Board of Equalization Certifies Revenue

The state Board of Equalization met last week certifying revenue the Legislature will have to appropriate for Fiscal Year 2025, which starts July 1.

The board certified $13.96 billion, which is $698.7 million, or 5.3%, more than authorized for Fiscal Year 2024.

Now that the numbers are in, we will begin the final phase of drafting our state budget for the next fiscal year, determining amounts each state agency will receive to deliver programs and services to all Oklahomans.

Our priorities remain much the same as they have for many years now. We plan to continue funding public education at historic high amounts, making sure our teachers are properly compensated and our classrooms receive adequate funding to ensure students receive all the help they need to be prepared for the next grade level and for life after high school.

We expect to see legislation that expands the use of Redbud funding for school districts that receive less ad valorem dollars than others. I know there will be talk of expanding tax credits for parents who choose alternative education options for their children.

Transportation is another focus of state appropriations. We have to continue our work to maintain our state and county roads and bridges so our citizens can travel in safety and goods and services can be delivered efficiently.

Public health and safety are other areas that receive a large portion of state dollars, and they will again be a priority this legislative session.

We continue to talk about tax cuts, credits, rebates or other incentives allowing Oklahoma taxpayers to keep more of their income. And many other bills will come into sharper focus as we continue to hear legislation in our House committees and then on the House floor.

Committee work continues through Feb. 29 this year. Last week was busy as many of our committees met considering numerous bills. In addition to my duties as deputy majority floor leader, I am vice chair of the A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee. We heard three bills last week and are set to consider seven more this week. I also serve on the House Agriculture, and the Rules Committees as well as on the full A&B Committee.

As always, if you have concerns about bills, or problems I can assist you in solving, please reach out to me at [email protected] or call my office at 405-557-7332.

John Pfeiffer serves District 38 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Grant County and parts of Garfield, Kay, Logan and Noble counties.