On Tuesday, the State Board of Equalization announced that the Legislature will receive about $8.2 billion to spend on the upcoming budget.
Overall, this is a relatively flat budget year. We had approximately the same amount of money appropriated last year due to some one-time funds left over from last year, so we don’t anticipate having to cut any services.
However, we are exercising caution as we begin to draft a state spending plan that recognizes our needs and plans for the future while being good stewards of the tax dollars entrusted to us by the people of Oklahoma.
The one job explicitly outlined for the Legislature by the Oklahoma Constitution is to draft and approve a budget for the next fiscal year by the end of our legislative session in May. The state budget covers 12 months and begins July 1.
We start talking about the new budget long before session even begins. As a rural Oklahoman myself, one of my top priorities is how we can allocate money toward projects that support the rural areas in our state.
Our rural communities are the life blood of Oklahoma, and it’s important that we make sure rural areas maintain their prominent role in our state. Last year, the Legislature reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the people in our rural areas. A portion of our budget was specifically geared to benefit rural Oklahoma.
Part of the budget last year fully funded the Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation’s 8-year plan, a comprehensive plan to repair our state’s collapsing and worn-down roads and bridges. While the construction may be a headache to navigate right now, the updated roads and bridges will bring new people to our rural towns and lower the chances of potholes damaging your car!
The House is considering additional legislation to directly help rural Oklahomans, including House Bill 4028 by Speaker Charles McCall, which would help rural roads with high traffic volume receive funding for repairs faster.
Additionally, with a looming state question vote and the Governor’s proposed SoonerCare 2.0 plan, we’re also considering how we can use a portion of our budget to improve health outcomes in rural Oklahoma. Improving our health outcomes will take multiple avenues, and one that the House is discussing right now would focus on recruiting quality health care professionals to rural Oklahoma.
The people of rural Oklahoma are a huge part of what makes Oklahoma such a great state, and the Legislature is doing all we can to make sure our rural communities are supported and can maintain their prominent place in our state.
As always, please reach out to my office if you plan to visit the Capitol or with policy questions. Thank you for allowing me to represent District 65!
Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, a Republican, represents District 65 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes Caddo, Comanche, Cotton, Grady and Stephens Counties.