The Oklahoman
Members of the Oklahoma House and Senate had their first meeting of the new year Tuesday and immediately received warnings of tough budgetary times ahead.
A dramatic drop in the price of oil is reducing state revenue. Also, some of the nonrecurring funds used last budget cycle may not be available this time around. Finally, a 0.25 percent income tax reduction goes into effect in the middle of the next fiscal year.
The result is that lawmakers have an estimated $300 million, or 4.1 percent, less to spend on the new budget compared to the last one even as they face strong demands for more money for state workers, schools, prisons and health care.
“This will be a year that requires sacrifice from those who utilize the services that state government was initially intended to provide,” Rep. Jeff Hickman, R-Dacoma, told representatives after they re-elected him House speaker.
“Sacrifice from our state employees who provide those services, and sacrifice as we determine what programs are beyond our mission and must be ended because they are luxuries we can no longer afford at the expense of essential state services.”
With funding so tight this year, there is expected to be a renewed focus on examining the necessity of some of the $1.7 billion the state provides each year in tax credits, incentives and exemptions.
Stand aside or you will be trampled by the gadarene rush of state agency officials, education lobbyists, and related hangers-on, seeking to safeguard their sinecures.