Background
Yana Paskova / Getty Images
Oklahoma's Rainy Day Fund can be used for emergencies and to supplement the general budget.
Otherwise known as the Constitutional Reserve Fund, the Rainy Day Fund is a mandate of Oklahoma’s Constitution.
Depositing
Money is deposited into the Rainy Day Fund when revenue collections for a fiscal year exceed 100 percent of the state’s official estimate for that fiscal year.
The fund has a cap of 15 percent of the General Revenue Fund estimate for the prior fiscal year.
Withdrawing
If tax revenues are less that what’s been appropriated by the legislature, 3/8 of the Rainy Day Fund can be used for supplemental funding. Another 3/8 can be tapped if the state’s official estimate shows that the following fiscal year will bring in less than the current year.
Another 1/4 is available if the governor and 75 percent of the legislature declare a state of emergency.
In 2011, Oklahoma deposited $219 million into the Rainy Day Fund.
