Legislature has no solution for $215 million revenue shortfall after House budget deal fails

OKLAHOMA CITY — Another state budget vehicle blew up on the launch pad Wednesday.

This one came closer to full flight than anything yet proposed during the Legislature-lengthening special session, coming within five House votes of the three-fourths majority. The defeat was bipartisan, although a higher percentage of Democrats — holdouts for most of the session — pressed their green buttons, voting yes.

The final count for House Bill 1054 was 71-27, with 76 votes needed for passage. Rep. John Bennett, R-Sallisaw, a certain “no,” was absent. Two seats are vacant.

Had it passed, the bill would have gone to the Senate, which has already given a supermajority to identical language.

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