More than $150 million is going back to state agencies and the books are closed on Fiscal Year 2016 for the State of Oklahoma. The money is left over from the revenue failure cuts during the previous fiscal year. Across the board cuts of seven percent affected agencies, however, the cuts were too deep.
Sixty-two agencies will receive their share of $140.8 million. The Department of Transportation will receive $11.4 million in other revenues.
“This action closes out the 2016 fiscal year and gives agencies available funds to help with budget challenges,” said Governor Mary Fallin. “Although I preferred that legislators would have returned in special session to send more of this money to agencies with the most pressing needs, such as the education, public safety, health, mental health and corrections departments, I’m glad this will provide some relief. Those agencies are among the ones receiving the largest share of this money to either restore services or stave off additional cuts.”
The funds can be used for the same purpose for which the Legislature allotted them. If agencies want to use the money in a different way, they must first follow budget revision procedures.
The left over money became a cause of a bit of political drama as Governor Fallin considered a special session to reassign the money for teacher raises. Resistance to the idea was felt and it was decided to return the money back to the agencies.
