Latest news with #LonniePaxton
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
$12.59 billion Oklahoma budget bill heads to governor's desk
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Oklahoma's $12.59 billion state budget bill for Fiscal Year 2026, House Bill 2766, is headed to the governor's desk for final approval after securing Senate approval on Thursday afternoon. The latest budget bill, which passed in the Senate with a vote of 27 to 19, includes $312 million for the purchase of the Lawton Correction Facility from GEO Group and $27.4 million in supplemental funds for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Lawmakers agree on Oklahoma budget, could see income tax cut Here are some of the most notable budget changes listed in the FY26 appropriations summary: Department of Education: +$121.6 million (+3.15%) Oklahoma Educational Television Authority: -$2.9 million (-49.1%) Oklahoma Teacher's Retirement System: -$15.6 million (-3.21%) Oklahoma Tax Commission: -$51 million (-59.88%) Oklahoma Military Department: +$20.4 million (+89.91%) Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics: -$45.4 million (-63.06%) Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: +$16.2 million (+4.18%) Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority: -$4.3 million (-10.19%) Department of Veterans Affairs: -$4.1 million (-9.21%) Department of Agriculture: -$16.1 million (-21.96%) A full appropriations summary of the FY26 budget can be found here. Several state lawmakers weighed in following the passing of the budget bill. This budget is a reflection of Oklahoma's values—responsible, conservative, and focused on real results. We're prioritizing core services like education, mental health, public safety and infrastructure, while maintaining strong fiscal discipline. I'm proud of the Senate's work and the collaboration with our House colleagues to deliver a budget that supports families, strengthens communities and keeps Oklahoma taxpayers in mind. Now we send it to the governor's desk to move Oklahoma forward. Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) This budget is a result of thoughtful collaboration between the House and Senate, and I am proud of the way we came together to put Oklahomans first. We've ensured strong investments in our students, state services and economic developments while keeping government spending restrained. This budget serves the needs of today while protecting the interests of future generations. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow) Oklahoma Senate Democrats will always work the aisle to address real problems facing our state, ensuring all kids get a great education, access to health and mental health care, and great-paying jobs. But instead, we got a budget that prioritizes tax cuts that mostly benefit the very rich, more money for private school vouchers, and does nothing to address the everyday issues Oklahomans face. You deserve better. Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt (D-Oklahoma City) A thriving economy depends on a well-educated workforce, but once again, our public schools have been left behind while unaccountable voucher programs grow unchecked. When it comes to the budget, public education should be our highest priority. At a time when our schools continue to face a crisis in teacher shortages, we've not included so much as a cost-of-living increase while hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars continue to fund private schools. This budget fails our schools, our students, and our communities. Senator Carri Hicks (D-Oklahoma City) Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oklahoma Republicans leaders are cheering their budget deal, but who does it really help?
Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, and House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, shake hands during an announcement of a 2026 budget deal on May 14 at the state Capitol. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) Judging by all the backpatting we witnessed last week, Oklahoma's Republican legislative leaders want us to believe their latest budget deal will make our state a beacon of prosperity . In reality, it feels a lot like the opposite. It appears Oklahomans ended up with a budget agreement negotiated behind closed doors by a small group of influential lawmakers and lobbyists that got their hearts' desires at our expense. And, it appears this is a budget that has been crafted in a vacuum by people completely oblivious to the giant pile of flaming dog doo that Congress appears poised to leave on our doorstep. (Maybe that fire is the light from the previously mentioned beacon.) I couch this all with 'appears' because 99.99% of us have no idea how Oklahoma's budget was created. Last year, Oklahomans for the first time were able to watch budget negotiations play out in real time during a series of public hearings. While those conversations at times were as dull as watching paint dry, they really helped the public — including the media — understand how the deal was reached. And, they helped curtail lobbyists' influence. Unfortunately, the House and Senate legislative leaders who championed that strategy termed out or lost reelection. They were replaced by new leaders who, disappointingly, decided to scrap that process and largely revert to conducting budget talks in meetings that aren't publicly accessible. So we don't know why – after years of resistance – that this is the year lawmakers chose to bow to Gov. Kevin Stitt's pressure to cut the state's income tax. The expected impact of the 0.25% cut on state coffers varies greatly depending on who you ask. The timing is a headscratcher because Congress is planning cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP or food stamps, that could require states like