Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin ordered a special legislative session to convene later this month.
As KGOU reports, Fallin recommended five subjects for the session, with the main point of emphasis on fiscal year 2018’s $215 million budget hole.
In a press release, Fallin said legislators need to fix structural problems with the state budget.
“For decades, we have attempted to balance our budget for too long with the use of one-time resources. We must develop a budget based on stability, not volatility,” she said.
The $1.50-per-pack fee on cigarettes – passed by legislators to cover the budget hole - was recently ruled unconstitutional by the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
The governor also recommended that lawmakers increase teacher pay, find long-term solutions to budget shortfalls and increase state government’s efficiency.
According to the order, Fallin also wants lawmakers to pass legislation clarifying that the new 1.25 percent vehicle sales tax does not apply to the trucking industry.