Four stories that were trending or generated discussion online or on KGOU’s social media platforms during the past week.
An obscure sales tax break authored by Oklahoma’s Senate leader is subsidizing an expensive form of enhanced oil recovery for seven companies, including the senator’s employer. Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, authored the credit for electricity used to power “waterflood” recovery projects a decade ago. The first company to take advantage of it was Tulsa-based Uplands Resources, where Bingman served as land manager.
Reader Elma Gonzales writes: "Called 'conflict of interest' in most places."
In what state Sen. David Holt called an “annual tradition,” several lawmakers filed social bills that will likely lead to a national spotlight on Oklahoma as the 2016 legislative session gets under way. The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer advocacy group Freedom Oklahoma voiced their opposition this week to more than two dozen bills they say will restrict transgender individuals from using public restrooms where they feel most comfortable, and sanction discrimination under the guise of religious freedom.
The troubled two-decade project to build the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum is a step closer to completion after the Oklahoma City Council formally voted to let the Chickasaw Nation pay to finish construction and operate the facility. During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Mick Cornett stressed adopting the resolution was merely a formality, and the city has always planned to take control of the project from the state.
Reader Danny Smith wrote on Facebook: "A tax revenue for the city and state that is not oil related ."
It’s been a little over two weeks since the record-breaking $1.5 billion Powerball lottery jackpot. The daydreams and hysteria surrounding the chance to become an overnight multimillionaire may have died down, but sales revenue continues to trickle into the Oklahoma Lottery. Oklahoma’s Education Trust Fund, which will receive about $9 million.
A reader identified only as “Educator” writes: “Out of this $9 million dollar surplus, what will students and teachers see? It all goes into the same formula. Basically, it is nice to see the lottery gain the extra revenue, but there won't be a noticeable change because of it. Schools are still getting cut, and the revenue from the lottery doesn't change that. Lottery money is not money that is given to schools in addition to state funding like most people think. Lottery money was placed in the funding formula and replaced other monies that are now used to fund other entities.”
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