AFR needs your help! HB 1374 would allow municipalities to increase ad valorem taxes in order to fund salaries, employee benefits and equipment for public safety services. This tax increase circumvents the state constitution, does not require a super majority vote and sets a dangerous precedent for the future. Please contact your state legislator today and ask them to vote NO on HB 1374.  ( Click here to find your legislator or contact AFR for more information. )

We also invite you to join us in Oklahoma City for AFR Day at the Capitol on May 9 at 1:30 pm. You can discuss this critical issue and more with fellow AFR members and state lawmakers.

The stack of legislation that started at 2,246 bills in January, is now down to 614 after the final committee deadline was eclipsed last week. Most bills to address the state budget have yet to receive any substantial text or meaningful votes. Discussions and negotiations among legislative leadership and the Governor's office continue behind closed doors, while the Capitol rotunda fills with nervous chatter about whether we will see  revenue-raising proposals or reduced spending plans. But as Randy Krehbiel of the Tulsa World put it this week, "sometime in May, the budget appears like a rabbit out of a hat, except much less cute and cuddly."

Governor Fallin signed two bills this week that are geared toward evolving the wind energy industry in Oklahoma. HB 2298 halts the expensive tax credit for new wind energy production facilities. This credit cost the state $60 million in 2014, with much more expected to be cashed in for the 2015 and 2016 tax years. SB 593 removes the prohibition on siting wind turbines near private airports. The number of private airports registered with the state since this prohibition was put into law had increased dramatically, as some property owners sought to prevent wind turbines from being placed near their land.

A bill that would make major changes to the way Oklahoma evaluates schools is headed to the Governor's desk for consideration after passing a final legislative hurdle this week in the Senate. HB 1693 deletes and modifies much of the controversial A-F grading system for schools, but continues to require an annual report by the State Board of Education that culminates in a single letter grade for each school.

Come in out of the rain and see us in the new Bennett Event Center at State Fair Park in OKC. The AFR staff will be on hand to visit with you from 9-5 Friday and 9-4 Saturday.