Oklahoma officials declare revenue failure, announce 3% agency cuts

[TexasTowelie]

Struggling to cope with falling tax revenues, state finance officials declared a revenue failure Wednesday and announced that monthly general revenue allocations to state agencies will be cut 3 percent for the next six months to to make up for a projected $157 million shortfall.

State agencies that will be required to absorb the largest cuts over the next six months include the Department of Education, which will receive nearly $46.8 million less than expected; the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, which will be cut nearly $27.4 million; and the Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education, which will be cut a little more than $24 million.

“Now that we know the extent of the cut for the remainder of the fiscal year, school districts will soon be able to plan accordingly,” said Joy Hofmeister, state schools superintendent.

“The reduced funding was inevitable in the wake of the revenue failure, but I know that the Oklahoma State Department of Education and district leaders statewide are committed to lessening the impact on students as much as possible.”

Read more: http://newsok.com/oklahoma-officials-declare-revenue-failure-announce-3-agency-cuts/article/5468596

[TheBlackAdder]

1. Hey OK, while you cut education, cut PP funding too! Each forced birth adds $380K in taxes. nt

[DhhD]

2. Revenue Failure-cover for Move to School Vouchers by GOP controlled Oklahoma Legislature.

http://www.news9.com/story/28242757/controversial-school-vouchers-considered-in-oklahoma-legislature
snip
A vast majority of education groups opposed the measure, arguing not only does it divert money from schools, but provides parents with an incentive to pull their kids out of public education.

“If you pull your child out of those systems there's no guarantee the child receives a quality education,” said Owens.

Parents would receive the funds on debit cards and would have to justify expenditures with the state. If parents don't spend all the money they receive from the state they could keep it to pay for college later on.


What a sale's pitch-Pay less for private classroom education and keep the rest of the money. The Ignorance banner just got a lot bigger.

[avebury]

3. And yet the State Legislature under Mary Fallin will continue

to waste tax payer dollars on stupid legislation that will inevitably be defended in court (at tax payer expense of course) by the Republican Attorney General for being unconstitutional.