April 11, 2026 Issue, Page 9 of 12

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The Elk City News SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2026 • 9 Weekly Oklahoma Oil and Gas Proudly Brought to you by: Oil & Gas Report for the State of Oklahoma for March 31 - April 6, 2026 Senate Notes from Sen. Brent Howard | April 6, 2026 Leadership in both chambers especially as the Oklahoma Water ment would be in partnership to improve their funded ratios, and Gov. Kevin Stitt have reached Resources Board estimates more with Dawn Aerospace. The state which could drop if COLAs are an agreement on a proposed than $24 billion will be needed Department of Commerce has granted. Much consternation was $12.78 billion state budget for the by 2030 to meet statewide infra- contracted to purchase a low-or- raised at the start of the session fiscal year that begins in July. This structure demands. About $35 bit supersonic jet but needs a site due to Senate leaders asking the budget is relatively flat, with just million in the budget would go to store this spacecraft. OSIDA question of when those general a 1% increase in spending com- toward low-interest loans to help will use this funding to build a revenue apportionments could pared to the $12.59 billion state communities address a growing new hangar, as well as an office stop. At that time, I heard over- budget passed last year. backlog of water projects. An- to house mission control and whelmingly from the district that Funding for most state agen- other $10 million in new funding payload processing facilities. This retirees did not want their sys- cies remains flat, but the budget for Rural Economic Action Plan new facility should be up and tem funding put in jeopardy. The includes targeted investments in grants would support water proj- running by this time next year. biggest risk to funding ratios is education, health care and wa- ects in communities with fewer This is an exciting development an unfunded COLA, so as those ter infrastructure. Most notably, than 7,000 people. for western Oklahoma and the votes are considered, I will look there’s a $232 million funding Oklahoma loses an estimated future of aerospace in Burns Flat. at the funding ratio for each ad- increase for common education. 300,000 acres of land and mil- The one portion of the budget justment. Around $80 million of that would lions of gallons of water annually deal that I feel is fiscally irrespon- The Senate Joint Committee on go toward early childhood litera- because of red cedar encroach- sible is that it grants cost-of-liv- Appropriations and Budget will cy and numeracy initiatives to en- ment. These trees also pose a ing adjustments (COLAs) for begin reviewing budget bills this sure young students build strong severe fire hazard because they retired state employees, teachers, week. Senate policy committees reading and math skills. This has intensify wildfires. This proposed police, firefighters and judges. will also be busy as we start vet- been one of the top issues this budget includes an additional While I understand that retirees ting House bills. session because most Oklahoma $2.5 million for state efforts to have been struggling amid high To contact me at the Capitol, fourth graders are not proficient eradicate this invasive species. inflation in recent years, my con- please write to Senator Brent in reading or math, which puts The budget also includes $7.5 cern is that most of these state Howard, State Capitol, 2300 N. them behind for the rest of their million for the Oklahoma Space pension systems are still not fully Lincoln Blvd. Room 427, Okla- schooling. Industry Development Authori- funded. In fact, general revenue is homa City, OK, 73105, email me I’m pleased to see that this bud- ty to continue developing Burns still being apportioned to several at [email protected], get includes new funding for lo- Flat for permanent aerospace op- of the systems on top of employ- or call (405) 521-5612. cal water infrastructure projects, erations. This particular invest- ee and employer contributions