Oklahoma’s budget crisis is threatening to eliminate important services for many of the state’s neediest residents. Three weeks ago, Gov. Mary Fallin convened a special session of the Oklahoma Legislature to address the budget gap.
But, as The Tulsa World reports, the special session has yet yielded only three weeks of closed-door meetings—and no answers to the budget dilemma. According to those familiar with the closed-door meetings, a deep political divide has paralyzed the process.
Meanwhile, the state’s constitution makes increasing revenue difficult. One faction of Republicans in the statehouse has evidently refused to raise state revenue unless Oklahoma passes a statewide abortion ban. State Sen. Ervin Yen, A Republican from Oklahoma City, noted that such a law would be immediately overturned by the first federal court that heard it.