The end of session and processing the budget cuts
As many of you noticed our legislators managed to pass a budget deal and wrap up the legislative session before Memorial Day. For this Together Tuesday Update we are definitely all together in our disappointment with the budget deal and concerned about what cuts agencies have under consideration.
While the budget deal gives flat funding to some state agencies, many of those same agencies needed additional funds just to maintain current services. Other state agencies received more budget cuts on top of many years of cuts to their budgets.
Many of you did your best to tell state legislators that we needed to Halt the Tax Cut to fund education and other core services first, but unfortunately, this time they weren’t willing to take action on your requests. Sometimes it takes years of saying the same thing for our leaders to feel the pressure. Thank you for contacting your legislators! Now is a great time to let them know that you are still paying attention. Contact your legislator and let them know how you feel about the state budget deal and ask them why they weren’t willing to implement any responsible options to avoid more budget cuts.
Next week we’ll get down to talking about this session in review. There were some good wins and reasons to pat ourselves on the back – so stay tuned.
Summer Policy Institute Application Deadline May 31st
The deadline is fast approaching and we still have room for more applicants for SPI 2015! Do you know folks who are waiting until the last moment to apply? Who do you think we haven’t reached, and how can you help us reach them? Make sure to share this link on social media https://okpolicy.org/events/summer-policy-institute and let all your student friends know that the Summer Policy Institute is a great step to take if they want to join us in our work to make Oklahoma better for us all!
