Senator Hall: Highlights of the $12B state budget

After months of work and constructive collaboration between the Senate and the House, the Legislature and the Governor have reached an agreement on a fiscally responsible state budget for the new fiscal year. The $12.59 billion budget maintains level funding for most state agencies, preventing unnecessary government growth, while making targeted investments in education, health care and transportation. The Legislature is constitutionally required to pass a balanced budget each year, and I’m proud to have played a key role in this process.

One of the highlights I’m most proud of in this budget is the $71 million allocated to the Preserving and Advancing County Transportation (PACT) Act, which will go toward repairing and upgrading county roads and bridges across the state. This investment will hike county funding for maintaining local roads, bringing all 77 counties up to $4,000 per road mile. For many rural areas, this represents a significant boost that will improve road conditions and make travel safer for everyone. The budget also includes a $20 million increase to the ROADS Fund so the Oklahoma Department of Transportation can upgrade and staff vehicle weigh stations across the state. Modernizing these weigh stations is important for public safety and minimizing damage to our highways.

This budget also includes $250 million for Oklahoma State University to build a state-of-the-art veterinary medicine facility. OSU’s animal teaching hospital is a cornerstone of veterinary education, but its facility is more than 40 years old and much of the equipment is outdated, hindering the school’s ability to train future veterinarians. With this investment, I’m confident that OSU can reclaim its place as a national leader in veterinary medicine. Also included in the budget is $200 million for OU Health to construct a pediatric heart hospital to help some of the state’s youngest and most vulnerable patients. Supporting advancements in pediatric cardiac care ensures that more children can access life-saving treatments right here in Oklahoma.

This state spending plan increases funding for public education. It extends the teacher salary scale to boost pay for experienced educators, increases funding to cover maternity leave for teachers and invests in a tutoring program to help students who are falling behind in reading and math.

This budget proposal also includes tax relief for all Oklahomans and long-term tax reforms that will simplify the state’s tax code. There is a quarter-point income tax cut, consolidation of state income tax brackets and a responsible path toward gradually eliminating the state income tax while protecting funding for essential public services.

Lastly, this budget addresses the funding shortfall at the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, ensuring staff are paid and mental health services continue without disruption. Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton recently appointed me to the Joint Select Committee to Review Mental Health Finances, which is tasked with identifying the causes of the funding shortfall at ODMHSAS and ensuring stronger financial oversight moving forward.

I’ve been honored to recognize some outstanding constituents in the Senate recently. I welcomed Kaytlin Sepeda as the Senate’s nurse of the day on April 30 and Dr. Caleb Lack as our psychologist of the day on May 12. I also recently recognized Hennessey Public Schools teacher Maribeth Boettler, who is retiring after over 50 years of dedicated public service as an educator. I wish Maribeth all the best in her well-earned retirement.

As always, it’s an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Senate District 20.

Please feel free to contact my Capitol office with any questions or concerns you may have about legislation or other issues impacting our state at 405-521-5628 or at Chuck.Hall@oksenate.gov.