Weekly Opinion Editorial
by Steve Fair
This week, the Oklahoma legislature passed a nearly $13 billion dollar state budget for fiscal year 2027- SB#1177. The budget is slightly more than last year. SB#1177 passed the House 76-18 (7 members didn't vote) and the Senate 28-17 (3 members didn't vote). It barely got the votes it needed in the Senate (25). Seven of the eight Democrats in the Senate voted no, joined by ten GOP state senators.
Oklahoma has a 'balanced budget' amendment in the state constitution, but the real goal of a state budget should be reduced government spending, rather than a balanced budget.
SB#1177 sets aside $200 million to create a permanent investment fund. Similar to the state's rainy-day fund, the fund's stated goal is to generate a reliable revenue stream to safeguard essential services during down economic trends.
House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, (R-Bristow) said: "This budget reflects our commitment to investing in Oklahoma’s future while remaining responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.” The budget includes teacher pay raises, increased funding for the Department of Mental Health and the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority.
First, Oklahomans are clearly overpaying their tax bill. Government never adjusts its budget down, like citizens have to.
Oklahoma taxpayers are struggling in these challenging economic times- higher prices on gas and food, but no increase in wages. Taxpayers have to live on less, but government never takes a hit, no matter the economic climate.
Instead of putting $200 million into an investment fund, return that money to the people it belongs to- the taxpayer who worked and earned it. Legislative leaders and the governor constantly talk about eliminating the state income tax. They devise clever schemes, hold marathon meetings, but no stratagem includes ever simply sending the money back to the taxpayer. When government holds in escrow the overpayment of tax dollars to avoid cuts during the 'hard times,' it's telling taxpayers government knows how to manage taxpayer money better than those who toiled for it. Refund the overpayment.
Second, politics makes for strange bedfellows. The Democrats who opposed the budget did so because they wanted the state to spend more money. The Republicans who voted no claim the budget is too big. An ancient proverb suggests two parties can work together against a common enemy- "the enemy of my enemy is my friend."
The GOP senators who voted no on the budget proposed a -4% cut across the board to all agencies, except education, mental health and health care, but were rebuffed by leadership. It is significant that 25% of GOP state senators opposed the budget. If those of like opinion are elected in November, they could partner with the Ds and make life difficult for senate leadership.
Third, passage of the state budget this early is unprecedented. It is the single most important thing the legislature does, but the budget has historically been the last thing done in a session. It is commendable Oklahoma Republicans (legislative and executive) have shown they can govern with a super majority. Perhaps they are embracing negotiated compromise. Negotiated compromise is when both sides want something, and they work together to find common ground, with each side giving up something to get to the desired result. Nah, they aren't going to change and work together, but citizens can always hope.
Passage of the budget sets up a possible scenario where Oklahoma lawmakers could end the legislative session before the 5 p.m. May 29 deadline. 2026 is an election year, and many GOP lawmakers would be thrilled to hit the campaign trail early. They can't wait to tell us how fiscally conservative they are.
OKLAHOMANS OVERPAYING THEIR TAX BILL!Click the headline to read this full article, OKLAHOMANS OVERPAYING THEIR TAX BILL!, at FAIR AND BIASED
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