Budget Briefing: Okies Could Get $3.5B in Affordable Care Act Subsidies

Middle-Class Oklahomans Could Receive $3.5 Billion in Subsidies Under Affordable Care Act – “Middle-class Oklahomans stand to receive $3.583 billion in subsidies for their health-insurance costs through the Affordable Care Act, a report from the Urban Institute shows. That is more than half of the 2013 Oklahoma state budget and more than 2 percent of the state’s gross domestic product for last year.” Tulsa World

Federal Law Limits Welfare Debit Card Use at Casinos, Strip Clubs – “Oklahoma joined at least seven states this year in allowing drug tests to disqualify welfare recipients, but a federal law taking effect in 2014 will go a step further, trying to prevent welfare dollars from being spent in casinos, liquor stores and strip clubs.” NewsOK.com

Regulators OK Settlement in Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. Rate Case – “State regulators on Monday signed off on a $4.3 million settlement that will result in most Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. customers paying less for their power.” NewsOK.com

Pork in the Agriculture Budget? – “A comparison of the Department of Agriculture’s budget to the prior year reveals an increase of $2 million for FY-2013 … I contacted the Department of Agriculture to ask about the purpose of this $2 million, and they said they were not aware of the exact purpose of the funds, but that they are to be given to a non-governmental entity. In private conversations, it has been said that the funds are for “[a non-governmental entity] that is having financial trouble.” Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Meridian’s Ability to Train Workers Key to Purchase – “Meridian Technology Center’s ability to train industrial workers probably did more to sway a Belgian aircraft component designer and manufacturer to locate in Stillwater than federal and state tax incentives.” Stillwater NewsPress