Budget Briefing: Rate Increase Means $1 More on Most ONG Bills

Regulators Approve Rate Increase for Oklahoma Natural Gas – “Most Oklahoma Natural Gas customers will see higher monthly service charges on their bills under a $9.5 million rate increase approved Thursday by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.” NewsOK.com

Cherokee Leaders Meet with President Obama – “The court determined in a 5-4 vote the United States must pay back money owed to the tribes after both governments created a contract that asked the tribes to provide government services to their people in return for financial assistance from the federal government, according to the court opinion. The Cherokee Nation stands to gain about $40 million to $50 million from this decision; the visit was about making sure the government pays quickly and how the tribe will be allowed to use the money …” Tulsa World

Agriculture Secretary Urged to Halt Funding of OKC Youth Livestock Show – “A state lawmaker called Thursday for Agriculture Commissioner Jim Reese to block $2 million in state funding from going to a private Oklahoma City youth livestock show, saying an expensive lawsuit is likely otherwise.” Tulsa World

Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission Votes Against Closing Lake Murray State Park Airport – “Their concerns included giving up the ability to accept $150,000 in federal money each year, in the form of non-primary entitlement funds, that can be transferred to other airports. Roughly $1 million has been received since 2001, not including $600,000 in the bank that probably will be transferred next year. In addition, the airport has accepted nearly $184,000 in grants from the FAA since 2002, after agreeing to keep the airport open for at least 20 years. The most recent was in 2007. If the contract terms aren’t met, it’s likely the grant money would have to be repaid.” NewsOK.com