Legislature Adjourns, Gov. Stitt Signs Budget

May 29th, 2019

The first session of the 57th Legislature has officially passed a resolution to adjourn “sine die” on Friday, May 31 at 5 p.m. We’ve heard all the bills we expect to hear this year, but we left a window open for next week just in case we need to come back. The Legislature is required by our constitution to adjourn by 5 p.m. on the last Friday in May, but we managed to finish our business a week ahead of schedule.

We’ve had a very successful session this year and passed legislation promoting government transparency, accountability and other conservative principles that will better our state. Now that session has wrapped up, we’ll begin a number of interim studies on a variety of issues, including a cost-of-living adjustment for many state retirees.

On Friday, the Governor signed the state budget agreement for the 2020 fiscal year. I outlined last week some specific highlights of the $8.1 budget that includes historic savings, pay raises for teachers and state employees, 5% increase in core services, additional funding for roads and bridges, rural healthcare and nursing home funding increases, and also builds upon the investment made in common education by the Legislature last year.

Among other bills signed by the Governor, this week was Senate Bill 1, which creates the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) within the existing Legislative Service Bureau (LSB). The LSB is a shared office between the House and Senate that currently has limited functions. LOFT would employ financial examiners who would routinely audit agency budgets and spending and evaluate the effectiveness of agency programs and services. Reports are then given to the House and Senate. LOFT would have an oversight committee made up of an equal number of bipartisan House and Senate members who are appointed by their chamber’s leadership.

With session finished, I’m glad to be able to spend more time in District 51. I hope to see you out and about or at a community event soon!

Memorial Day is this weekend, and I hope that you plan to join a remembrance ceremony Monday to honor the sacrifices of our nation’s bravest heroes. Thank you to the veterans in District 51 and throughout Oklahoma for your service.

Thank you for choosing me to serve another term in the Oklahoma Legislature. It is truly an honor to represent the people of District 51. Please reach out to my office about policy questions or about legislation you’d like to see considered next session. You can contact me at (580) 641-3153 or brad@bolesforok.com. God Bless.

Rep. Brad Boles