ours to foot the difference. Not to mention that pesky inflation that while slowing has not disappeared. That $3.5 billion that lawmakers are bragging about having in savings isn't going to last long if the federal government decides to require our state to pay for federal programs that help low-income residents. Ours is the sixth poorest state after all. I don't understand why our Legislature doesn't want to wait until the dust settles in D.C. before making tax cuts. After all, to raise taxes requires a supermajority legislative vote or a vote of the people. Maybe lawmakers are focused on political points for the moment. But cutting taxes now could leave future Legislatures in a precarious financial position. It wasn't long ago that Oklahoma lawmakers cut taxes and then had to plug a $1 billion shortfall. During that time, in 2018, they had to cut services and even had to raise taxes on gas and diesel, cigarettes and gross production. I'd rather any savings from Stitt's tax cut be invested in fixing our pothole-ridden public roadways or boosting teacher salaries so we can get more qualified educators in our classrooms. Or perhaps we could invest it in growing other state agencies' budgets. Most of those will remain flat next year, which would be great, except for the fact that everything is getting more expensive. That means they're getting cut. Lawmakers increased public school funding by $25 million, but allocated double that in new money to private schools, which serve only a small fraction of school children. In exchange for that $25 million, public schools will be required to add an instructional day to their school calendar, which will pretty much eliminate any financial benefit from that windfall. Private schools face no such requirement. But even beyond that, this budget inexplicably contains over $750 million in special interest projects. Instead of requiring the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University to fundraise to feed their ambitions, lawmakers think taxpayers should foot the $200 million bill to build OU's new pediatric heart hospital and spend $250 million so OSU can improve its College of Veterinary Medicine. Taxpayers are being asked to subsidize those projects at the same time our state's CareerTech is slated to see its budget reduced by about 8.8%, or by over $17 million. CareerTech is an entity that provides career and technical training to over 520,000 Oklahomans each year, preparing them to work in many of our professions that don't require a traditional college degree, but face critical shortages. Health care would be one of those. Maybe we should fund that and our other core government services adequately before spending $312 million to buy a private prison in Lawton. That purchase sounds like a terrible investment for a state whose voters have signaled at the ballot box that they want to reduce our state's incarceration rates. There wouldn't be a need to buy more prisons if lawmakers are taking that missive seriously. Most years these budget agreements sail through the Legislature, but there are plenty of new faces in the Capitol this year that have proven that they're not afraid to challenge the status quo. No budget agreement should ever be a done deal without giving Oklahomans time to weigh in. Like all budgets, it will still need to clear the committee process, be voted on by both chambers and be acted upon by Stitt. Lawmakers have until 5 p.m. May 30 to pass one. So here's hoping that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle take the time to listen to their constituents and that they're thinking critically about whether all the components of this budget along with the proposed tax cut best position our state for success in future years. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Democrats raise alarm over cutting Oklahoma taxes amid D.C. budgetary uncertainty
Gov. Kevin Stitt announces a budget deal for the 2026 fiscal year on May 14, 2025. Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, left, and other legislative leaders joined the governor for the announcement at the state Capitol. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY – Some are questioning the wisdom of Oklahoma Republicans' plans to cut taxes amid the ongoing push for budgetary reform in the nation's Capitol that aims to shift the cost for some high-dollar federal programs onto states. Some critics of the plan to cut Oklahoma's income tax 0.25% said the state will likely need the revenue the existing tax generates if congressional Republicans move forward with plans to require states to bear some costs of programs such as Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, more commonly known as SNAP or food stamps. Experts also point to broader economic concerns that the Trump administration's tariffs could increase the costs for goods and reduce consumer spending, resulting in less sales tax revenue. But a top legislative Republican said he is not concerned about the budgetary uncertainty playing out in D.C. Republicans said that now is the right time to cut the state's top income tax rate from 4.75% to 4.5%, which will allow Oklahomans to keep more of their money. They said will grow spending and increase Oklahoma's competitiveness in luring new residents to the state. Gov. Kevin Stitt said the state's income tax used to be 7% and has been gradually reduced. 'And every time we've seen that, the economy continues to expand,' Stitt said. 'We've seen revenue continue to grow.' A family of four with an income of $50,000 would save about $137 a year, according to Senate staff. The Oklahoma Policy Institute, a Tulsa-based think tank, said a 0.25% cut will cost state coffers about $338 million annually. Lawmakers are also discussing reducing the number of income tax brackets to three from six. The organization estimates that it will cost an additional $87 million a year. 