Gov. Kevin Stitt on Thursday signed budget bills that will keep state government funded through April and he accused leadership in the state House of “playing Washington, D.C., politics.”
April 8, 2020: Stitt wants 1-2% cuts. Legislators say reserves are enough, push him to sign bills: ‘The public needs its services’ (Tulsa World)
Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday said he is supporting up to 2% cuts to agencies for the current and next fiscal year as the state’s economy struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic.
March 31, 2020: Savings and stimulus could mitigate Oklahoma revenue failure, shortfall (NonDoc)
The gurgling global oil market plus other economic slowdowns attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic will result in a roughly $219 million revenue failure for Oklahoma’s current fiscal year and an estimated $450 million revenue shortfall for next year’s state budget, according to legislative appropriation leaders.
March 30, 2020: ‘It’s going to be tough’: State’s revenue taking huge hit by low oil prices (Tulsa World)
With oil prices plunging, Oklahoma is losing $27 million per month compared to five weeks ago in energy production taxes alone, an expert said. “It’s going to be tough,” said Tom Seng, director of the School of Energy Economics, Policy and Commerce at the University of Tulsa.
May 21, 2019: Senate approves state budget (Oklahoma State Senate)
The Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday gave final approval to the state budget, which includes huge investments in public school classrooms, a teacher and state employee pay raise, as well as significant investments in criminal justice reforms all while saving $200 million.
The Fiscal Year 2020 budget bill, House Bill 2765, passed on a 37-11 vote…
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May 15, 2019: Governor, Senate, and House leadership announce FY 2020 Budget Deal (Oklahoma State Senate)
Governor Kevin Stitt, House Speaker Charles McCall, and Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat announced on Wednesday the Fiscal Year 2020 budget deal.
“This year’s budget is historic. Holding firm to my commitment of no new taxes, we will put away $200 million more in savings while also increasing the state’s investment in core services by . . .
May 14, 2019: Oklahoma budget negotiations heat up
The Oklahoma Senate is the odd man out in state budget negotiations.
Gov. Kevin Stitt and House Speaker Charles McCall agree on a spending plan for fiscal year 2020, but Senate Republicans have introduced their own spending plan that mainly differs on funding for education and pay raises for state employees…
May 10, 2019: Oklahoma Senate supports $1,200 teacher pay bump; budget compromise appears close (Oklahoman)
Gov. Kevin Stitt expects teachers and public education advocates will be pleased when they see the finalized state budget for the next fiscal year that could emerge as early as next week.
Stitt, in a news conference Thursday, said he’s holding firm to his commitment to offer $1,200 across-the-board pay raises to Oklahoma teachers…
May 9, 2019: Mazzei confirmation hearing turns into budget showdown (Tulsa World)
The Senate confirmation hearing for Gov. Kevin Stitt’s pick for budget secretary turned into a showdown Wednesday over the budget and other issues.
At one point, Senate Appropriations Chairman Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, gaveled down budget secretary nominee Mike Mazzei…
April 21, 2019: Point of View: Working on Oklahoma education funding (Oklahoman)
We’re getting close to the end of the legislative session, and we’re in the final stages of state budget negotiations. As chairman of the Education Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee, it’s been my job to help prioritize spending for common education, higher education and CareerTech as well as other areas under the education umbrella.
My . . .