After months of work, the Senate, House and Gov. Kevin Stitt have reached an agreement on a budget proposal to fund state government for the fiscal year that begins in July. As Senate Appropriations Chairman, I’ve been working with my House counterpart and my fiscal team for more than six months on this fiscally responsible spending plan. Every dollar in this spending plan reflects the needs and priorities of Oklahomans.
This proposal keeps overall spending in check by holding most agency funding relatively flat. Approximately 82% of new funding is earmarked for core priorities such as education, water infrastructure and health care. The State Department of Education will receive a $232 million funding increase, which includes about $80 million for early childhood literacy and numeracy initiatives to ensure all students build strong reading and math skills. The budget also funds $2,000 pay raises for our hardworking teachers and covers their increasing benefit costs. These education initiatives would be funded through the state’s General Revenue Fund and would not affect the Teachers’ Retirement System in any way. After a successful three-year pilot program, school security funding for every district will become a permanent line item in the state budget because no parent should have to worry about their child’s safety when they send them to school.
The budget also provides cost-of-living adjustments for retirees who have been hit hard by inflation. This includes retired teachers, police officers, firefighters, public employees and judges. This budget also includes reforms to the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System to benefit retirees. Current state employees will see a 50% increase in their annual longevity payment, which is like a bonus that’s based on their years of service to the state. State government is Oklahoma’s largest employer, and these dedicated employees work hard to serve our taxpayers.
One of my budget priorities this year was increasing funding for local water infrastructure projects because all Oklahomans deserve clean water. This budget includes $35 million for low-interest loans to help communities address a growing backlog of water projects. Another $10 million in Rural Economic Action Plan grants will support water projects in smaller communities, along with $2 million to help consolidate some water districts. Another $2.5 million will go toward eradicating invasive red cedar trees, which drain millions of gallons of water and intensify wildfires.
Unlike Congress, the Legislature must pass a balanced budget each year. In fact, this is our one constitutionally required duty each legislative session. This budget accomplishes that task while also making targeted investments in Oklahoma’s future. I’m proud of the work that’s gone into this budget and look forward to getting it across the finish line.
As always, it’s an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Senate District 20.
Please feel free to contact my Capitol office with any questions or concerns you may have about legislation or other issues impacting our state at 405-5215628 or Chuck.Hall@oksenate.gov.