'It is not wise at all,' said Aanahita Ervin, the organization's fiscal policy analyst, of making tax cuts this year. 'The (federal) costs are going to impact every state.' Oklahoma Democratic lawmakers are also sounding the alarm, though being in the minority they can do little on their own to stop a tax cut. Under the most current plan, congressional Republicans are hoping to reduce Medicaid spending by about $625 billion, and require states for the first time to contribute to SNAP In Oklahoma, nearly 1 in 4 residents are on Medicaid, and about 17% of people receive food stamps. Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, said state leaders don't have enough certainty from Congress to cut taxes right now. 'We won't know the federal budget until after session, so we are making decisions in a vacuum,' she said. Even without tax cuts, Oklahoma would still struggle to cover any federal cost shifts, she said. Kirt said the federal government has sent states billions in pandemic relief dollars. That has propped up budgets, not prudent planning, she said. But Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, who supports the cut, said he isn't worried about the federal uncertainty. 'I don't think it is going to impact this budget year,' Paxton said. 'If anything happens, it will be down the road and give us time to plan for it.' Republicans say the state has about $3.5 billion in savings. House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, said Oklahoma voters a few years ago approved Medicaid expansion and enshrined it in the state Constitution, so the legislators must pay for it even if the federal government does not, she said. 'There is a lot of uncertainty with what's happening at the federal level,' she said. Ervin, with the Policy Institute, said it will be difficult for Oklahoma lawmakers to raise taxes if revenue is needed in the future. In 1992, voters passed State Question 640 that required a three-fourths vote in both chambers or a vote of the people to raise taxes, something which has only been done once in three decades. Ervin said lawmakers' first instinct would be to cut services and or rely on savings before raising taxes. 'I think they will exhaust all those options before they even come close to talking about raising taxes,' Ervin said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers will not consider resolution to stop proposed controversial social studies standards
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Oklahoma Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) said the Senate would not consider a joint resolution against the new social studies guidelines by the May 1st deadline. Paxton, along with Senate Education Committee Chair Sen. Adam Pugh (R-Edmond), filed SJR 20 last week. It asked lawmakers to take a second look at social studies standards, approved by the Oklahoma State Board of Education. It also questioned the $33 million price tag for taxpayers for new textbooks and the lack of transparency on the approval process of the new guidelines. Last week, three State Department of Education board members said they had 'no idea' about last-minute changes to the standard. They called it a 'bait and switch,' which Walters denied. 'That's simply not true,' said Walters during last week's board meeting. 'That is a lie.' Board clashes with Supt. Walters over social studies standards Paxton sent News 4 a statement Tuesday about why his resolution was not heard. Following a lengthy conversation Monday, the caucus was not on board with rejecting the standards based on the process by which they were presented to the board of education. Oklahoma Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) KFOR has learned that Walters was present during Monday's Senate Republican Caucus meeting. The resolution was one of three filed concerning the curriculum: two in the Senate and one in the House. In order for lawmakers to meet Thursday's deadline, a resolution would have had to be heard and voted on in both chambers.'If we're not concerned enough to put that on the agenda and take a vote on it, that deeply disturbs me about the business of the Senate,' said Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt (D-Oklahoma City). Some lawmakers have questioned the contents of the social studies standards. They have said the proposed curriculum was factually inaccurate on several topics, including the 2020 election and the COVID pandemic. Legislators have also said the standards contain subjects that were not age-appropriate for each grade level. On Tuesday, Senate Democrats used every avenue possible on the floor to stall, hoping to convince the other side of the aisle to hear the resolution.'We're seeing Republicans unwilling to stand up to Superintendent Walters, even when the evidence is there, even when people across the state are asking us to take another look and make sure these are correct for what we teach kids across the state,' said Kirt. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State lawmakers reflect 30 years after Oklahoma City bombing
