'Stop the theater': Oklahoma Senate, House leaders meet to discuss state budget holdup

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — On April 4, Fox 25 is learning more about the budget holdup between Oklahoma House and Senate leaders. Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat (R-Oklahoma City) and House Speaker Charles McCall (R-Atoka) spoke to news crews about the situation Thursday afternoon.

This all started Wednesday, which is when Treat announced that until the House sends over their budget, the Senate won't be hearing their bills.

"We still have the same position," Treat said Thursday. "I articulated it very clear to [McCall] that until we get their numbers, we can't move forward on any of the House Appropriations' bills. It would undercut our transparency initiative that we're absolutely committed to."

Treat says he met with McCall today, discussing things like how both chambers would fund teacher pay raises long-term.

"We feel like we made a public commitment that we would fund that pay raise on an ongoing basis. Not a commitment to any other pay raise in the future, or any previous pay raise. That is a disconnect point right now."

McCall says he will send treat a supplemental bill addressing that situation. He says if it passes next week, "Yeah, we're fine to share information."

McCall says despite the Senate deciding not to hear their bills, his chamber will continue to consider Senate legislation in committee.

"My hope is everybody will stop the theater," McCall said. "Keep that low."

According to McCall, Thursday was the first time he received direct communication from Treat about the hold.

"I think communication could be better, and I suggested that to him. I think some of the issues he expressed yesterday could have easily been resolved with a phone call ahead of time, or a text message."

McCall says he wants to have weekly meetings with Treat again to fix communication problems.