Armed with its largest supermajority within the state’s historical past, Republican lawmakers discovered elevated legislative success this yr because the variety of profitable payments written by Democrats fell.
An Oklahoma Watch overview discovered that of the almost 600 payments that made it by way of the legislative course of, solely 28 had Democrats because the invoice’s authentic lead sponsor.
That complete is the bottom variety of Democratic-originated payments to be signed by the governor in the course of the opening yr of a brand new Legislature since at the very least 2013.
With Democrats introducing about 540 payments this yr, simply over 5% of these made it to the governor’s desk. Within the final 4 different opening years of a brand new Legislature in 2019, 2017, 2015 and 2013, Democrats have been passing nearer to 10% of the payments its members launched.
Almost 20% of all payments handed this yr.
Oklahoma Watch’s depend categorized payments by who was listed because the lead creator on the unique model. Many payments have lawmakers signal on as co-sponsors after they’re launched. It’s commonplace to have bipartisan sponsors by the point payments are of their ultimate type.
However the evaluation gives a have a look at a number of the impacts on the legislative course of as Republicans have solidified their affect within the Legislature through the years.
Democrats held a majority within the statehouse as lately as 2002. With simply 19 members within the present 101-member Home, they’ve misplaced seats or failed to choose up seats in 9 consecutive elections.
And within the state Senate, the place Republicans maintain a 39-to-9 majority, Democrats are close to their all-time low.
Payments which have discovered success in bluer states, reminiscent of measures to extend the minimal wage, maintain police extra accountable or transferring to a preferred vote to elect the following president, failed with out a committee vote. However most of the Democrat-led payments that did cross this yr in Oklahoma weren’t overtly liberal proposals.
These embrace proposals that define the rights of a sexual assault victims, add skilled growth requirement for academics and creates a gross sales tax exemption city-county library methods.
Senate Minority Chief Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma Metropolis, joked on the finish of this yr’s session that amongst Democrats’ high accomplishments was simply surviving.
“Is it irritating? Some days greater than others,” she stated as she recapped the yr on the ultimate day of the session. “Would I prefer to see extra (Democratic) members? In fact I’d, however that is the place we’re proper now.”
Floyd stated Democrats continued to play a job in shaping different laws and dealing throughout the aisle on a number of measures.
“When you think about our dimension, I believe we outperform very often,” she stated. “Our debates are pointed, they’re researched and despite the fact that we are able to’t sway a vote, it doesn’t imply our constituents aren’t being heard and it does not imply we are able to’t sway public opinion occasionally.”
Floyd added that, at occasions in contrast to the GOP majority, Democrats have a tendency to supply a unified entrance that may increase their affect.
“We normally vote as a unit,” she stated. “It’s not due to any strain or something, it’s simply how our constituents assume.”
GOP leaders applauded the work of the Legislature this yr.
Home Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, famous that this session noticed extra “pro-growth conservative wins than ever earlier than.”
And Senate Professional Tempore Greg Deal with, R-Oklahoma Metropolis, disagreed that this yr, which introduced controversial laws involving protestors, abortions, important race idea, was politically polarizing.
“The people who find themselves on the dropping aspect assume it is divisive, the individuals on the successful aspect — the overwhelming majority of legislators and the overwhelming majority of Oklahomans — really feel this was extraordinarily profitable,” he stated. “Each session has its ups and downs … however in the event you look again at it general, this was an especially profitable session.”
Trevor Brown has been an Oklahoma Watch reporter since 2016. He covers politics, elections, well being insurance policies and authorities accountability points. Name or textual content him at (630) 301-0589. Electronic mail him at [email protected]. Comply with him on Twitter at @tbrownokc
The put up As GOP Majority Grows, Fewer Democratic-Led Payments Make it By Oklahoma’s Legislature appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.
Powered by WPeMatico
