On Thursday, Oklahoma lawmakers concluded their legislative session by adjourning sine die, a Latin term indicating the end of their duties for the year. Notably, they completed the sole constitutional requirement by passing the budget one day ahead of schedule.

Bipartisan Praise and Disagreement on Budget Allocation

Republican representatives celebrated this year’s budget as a significant investment in various sectors, including career tech, infrastructure, higher education, and healthcare. Rep. Kevin Wallace emphasized the budget’s positive impact, highlighting a record savings estimate of $4.7 billion.

However, Democratic dissenters, including Rep. Forrest Bennett and Senator Julia Kirt, expressed reservations about the budget’s allocation. They criticized the significant allocation to savings while highlighting insufficient support for working families, childcare, and public education. Senator Kirt particularly emphasized the disparity between new public funding and private voucher money, lamenting the budget’s failure to adequately prioritize public education.

Record Investments vs. Calls for More Education Funding

Republican representatives countered Democratic criticism by asserting that the budget reflects record investments in education, citing plans to allocate the most funds in the state’s history to the Oklahoma education funding formula. Despite this, the debate over funding priorities remained a contentious issue between the parties.

Bipartisan Victory: Grocery Sales Tax Cut

Amidst the partisan discord over various budget items, both Republicans and Democrats found common ground in celebrating the bipartisan achievement of a grocery sales tax cut. Senator Kirt hailed this as a significant win, emphasizing its broad impact on citizens across the state.

Governor’s Decision Pending

With both chambers of the legislature approving the budget, the decision now rests with Governor Stitt. Despite previous assurances from the governor that he would not veto the budget bill, the final decision remains to be seen.

Conclusion: Next Steps Await Governor’s Approval

As Oklahoma awaits the governor’s decision on the passed budget, the state reflects on the bipartisan agreements and disagreements that shaped this year’s legislative session. While celebrations ensue over certain victories, the lingering debate over budget priorities underscores the ongoing challenges in meeting the diverse needs of the state’s residents. For more updates on local news and developments, download The Local News App for timely updates straight to your phone.

Source