As the leader of the Oklahoma Senate, Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton often can find himself in the thick of rough-and-tumble politics. But when rhetoric and tone begin to rise uncomfortably, Paxton remembers an important principle — to disagree without being disagreeable. Among the lessons Oklahomans learned from the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995, that resulted in the deaths of 168 people and injured hundreds more are that there are things much more important than political arguments, that love always trumps hate and that harsh political discourse sometimes can lead to violent consequences. Those lessons remain relevant in politics today, legislative leaders affirmed this week. 'I always worry about that,' Paxton said Thursday. 'I have a lot of friends in this building, and we disagree and we agree all the time on things. We do it in a way that is respectful. But sometimes there's people out there that do it in a way that is where it demeans people and kind of almost dehumanizes people.' Paxton, R-Tuttle, said he's seen people serving on school boards or city councils berated on social media as 'a thief or a crook or corrupt' by someone who disagrees with them. He worries about where such political discourse can lead, citing the April 13 attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's home, in which a man has been accused of breaking in and setting a fire. Search warrants in that case have cited political differences between the suspect and Shapiro as a possible motive. 'You look at threats to different members of Congress that's happened, and you know it just seems to be — I don't have this have the stats to say whether it's more now than it has been, but it sure feels like it is,' Paxton said. 'It's a great observation, because I do think it's a real question to ask.' Paxton's counterparts in Capitol leadership shared similar feelings on Thursday about the dangers of allowing political disagreements to go unresolved. On Thursday, the House passed — after lengthy debate — a resolution authored by Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, declaring 'Christ is King.' House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, and other members of her party objected to what they saw as the politicization of Christian faith. Debate on the House floor, at times, seemed passionate and heated. But Munson — who was 9 and living in Lawton, attending Hugh Bish Elementary School, when the bombing occurred — noted lessons learned, much like Paxton, of not letting such disagreements get out of hand. 'Especially my generation of leaders, we talk a lot about service, the Oklahoma Standard, helping others — a lot of the emphasis was on that and making sure that we look out for each other now, especially being in politics and where we are today,' she said. 'It is why I'm so passionate about, you know, let's figure out a way to sit face to face, look each other in the eye and have conversations.' Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, was away at college in April 1995, and upon her return to Oklahoma City, the local response to the bombing made a lasting impression. 'It was amazing to watch because it really created a solidarity of community that comes out of that kind of strife,' Kirt said. 'But I think there was a real clarity around how impossible (it was) and how much we had to not let that happen again with Americans.' Anti-government views held by bomber Timothy McVeigh were at the root of his actions. It's important, Kirt said, to treat those working in government with respect. 'To me, anti-government sentiment can go awry when it's combined with dehumanizing and extremism,' she said. 'And I see a lot of anti-government sentiment that does not recognize the government is us and government are people we've hired to do work and we've asked to do a service. 'We might choose we don't think the state should do that service anymore. OK, that's one thing, but we don't say that that person's not a person. We don't say that they're not worthy. What I do is I meet a whole lot of public servants who are doing the hard work and are kind of under-appreciated. I'm deeply concerned about it, and I think some of the language we use up here really encourages that kind of dehumanizing mindset.' House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, was just 1 year old when the bombing happened. While he has no memories of it, he learned about what happened while growing up in Depew. Now that he's a state lawmaker, he said he understands his generation's responsibility to follow, and pass along, the principle of what's now known as the Oklahoma Standard. 'The fact that the speaker of the House for Oklahoma was 1 year old at the time (of the bombing) is a reminder of the reason we need to remember and never forget what happened,' Hilbert said. He spoke of his experience attending a program put on a few months ago by the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum in his House district in Mannford. Mannford High School Principal Kyle Genzer — whose mother, Jamie Genzer, died in the bombing — spoke about how that experience changed his life. 'You talk about lessons learned,' Hilbert said. 'I can tell you from what I experienced in Mannford a few months ago — all those high school freshmen came in. Fourteen-year-olds, it's sometimes hard to get their attention, but they all were locked in when Mr. Genzer got up and told his personal story and his personal connection and how the events of the bombing led him to where he is today as a principal at Mannford and the impact he's been able to have and take that terrible incident and make something good out of it.' Munson said it's important to remember McVeigh 'was very radical and clearly was disconnecting himself from reality ... and feeling like the government was after him.' Instead, she said, the aim of government should be to encourage people to work together, despite their differences. As an example, she cited the spirited debate over the 'Christ is King' resolution. 'I was upset about something, and I went over to a member and I just said, 'I hope that's not what you meant.' (That) allowed us to work something out,' she said. 'And I think that that's where we have to get to. And I hope that over the course of this week and this weekend that that's what people will remember and recommit to doing.' This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: State lawmakers reflect 30 years after Oklahoma City bombing
