[File Photo]
OKLAHOMA CITY -
Early
projections show Oklahoma lawmakers will have about $214 million more than last
year to spend on next year's state budget, despite huge reductions in oil and
gas tax revenue.
Secretary
of Finance Preston Doerflinger said Wednesday the State Board of Equalization
is expected to certify about $7 billion in revenue that Gov. Mary Fallin will
use to build her executive budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
The board
is expected to certify that amount during its regular meeting on Thursday, then
meet again in February for a final certification.
The
increase of about 3.1 percent over last year's spending comes despite a major
reduction in the amount of revenue from the production of oil and natural gas.
Much of that reduction is due to recently enacted drilling tax credits.