Oklahoma

WASHINGTON — Last month, the Oklahoma fire marshal’s office cut staff again, dropping its headcount to 27 workers from 34 at full capacity four years ago, as another round of spending cuts was imposed.

DALLAS — Oklahoma tax revenue in February exceeded the official forecast for the first time since December 2008, with better-than-expected collections from personal income and energy production taxes.

DALLAS — Voters in the Tulsa County Independent School District No. 1 approved a $354 million general obligation bond package on Tuesday, the largest bond package ever sought by the district or any other school district in Oklahoma.

DALLAS — Tulsa County Independent School District No. 3 will begin 10 years of scheduled sales with a $19 million general obligation issue set for competitive sale on Feb. 16.

The Tulsa suburb of Jenks will hold a Feb. 9 election on a $6.7 million bond issue that would provide the required local match to three street projects.

Tim Gilpin, a member of the Oklahoma Board of Education, last week criticized legislative leaders for not calling a special session to address a $43 million cut in state aid to education over the past four months.

Oklahoma state agencies will get 10% less than appropriated for December, as tax revenue fell in November for the 11th consecutive month.

DALLAS — Voters across Oklahoma went to the polls on Tuesday to support more than $470 million of school bonds requested by local districts. All five bond proposals on the ballot obtained the 60% majority needed to pass school bonds.

DALLAS — A $354 million general obligation bond issue outlined for trustees of the Tulsa County Independent School District No. 1 on Monday night would continue efforts contained in a 20-year capital improvement program adopted in 1995.

DALLAS — Oklahoma County Independent School District No. 1 will exhaust a 2007 authorization and sell the first bonds from a successful November election with today’s competitive sale of $15.5 million of general obligation bonds.

DALLAS — Oklahoma’s general fund revenue fell below expectations for the 10th consecutive month in October, but Treasurer Scott Meacham said the state’s economy may be poised for recovery, as the decline was not as steep as in recent months.

Scott Meacham, who has been Oklahoma’s treasurer since 2005, said last week he would not seek re-election or any other statewide office in 2010.

DALLAS — Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry and legislative leaders notified state agencies on Tuesday to expect monthly budget cuts through the remainder of fiscal 2010 as revenues continue to drop below expected levels.

The request by Oklahoma County Independent School District No. 6 for $142.1 million of general obligation bonds was approved by more than 80% of the voters in the Oklahoma City suburb of Deer Creek.

Oklahoma state agencies will have their budgets held to 95% of appropriations for a third consecutive month as the decline in revenue steepened, and spending will be cut by about $21 million, according to Treasurer Scott Meacham.

The Oklahoma Transportation Commission last week delayed the awarding of contracts for a number of highway projects due to questions over the continued availability of federal funding.

Tulsa County Independent School District No. 5 has several projects under way that are wholly or partially financed with proceeds from $155 million of lease revenue bonds approved by voters in 2008.

DALLAS — Rising enrollment resulting from rapid growth in the northern suburbs of Oklahoma City is the primary driver in the request by the Oklahoma County Independent School District No. 6 for $142.1 million of general obligation bonds.

DALLAS - Oklahoma extended a 5% reduction in state agency spending through September as tax revenues continue an eight-month slide.

DALLAS — Tulsa, Okla., will finance the next 12 months of its five-year street improvement program with the proceeds from Thursday’s competitive sale of $70 million of general obligation bonds.