Budget Briefing: Late Session Funding Flip-Flop for OKC Livestock Show Questioned

Lawmakers First Reject, Then Pass $2 Million for An Oklahoma City Livestock Show – “One lawmaker is questioning the constitutionality of the funding for the Oklahoma Youth Expo, the world’s largest junior livestock show, and whether the expo’s politically generous leadership played a role in the funding decision.” Tulsa World

‘Fracking’ Advocates Dominate Congressional Field Hearing – “Federal regulations on the oil and gas industry, particularly for hydraulic fracturing, are slowing a potential nationwide economic boom and keeping the country from gaining greater energy independence, Oklahoma producers told congressional leaders Friday.” Associated Press

Plan to Sell $25 Million in State Bonds for Arkansas River Dams Now Headed to Supreme Court – “The bonds – first approved by the Legislature in 2009 – have never been sold. In January, the state bond oversight council balked at efforts to sell the bonds, saying the nature of the project had changed since the Legislature OK’d the plan.” Tulsa World

Department of Corrections Trying to Come up With $2 Million for New Mandate – “Department of Corrections Director Justin Jones said his agency was not appropriated additional dollars for the increase in payments for private bed space, which were given effective July 1.” Tulsa World