Bingman: Budget-Only Session Would Change Focus On Tax Dollars
Oklahoma Senate leader: Change would keep focus on how tax dollars are spent
BY STATE SEN. BRIAN BINGMAN
When new lawmakers get started at the Capitol, it usually doesn’t take them long to learn an important lesson — nearly everything we do in the Legislature revolves around the budget. The tax contributions of Oklahomans make state government possible, and we’re obligated to carefully and judiciously allocate those dollars in a way that maximizes their value to the entire state. When we devote more time and attention to these decisions, we’re able to make better choices.
This year the Senate has undertaken several initiatives to put the focus back on the issue of state spending. All 48 members of the Senate, Republican and Democrat, are now members of the Senate Appropriations Committee. This gives every member an additional opportunity to participate in the process — to ask questions, cast votes and be an advocate for the interests of their constituents.
Faced with a budget shortfall in excess of $600 million, the Legislature will have to make difficult decisions to balance the budget. As a conservative, I believe our first and best option is to take a closer look at state spending and identify opportunities for savings. Before we withdraw from the people’s savings account, the Rainy Day Fund, we need to examine our expenditures from top to bottom and be more efficient.
The 12 largest state agencies in Oklahoma receive more than 90 percent of state-appropriated dollars. This month, the Appropriations Committee began the process of meeting with each of these agencies to examine their budgets in greater detail. This additional time to consider agency budgets will be helpful in identifying savings. As we look to the future, fiscal conservatives in Oklahoma should champion ideas that bring greater focus to the budget and shine more light on how the Legislature allocates tax dollars.