUGUST ballot:
HJR1087 by HILBERT/Paxton created this state question – AN OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT proposal concerning the 5 year AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTIONS for qualifying manufacturing facilities. Directs the legislature to create laws defining levels and methodologies of REIMBURSEMENT for local entities that LOSE REVENUE due to the EXEMPTIONS GIVEN TO CORPORATIONS AS TAX INCENTIVES BY THE LEGISLATURE to ensure that reimbursement to one county does not disadvantage other counties. It also requires that the reimbursed value of EXEMPT MANUFACTURING PROPERTY be added to a local government’s assessed valuation when calculating its constitutional debt limit, thereby increasing their borrowing capacity by the reimbursed amount (increase their DEBT FOR TAXPAYERS TO PAY).
(These “corporations” get anywhere from 5 to 20 years of AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTIONS given by laws written by the legislature as INCENTIVES TO COME TO OKLAHOMA. This is what is known as CORPORATE WELFARE. These are mostly wind, solar, carbon capture, battery and data center related but includes the Inola UAE aluminum smelter and other manufacturers as well).
This bill passed along party lines. The better option would be to not embrace corporate welfare via tax exemptions that are ultimately returned to the taxpayers to pay. Recommend a NO vote on this one.
SQ845 NOVEMBER ballot:
HJR1024 by Moore/Harris/GOLLIHARE created this state question – AN OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. Changes provisions related to the Judicial Nominating Commission. Updates references so appointments made by certain persons based on the congressional districts would be made using the current congressional districts instead of the districts as the districts were constituted when this section of the Constitution was originally adopted in 1967. Removes a prohibition on certain members of the Commission so that the person could be a licensed attorney. Allows a person to serve on the Commission even if they have a member of their family who is a licensed attorney. Changes the terms so that with the exception of at-large members, the term would be for 6 years. The at-large members would serve a 2 year term. Removes restrictions based on political party membership. Removes a provision that prohibits a Commission member from succeeding himself or herself on the Commission. Provides that the changes in the way people are appointed or selected for membership on the Judicial Nominating Commission will apply to positions as they become vacant because an existing term of office expires or because of a vacancy.
This bill was voted as a NO by conservative senators Bullard, Burns, Deevers, Grellner, Sacchieri and house representatives Gann, Humphrey, Jenkins, Olsen, Shaw, Rick West. Agree and recommend a NO vote.
SQ846 AUGUST ballot:
SJR47 by Paxton/HILBERT created this state question – Would establish in the OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTION that voters must present identification when voting. It does NOT SPECIFY what the means of ID this would be. It does NOT state “photo ID” and the LEGISLATURE then would have the authority to specify what qualifies as proof of identity AND since it would be in our constitution, it would be much harder to change it than if it was just in statute (law). A citizen lead initiative petition would be required to change anything the legislature does we don’t want.
This passed along party lines and even house representatives Shaw and Gann voted for it along with senators Jett, Bullard, Deevers, Grellner and Sacchieri. Recommend a YES vote.
SQ847 NOVEMBER ballot:
SJR39 by Paxton/HILBERT created this state question – A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. Lowers maximum commercial property value increase from 5% to 4%. For PRIMARY RESIDENCE and agricultural land from 3% to 1.75%. Also lowers the senior property tax freeze from 3% to 1.75% only for 65+ only who meet income requirements. (They tried to get this on the primary run off “special election” in August but that failed due to conservative votes, mostly Freedom Caucus).
WE DO NOT WANT LOWER PROPERTY TAXES–WE WANT ELIMINATION OF PROPERTY TAXES! We should make up the difference with a CONSUMPTION TAX that would be paid by ALL OKLAHOMANS not just property owners.
This bill was voted as a NO by conservative senators Bullard, Burns, Deevers, Grellner, Jett, McIntosh, Sacchieri. Recommend a NO vote.
These State Questions have already been dealt with this year and both failed:
SQ832 – The citizen lead Initiative Petition #446 for $15 dollar minimum wage. (DEFEATED in June 16th primary)
SQ836 – The citizen lead initiative petition for open/jungle primaries FAILED to get sufficient number of signatures! This was funded and promoted primarily by Oklahoma United 501(c)(4), Norman League of Women Voters, G.T. Bynum (former Tulsa mayor) and David Holt (OKC mayor).
This one is pending signature collection process completion:
SQ840 – Open Government Reform – this is still in the petition process gathering signatures to get it on the ballot in November. We do not know yet if enough signatures will be gathered to get it on the ballot. Recommend signing the petition if you get the chance. More on this topic here: https://okgrassroots.com/why-is-state-question-840-important-for-oklahoma/
Original content via OKGrassroots
