Governor Signs Budget Bill
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signs state budget bill
By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Mary Fallin on Tuesday signed a bill creating a $7.1 billion state budget for fiscal year 2015.
The budget agreement calls for cuts to most state agencies, but does include some notable increases for areas such as an additional $80 million for common education. It also calls for pay raises for troopers, correctional workers and some of the most underpaid state workers.
“You have a larger general appropriations bill this year than last year and that is even given the $188 million less to spend,” said State Treasurer Ken Miller, who is a former House Appropriations and Budget Committee chairman.
Officials said from the onset of the session the state would have $188 million less to spend in crafting a new budget than what was available for the current fiscal year.
Miller said the increase is due largely to a heavy reliance on one-time funds.