Oklahoma Democrats Reject Gov. Stitt Education Funding Plan Amid Tribal Gaming Dispute
Posted on: February 5, 2020, 08:03h.
Last updated on: February 5, 2020, 11:00h.
Oklahoma Democrats are firing back at Governor Kevin Stitt’s (R) plan to continue funding public education during his ongoing battle with the state’s Native American casino operators.
During his State of the State address this week, Stitt called on lawmakers to pass legislation that would allow him to use $100 million in state reserves. The action would be active while the dispute over whether the tribes should be required to share more of their gambling revenue is contested in federal court.
While we wait for the federal court’s decision, I am calling for the Legislature to join me in protecting public education. I am asking for legislation that will allow the remaining cash balance from 2019 and funds from the Revenue Stabilization Fund to be leveraged, if needed, to compensate for any temporary pause in Class III gaming fees,” Stitt explained.
The Republican governor, who himself is a member of the powerful Cherokee Nation, believes the state’s more than 30 tribal Class III gaming compacts expired January 1.
OK Dems Say No
Oklahoma’s tribal casinos presently share between four and six percent of their slot win with the state, the final rate dependent on their overall gross gaming revenue (GGR) generated by the machines. The tribes additionally give 10 percent of their table game win to Oklahoma City.
Stitt says the Class III gaming compacts expired after 15 years on January 1. The Native Americans argue the contracts automatically renewed. Stitt wants the tribes to negotiate new terms, and has set a minimum 25 percent of their slot haul as his starting point.
Oklahoma Democrats say Stitt is fighting a battle he has no legal grounds on which to stand. And they believe he should have found a better way to continue funding public education without using state reserves.
“Governor, you should have thought about that when you picked an unwinnable fight over the summer,” House Minority Leader Rep. Emily Virgin (D-Norman) said in the Democratic response to his State of the State. “You knew this money went to education; you knew that you were going to be putting it into jeopardy.”
Tribes say they will continue sending their gaming payments to the capital. But Stitt plans to reject the checks until the legal challenge is resolved.
“We have gotten to the point with discussions with the tribes that we never meant to get to,” Senate Minority Leader Kay Floyd (D-Oklahoma City) said. “This has gone way too far.”
Money at Stake
Oklahoma collected $138.59 million last year from tribal gaming revenue shares. Of the tax money, 88 percent is earmarked for the state’s Education Reform Revolving Fund.
While there are more than 30 tribes in the Sooner State operating Class III gaming, a handful of Native American groups are responsible for the lion’s share of GGR.
FY2018 Gaming Share
- Chickasaw Nation: $47.87 million
- Choctaw Nation: $26.27 million
- Cherokee Nation: $16.51 million
- Muscogee Nation: $9.7 million
- Osage Nation: $5.88 million
Between 2005-2018, the tribes were responsible for more than $1.22 billion in public education funding. They’ve also contributed more than $167.4 million to the state’s General Revenue Fund, and $3.35 million to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
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The Republicon's( past 40 years) have erased taxes for the fossil fuel industry, big corporations, etc. In the mean time our schools are crumbling( literally and figurativly). Before gaming and until present time the taxes ( sales property, etc.) continue to be laid at the feet of people who barely make ends meet. The gaming revenue has been a great help to public education and have paid a fair amount. What we need is taxation increased and funded by the large corporations, fossil fuel corporations that have been raping and pillaging our state without paying a dime in taxes.
I find it laughable that we are last in Educational funding out of 50 states . The people in charge of that money have feathered their own nest ... at one time they called this fund mismanaged and worth less than it was to begin with... ... Oklahoma like all governments seem to be Run by Dishonest, greedy people... I hope the Native Americans keep their money it certainly has not helped Oklahoma Education after it goes through the government sifters...
Where is the funding from the medical marijuana taxes and fees?!?! This shouldn't even be an issue anymore!!!
So I guess we NATIVES are expected to bail out THE GREAT STATE OF OKLAHOMA! I SAY WE SHOULD SHUT EVERYTHING DOWN,EVERTHING, IT WOULD BE A SHAME & WOULD HURT TRIBAL & NON TRIBAL MEMBERS BUT SOMETIMES, THIS HAS TO BE DONE! IT WOULD BE GOOD IN THE LONG RUN. TRIBES ARE THE BIGGEST EMPLOYER, IN THE STATE! THEY NEED TO GO AFTER BIG OIL COMPANIES & BIG BUSINESSES, THAT PAY NO TAXES,OR VERY LITTLE! THE TRIBES MUST BE AUDITED EVERY YEAR, SO WHAT ABOUT THE STATE? I LOVE OKLAHOMA,& THE PEOPLE IN IT, BUT WE PAY STATE TAXES, & stitt, WANTS TO ADD ON A 25% TAX, TO NATIVE AMERICANS, ON TOP OF WHAT WE PAY IN TO THE STATE! I CALL IT WHAT IT IS, SO HE NEEDS TO RAISE STATE TAXES FOR NON NATIVES! THIS IS CRAZY, THE LAND OKLAHOMA, WE WERE FORCED TO COME HERE & THEN BOOM, IT WAS TAKEN FROM US!!! YES THATS THE PAST, BUT AS A MEMBER OF THE TRIBE, THIS IS NO DIFFERENT THAN WHAT stitt, IS DOING!! WE'VE GOT A GREAT STATE & I AM VERY PROUD TO LIVE HERE & I LOVE ALL THE PEOPLE, BUT THIS IS DISGRACEFUL! HE THREATENED HE'D BRING IN OUTSIDE GAMING AND HE SAID THEY WOULD PAY 18%, BUT HE WANTS TRIBES TO PAY 25% DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT TO ME! SMFH! THIS IS SICKENING!!!
I would like to know exactly how the "more than $1.22 billion in public education funding" was distributed? The state of our public school system does not represent a well spent BILLION.
When the tribes went into Gaming the tribal gaming revenue was to be used for education. In addition to what tribes paid to the State some tribes have paid direct to schools within their jurisdiction funds to enhance public education. No where has these direct donations from tribes mentioned anywhere. The State of Oklahoma budget has been in a deficit for a long time. It's not the tribes responsibility to bail out the State. Look into the oil field operations.
This is what happens when you have a governor who has a total lack of respect of the Native people in his OWN state. His ship of being re-elected has sailed off with him playing in the sand of ignorance.
The tribes, over the years have contributed much more than money to the State. Jobs, medical care, hospitals for all Americans roads, rural and main roads. Governor Stith needs to rethink his proposals for the tribes..this could end badly for the State.
I say No to using money from the rainy day fund. Should of thought of that before you started your crap! So how’s it going to look if tribes decide to close down? How are you going to feel when unemployment goes up or when communities lose funding? The list goes on an on!
Stitt is an idiot.
Great article. Stitt speaks with a forked tongue. He isn't concerned that his lawsuit divides the state. A Governor who emulates President Trump's behavior puts the United Tribes in a position of defense. Can one blame them? Greed.
Does the Governor just not really understand the terms of the compact? He needs someone to explain it to him! He has made the worst decision ever to fight with the tribes of Oklahoma - a fight that he can't win!