Four stories that were trending or generated discussion online or on KGOU’s social media platforms during the past week.
How Oklahoma will deal with a $1.3 billion shortfall in next fiscal year’s budget is starting to take shape at the state Capitol, with the first revenue bills being discussed in House and Senate Joint Committees on Budget and Appropriations this week. State agencies face even more cuts after already having their budgets slashed due to a pair of revenue failures in FY ’16, and there are several different ideas about how to close the gap. The governor has suggested issuing bonds, while the legislative leaders have discussed sunsetting various tax credits and loopholes.
Two months ago Tulsa County prosecutors dropped charges against a 17-year-old boy who allegedly forced an intoxicated female classmate to perform oral sex on him. The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals upheld the ruling due to the way the state’s forcible sodomy laws are worded – it doesn’t cover unconscious or intoxicated victims, even though Oklahoma’s rape statute does. Some praised the judges for upholding the letter of the law, while others lambasted the Court for not applying common sense to a sexual assault case. This week, state Rep. Scott Biggs, R-Chickasha, introduced legislation to close the loophole.
@stevelackmeyer @kgounews @OklahomaWatch @cliftonhowze it's unfair to criticize the Court here; it's a poorly written law.
— TimmmyC (@EsqTim) April 30, 2016
@stevelackmeyer @kgounews @OklahomaWatch @cliftonhowze Like so many things in this state, it'll require the legislature to correct.
— TimmmyC (@EsqTim) April 30, 2016
@stevelackmeyer @kgounews @OklahomaWatch @cliftonhowze Bad judges need 2 be publicly shamed/ridiculed ad nauseum. Til the cows come home!!
— Phil Boudrot (@Pboudrot) April 30, 2016
Late last week state Superintendent Joy Hofmeister told districts lower-than-expected gross production tax revenue will lead to another $13 to $17 million worth of cuts to Oklahoma K-12 education. Gov. Mary Fallin took $51 million from Oklahoma’s state savings account in order to lessen the impact of the $109 million loss so far this year because of two revenue failures.
On Tuesday the Oklahoma Supreme Court killed an initiative petition that would’ve let voters decide if Oklahoma grocers and convenience stores should be allowed to sell wine and full-strength beer. The high court agreed with a challenge by the Oklahoma Grocers Association that State Question 785 would’ve delegated legislative authority, and wasn’t clear in its language. Changing Oklahoma’s liquor laws isn’t dead this session, though. Two other proposals are still working their way through the legislature.
Good lord. Wasn't the VOTE when voters were supposed to be informed? The petition was to ask for a vote!! https://t.co/zbIJdKiHVE
— April Stanley (@AEStanley0909) May 3, 2016
That’s a look at four stories that audiences appreciated on KGOU’s social media and online platforms this week. We’re always interested in your comments, feel free to write to us at news@kgou.org.
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