Budget Briefing: Oklahoma and its Capital City Have Extra Spending Money

Additional $29 Million Approved for State Spending – “The Board of Equalization on Monday certified nearly $29 million in additional money available for spending. The panel approved a legislative appropriations authority of $5.4 billion, which includes $28.7 million in additional funds stemming from legislative changes during the past session.” Tulsa World

Oklahoma City Council Faces Choice With Projected $1.3 Million Surplus – “Oklahoma City Council members expect to have an extra $1.3 million to spend on top of the $952 million city budget for next year that they approved last week. But will the extra money go to Sunday bus service, more police officers or something else?” NewsOK.com

State Budget Stirs Political Debate – “State Senate District 41 hopeful Paul Blair said one thing in Oklahoma stays the same regardless of whether the state has a Republican- or Democrat-controlled Legislature. The $6.8 billion state budget approved in May for 2013 included $321 million in increased spending, Blair said. ‘Government spending increases and government grows,’ Blair complained.” The Edmond Sun