Second session comes to close this week

The second session of the 58thLegislature will come to a close on May 27. The largest and most comprehensive budget in state history is now on Governor Stitt’s desk awaiting his approval. The $9.7 billion FY’23 budget increases funding to a majority of our state agencies; protects core state government services; makes critical investments in law enforcement and public health, and better supports our veterans and active military members. It also boosts state savings to a historic $2.6 billion to protect our state agencies and services from a possible recession or any other economic downturns or natural disasters.

I’m excited that our public safety agencies will receive substantial budget increases, including the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control (OBNDDC), the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET). This was necessary to provide well-deserved and long overdue pay increases for our Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) Troopers and OSBI agents. The OHP is currently 400 troopers down and this will help recruit more brave men and women to keep our roadways safe. Salary bumps will also be provided to DPS dispatchers and officers at the Capitol, CLEET-certified state park rangers, law enforcement officers in the attorney general’s (AG) office and other state agencies. The additional monies will also provide additional law enforcement training and academies, enhance enforcement of the medical marijuana industry, create a human trafficking division in the AG’s office, and ensure our brave law enforcement personnel and their families have better access to mental health support and resources.

Our hardworking Oklahoma families will also get a $75 or $150 rebate in December depending on how they file their taxes. This will help as we all continue to deal with record inflation on groceries and other products and services. Also, if you’re in the market for a new vehicle or tractor trailer, you’ll want to wait until July 1 when the 1.25% motor vehicle excise tax will be eliminated, saving Oklahomans money on these large purchases.

The budget has several aspects that will greatly benefit rural Oklahoma. The Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) program got a huge boost of nearly $15 million bringing its total FY’23 budget to $30 million. These grants help rural towns of 7,000 or less with critical water and infrastructure projects, and to improve rural health care and telecommunications services, among other needs. Additional funds will also be provided for rural fire departments and economic development programs, like the new Progressing Rural Economic Prosperity Fund, which is getting $250 million.

We’re also making major investments to improve public health around the state. The budget includes $32.5 million to eliminate the state’s 13-year waiting list for developmental disability services, which will positively impact some 5,000 Oklahomans. This appropriation to the Department of Human Services (DHS) includes a much-needed 25% increase to reimbursement rates for service providers. Our public safety employees aren’t the only ones in line for a pay raise - our state public health workers are also getting salary increases. We’re also investing in nursing programs to address our state’s critical healthcare staff shortage and increasing mental health provider rates and access to acute behavioral health for children.

On Friday, we also approved the last of the governor’s nearly 150 executive nominations, which was for Cabinet Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs, John Nash of Edmond. I know he will serve our state’s wonderful veterans and military community well.  We’ll talk more about the budget and special session next time.

Thank you again for the privilege of serving our district and the State of Oklahoma in the Senate. If I can be of any assistance, you can reach me at (405) 521-5563 or Chris.Kidd@oksenate.gov.