Budget Briefing: $6.8 Billion Budget Deal on Governor’s Desk Four Hours After it Was Rejected

Budget news from around Oklahoma:

Budget Bill Wins Approval in Oklahoma House – “Four hours after voting it down, the Oklahoma House reversed itself Thursday and approved the $6.8 billion budget bill to pay for state government to operate in the upcoming fiscal year. The reversal averted a special session.” NewsOK.com

Oklahoma Regents Chairwoman: Flat Higher Education Funding Could Spell Tuition Increases – “Board Chairwoman Julie Carson said a budget bill that doesn’t offset rising mandatory expenses means colleges and universities will likely have to shift those costs to students in the form of tuition increases.” NewsOK.com

A Third of Oklahoma Schools’ Textbook Money ($11.5 Million) to be Used for Education Department – “State Superintendent Janet Barresi will apparently use $11.5 million of the $33 million that school districts were expecting for textbooks to cover a shortage in the Education Department’s budget.” Tulsa World

Oklahoma House Proposes Amendment for $50 Million Property Tax Reduction – “The House of Representatives passed and sent to the governor on Thursday a proposed constitutional amendment that amounts to a $50 million property tax reduction for the state’s utilities, airlines and railroads.” Tulsa World

Oklahoma City’s Pledge to Help Indian Museum May be on Hold – “Oklahoma City is off the hook, at least for now, for its pledge of $9 million to complete construction of the half-finished American Indian Cultural Center and Museum near Interstates 40 and 35 downtown.” NewsOK.com