Oklahoma Democratic leaders call for special session after cigarette fee struck down

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Democratic leaders of the Oklahoma Legislature are calling for a special session after the state Supreme Court ruled a cigarette tax unconstitutional.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled a $1.50 per pack "tobacco cessation fee" passed by the legislature to be unconstitutional. House Minority Leader, and gubernatorial candidate, Scott Inman said that Republicans and Governor Mary Fallin had failed the state.

"My caucus and I sounded every alarm bell we could to stop this from happening, yet here we are, just as we warned,” Inman said in a release.

The fee was expected to generate around $258 million. Inman is urging Gov. Fallin to call a special session to draft a budget plan.

"By coming together now and putting a plan in place, we can save precious time and taxpayer dollars to fix the mess that their failed leadership has put us in because of their failed policies to cut taxes for the wealthy and well-connected," Inman said.

Sen. John Sparks, leader of the Oklahoma Senate Democratic caucus, said the ruling came as no surprise.

“This kind of unconstitutional legislation is nothing new from the Republican leadership at the Capitol. Unfortunately, we are used to wasting money paying lawyers to defend their unconstitutional bills," Sparks said.

Sparks says that legislators need to approach a potential special session with "real plans" for revenue measures.

"This is the time for a plan of action, accountability and real results. This is what our constituents demand of us and what they deserve from us with no exceptions and no excuses," Sparks said.