We’re nearing the end of the legislative session. A budget agreement was reached and is awaiting Gov. Stitt’s approval. With everything going on, the budget turned out better than expected with minimal cuts to state agencies even though we’re facing a $1.3 billion budget shortfall in the upcoming fiscal year. The budget protects core state services like education and public safety.
Being a balanced budget state, we’re constitutionally required to appropriate only as much as is certified by the State Board of Equalization. After researching the state’s economy and incoming revenue, the board authorized a $7.7 billion budget, which is one of the highest in state history.
You can read the budget (SB 1922) in its entirety on the Senate website at www.oksenate.gov under Legislation.
Given that Oklahoma has received more than $1.25 billion through the federal CARES Act, Gov. Stitt has the ability to help state agencies further as he decides how to appropriate the state’s portion of the relief funds. Last session, the legislature also gave the governor direct authority over certain state agencies, which will allow him to control their use of state funds. Just as the legislature has worked to improve fiscal transparency and efficiency, so now can the governor for those agencies under his purview.
Another way we can better protect our state agencies and services is by increasing our state’s census participation rates. We’re falling further and further behind the rest of the nation. We currently have the 44th worst participation rate, which may not seem important but could result in our state losing out on billions of dollars in federal funding for education, healthcare, public safety and other government services over the next decade. This is a big deal, folks.
Our state’s economy is already struggling with low energy prices and COVID-19. If we don’t receive the federal funding needed to support certain government services, those services will have to be reduced or cut altogether.
The census helps the federal government determine a state’s population and federal funding is determined by that population. If you don’t participate, your portion of federal dollars (which is about $1,800 per year per person) will be given to another state. It’s estimated that if Oklahoma’s population is undercounted by just two percent, the state will miss out on $1.8 billion over the next ten years.
Right now, only 60 percent of Oklahomans have turned in their census forms. Do the math. Please be counted. It’s roughly ten questions basically to figure out how many people are living in your home. There are no intrusive questions that will invade your privacy in any way. It takes less than five minutes to fill it out but will get our state billions in federal funding for services we all depend on.
You can fill out the paper form you received in the mail. You can answer the questionnaire online at www.2020Census. gov. You can also call the free hotline at 1-844-330- 2020. Please, Oklahoma needs you to be counted!
In closing, it has been my honor to carry some of the governor’s executive nominations to various boards and commissions.
The Senate confirmed Lisa Greenlee of Altus to the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority to serve a seven-year term ending June 30, 2026. She will succeed Garrett King.
Rick Vernon of Olustee was also reconfirmed to the Board of Regents of Western Oklahoma State College to serve another seven-year term ending March 24, 2027.
Our chamber also approved the nomination of Richard Henry, D.D.S. of Altus to the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority to serve a four-year term ending June 30, 2023.
It was also a special honor to carry my predecessor and our former Senate Pro Tem Mike Schulz’ nomination to the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority. He will serve a four-year term ending June 30, 2023. He has been a faithful public servant to western Oklahoma and will continue to do great things in this new role.
I know all of these individuals will represent western Oklahoma proudly and be great assets to these boards.
If you have any questions or concerns about legislative matters, please contact me. You can reach me at Brent.Howard@ oksenate.gov, by calling (405) 521-5612 or writing to Senator Brent Howard, State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. Room 536, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105.
Sen. Brent Howard represents District 38 in the Oklahoma State Senate.