Oklahoma Legislature Braces for Hard Times, Budget Cuts

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DALLAS — Facing a new economic reality after oil prices fell 50% in six months, Oklahoma's Republican legislative leaders are calling for sacrifices from state employees and recipients of state services in the 2015 session.

"This will be a year that requires sacrifice from those who utilize the services that state government was initially intended to provide," Rep. Jeff Hickman, R-Dacoma, told representatives after his re-election as House speaker.

"Sacrifice from our state employees who provide those services, and sacrifice as we determine what programs are beyond our mission and must be ended because they are luxuries we can no longer afford at the expense of essential state services."

After the election of leaders Jan. 7, the legislature returns Feb. 2 to begin its four-month session.

Despite growing demands for state workers, schools, prisons and health care brought about by the oil and gas boom of the past five years, legislators will have an estimated $300 million, or 4.1%, less to spend on the new budget compared to the last session.

"We must do a better job of maximizing our investment in public education and getting more dollars to the classroom," state Sen. Jeff Bingman, R-Sapulpa said after his re-election as president pro tem of the Senate.

"We need to examine economic incentives, protecting credits that are productive and giving close scrutiny to identifying any credits that are not providing us with a return on our investment," Bingman said.

Oklahoma carries general obligation ratings of AA-plus from Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings.

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