By Rep. RICK WEST
State Questions 844 and 846 are scheduled to be on the Aug. 25 primary runoff ballot.
SQ844 asks whether to exempt qualified manufacturers from ad valorem taxes. The question was created through the Legislature by House Joint Resolution 1087.
If passed, this would amend the state Constitution, incentivizing manufacturers to locate, expand or acquire manufacturing facilities in Oklahoma through this five-year ad valorem tax exception. The state would then be responsible for reimbursing common schools, county governments, cities and towns, emergency medical service districts, vocational technical schools, junior colleges, county health departments and libraries for any revenues lost as a result of each exemption.
The Legislature would then be tasked with enacting laws to ensure no county receives reimbursement in an amount that would be detrimental to other counties. This would have a fiscal impact on the state budget.
SQ846 will ask whether voters should be required to present proof of identity when voting in county and state elections.
The question was created through the Legislature by Senate Joint Resolution 47.
If passed, this measure too would amend the state Constitution. The Legislature would be tasked with specifying the specific identification requirements through future legislation.
Scheduled for the November general election are State Question 845, which will ask voters whether to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to change the structure and terms of the members serving on the state’s Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC); and State Question 847, which will ask voters whether to limit property tax increases.
Aug. 25 is the date for the primary runoff election. Reminder that registered voters will only be able to vote on the ballot that matches their party affiliation. On the Republican ballot are two candidates in each of the following races: for governor: Genter Drummond and Mike Mazzei; for superintendent of public instruction: Robert Franklin and James Taylor; for commissioner of labor: John Pfeiffer and Kevin West; for insurance commissioner: Marty Quinn and Bob Sullivan. There are two Democrats facing off for the United States Senate seat: Jim Priest and N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas. There are two Republican candidates for state representative House District 1 in LeFlore County: George Phipps and Chris White; and two Republican candidates for County Commission District 1: David Honeycutt and Mike Parker.
Howe Public Schools also has a proposition on the ballot. The district is asking for approval of a $685,000 bond project to construct, furnish and/or equip Phase 2 improvements to the current multi-phased high school construction project, to include, but not be limited to: perform interior improvements, as needed. The district has an outstanding building bond of $410,000 ($90,000 in principal is outstanding) from 2021 that was used to acquire land and improve school sites.
One final reminder that Doug Linehan, the executive director of the Oklahoma Tax Commission, will be in our area at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Patrick Lynch Library in Poteau for anyone who has questions or concerns.
Remember to listen to my Capitol update on the radio at 7:35 a.m. every Thursday on KPRV.
As always, if I can help you with anything, please call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at rick.west@okhouse.gov.
Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.
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