Budget Briefing: OK Health Department Faces Federal Funding Cuts, Rural Firefighters Battling Budgets

Federal Budget Cuts Could Affect Oklahoma Health Department – “Oklahoma Health Commissioner Terry Cline said at Tuesday’s state Board of Health meeting that although nothing is official, he has been in discussion with federal leaders about potential budget cuts. The state Health Department could see up to a 10 percent reduction in federal money, he said.” NewsOK.com

Rural Fire Departments Struggle With Balancing Budgets – “After a couple of rough years for wildfires, some rural volunteer firefighters are concerned not only about fighting fires, but also budget battles. It’s been tough on Oklahoma’s rural firefighters and their equipment.” NewsOn6.com

Oklahoma Coffers Grow Despite Lost Energy Tax Revenue – “Despite Oklahoma natural gas companies paying a pittance in gross production taxes in June, the state closed the fiscal year with $405 million more in general revenue than in fiscal year 2011 and topped revenue predictions for the year.” NewsOK.com

Record $306.8 Million Rainy Day Fund Deposit Set – “Sales tax revenue climbed by 13.1 percent in June over the previous year as Oklahoma closed out Fiscal Year 2012 collections to the General Revenue Fund with enough money to make a record $306.8 million deposit into the state’s Rainy Day Fund, Secretary of Finance Preston Doerflinger announced Tuesday.” Office of State Finance

Officials Hope ASCO Just the Start of Regional Aerospace Growth – “State and local officials are hopeful that a recent announcement of a new aerospace manufacturing facility will be the start of high tech growth for Stillwater and the region.” Stillwater NewsPress