Budget Briefing: 80 Cities and Towns Forfeit Fuel Taxes for Not Filing Audit Reports

Oklahoma Cities, Towns Forfeit State Fuel Taxes for Failing to File Audit Reports – “Nearly 80 Oklahoma cities and towns are paying a price for failing to file their annual financial audit reports from two years ago. More than $90,000 in gasoline excise taxes will be forfeited by the cities and towns, the state auditor and inspector’s office said Monday.” NewsOK.com

World, Oklahoma Business Travel Up, U.S. Down Slightly – “And, while U.S. business travel spending has not returned to pre-recession levels, business travel spending in Oklahoma has increased significantly on the strength of the energy, construction and manufacturing sectors, officials said.” Tulsa World

State Malpractice Judgments at 10-Year Low – “”It appears to me lawsuit reform is already delivering what it promised,” said Secretary of State Glenn Coffee, who as a state senator was one of the leaders of efforts to control rising medical costs by restraining malpractice suits. “I believe these positive signs will grow with time. This news will certainly help Oklahoma retain and recruit physicians.” Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=336&articleid=20120731_16_A9_Tenmef134018&rss_lnk=1″ Tulsa World

OKC Officials Tout Boost in Tax Revenues – ““Growth has been strong this fiscal year for the hotel-motel industry,” City Manager Jim Couch said in a memo to City Council members for presentation Tuesday. “Tourists have flocked to Oklahoma City for sporting events like the NBA playoffs and finals as well as the NCAA Women’s Softball College World Series, which had record attendance for the second straight year.” The Journal Record