Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105

For Immediate Release: April 8, 2003

Audio Clip

Sen. James A. Williamson

GOP Initiatives a Key Part of State Budget Agreement

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – The adoption of Republican budget reform initiatives are a key part of the bipartisan budget agreement between House and Senate leaders and the governor’s office, the Senate Republican Floor Leader said Tuesday.

“Republicans were instrumental in obtaining an agreement on common sense, long-term budget reforms that will improve the efficiency of state government and ensure tax dollars are spent wisely. The importance of these reforms to the future of the budget process in Oklahoma should not be understated,” said Sen. James A. Williamson, R-Tulsa, Senate Republican Floor Leader.

“It is a tough budget year, but the bipartisan budget agreement proves that even with revenue shortfalls our state’s top priorities can be adequately funded without increasing the tax burden on Oklahoma taxpayers. A general tax increase during this economic downturn would be devastating to our economy, and would only make the long-term budget picture worse,” Williamson said.

Republican budget reforms adopted in the budget include:

• Funding education first: The FY04 common education appropriations bill will be passed by the Legislature early next week, and a statute will be enacted requiring the Legislature to pass common education funding in March of each year.

• Zero-based budgeting: A statute will be enacted requiring the state agencies to justify each dollar requested every year, and requiring legislative reauthorization for each agency every four years.

• Rainy Day Fund: A vote of the people will be scheduled in 2004 for new protections for the Rainy Day Fund, making it more difficult to withdraw funds except during revenue shortfalls.

• Ad valorem reimbursement fund: A $14.4 million public education shortfall in the ad valorem reimbursement fund will be restored.

• Voluntary School Consolidation: Financial incentives to encourage school districts to voluntarily consolidate will be enacted. These incentives were originally adopted with House Bill 1017, but have since expired.


For more information, contact:

Senator James A. Williamson
Senate Republican Leader
(405) 521-5624