The Oklahoma Department of Human Services permanently shuttered dozens of offices over the last year in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and state budget cuts. The move left schools and law enforcement to fill the gaps in some rural parts of the state.
Displeased by hospitals’ support for Medicaid expansion, some Republicans believe increased fees should start before available federal funds are used up.
Once fully implemented, the tax cuts would eliminate an estimated $280 million in annual tax revenue for the state.
Some lawmakers said they weren’t willing to use the budget as a lever to stop managed care.
On the heels of the pandemic and amid concerns about the millions of dollars in education funding that would have to be replaced, Senate Republicans have halted plans to cut taxes.
Lawmakers pushed through two bills as part of Republican backlash to voter mandates on Medicaid expansion, medical marijuana and criminal justice reform.
Oklahoma has $289 million in rental assistance and grants as a federal moratorium on evictions draws to an end.
Lawmakers say they won’t allow tax restructuring to impact education funding, but the bills are continuing through the legislative process without details on how money now dedicated for schools will be replaced.
