The House this week passed the general appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2026 as well as more than 50 bills that set spending limits for various agencies and the programs they administer. The Senate did the same. The governor still will need to sign these measures before they become law.
The $12.6 billion budget delivers a 0.25% income tax cut to the top three brackets and removes the remaining three brackets. This plan establishes a pathway to zero income tax over time if certain revenue projections are met.
The budget delivers a 3% increase to public education, including $26 million directly to the school funding formula and $9.3 million to expand enrollment for CareerTech.
It includes $250 million for a state-of-the art hospital at the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and $200 million for a world-class pediatric hospital at OU Health.
The Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services will get a supplemental appropriation to help the department finish the current fiscal year and begin the next fiscal year. Several entities, meanwhile, are still working to determine the full scope of financial problems at the department. These include the state auditor and inspector, the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) and outside counsel brought in by the governor.
Counties will benefit from additional funding to repair county roads and bridges and through Rural Economic Action Plan Grants that help fund projects such as community storm shelters, sewer and water upgrades and more.
We’ve dedicated $42 million for National Guard construction projects and $21 million for military base protections at key facilities throughout the state.
At the same time we’ve been working to pass budget legislation, we’re still hearing bills that were amended in the opposite chamber and moving legislation through the conference committee process.
I was able to get approval on final language of House Bill 1563 in conference this week and pass it on final reading in the House. The Senate passed this final version as well, and it has been sent to the governor. This would strengthen due process and government accountability by ensuring timely access to evidence and empowering defendants to obtain records directly from businesses. It also protects victims and the integrity of investigations by limiting access to sensitive materials and tightening standards for jailhouse informants.
Monday is Memorial Day. I hope you will pause at some point during the day to remember the sacrifice of members of our U.S. Armed Services who willingly laid down their lives in service to our nation and our citizens. There truly is no greater love than this. I remain ever thankful for the freedoms and the safety I enjoy in my daily life, thinking of those who gave all for these privileges.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at (405) 557-7350 or collin.duel@okhouse.gov if I can ever be of service to you.
Be the first to comment on "Rep. Duel: House passes budget legislation"