If HJR1031 is passed, it will significantly alter the process through which state questions are voted on in Oklahoma, particularly those that involve financial implications. By requiring a supermajority vote for any measure that involves increased spending, including legislative referrals and initiatives, it could lead to a higher threshold for enacting such proposals. This change may discourage the introduction of measures perceived to require increased funding, thereby potentially limiting the scope of legislative and public initiatives aimed at expanding state services or making significant policy changes.
Summary
HJR1031 is a proposed Joint Resolution aiming to amend the Oklahoma Constitution by adding a new Section 33A to Article V. This amendment seeks to impose a supermajority requirement for any state question that would increase expenditures of state government branches. Specifically, it establishes that such questions must receive at least sixty percent approval from voters in order to be enacted. The resolution outlines procedural steps for verifying whether a proposed measure would increase state expenditures and mandates specific wording for the ballot titles based on this determination.
Contention
The proposed amendment may generate substantial debate among lawmakers and the public, primarily due to its financial implications and the presumed difficulty in gathering a supermajority. Proponents of HJR1031 argue that it is a necessary step to ensure fiscal responsibility and prevent unnecessary expansions of government spending. Conversely, opponents may view this as an attempt to weaken the ability of citizens to influence state policy through direct democracy, particularly regarding initiatives that address important social issues which may require funding increases. The resolution's requirement for specific ballot title wording by the State Auditor further adds a layer of bureaucratic oversight that can be contentious.
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