Oklahoma Senate passes budget, Democrats still call for more bipartisan negotiations
OKLAHOMA CITY (KSWO) - Oklahoma lawmakers are moving forward as they work to pass a state budget.
The Senate approved a budget package for the coming fiscal year on May 28. The budget includes $350 million for a newly created fund aimed at covering maintenance costs at state properties and parks.
It also has $240 million for new engineering and science facilities at OU and OSU. This garnered debate on the House side after Rep. Goodwin (D-Tulsa) brought up why Langston University, the state’s only historically Black college in Oklahoma, wasn’t getting similar funding.
In addition, the proposed budget accounts for investments into public schools, law enforcement and various infrastructure projects across the state.
Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd (D-OKC) challenged the idea of a flat budget after her side of the legislature voted for the proposed budget.
“A flat budget does not create solutions to the growing challenges we face,” Floyd said. “A bipartisan budget would have provided more funding for our schools, health and mental health care, and other critical services, putting people over politics.”
The bill now heads to the House for final legislature approval before heading to the governor’s desk.
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