Senate approves 2015 Budget Bill

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman issued the following statement on passage of SB 2127, the general appropriations bill that puts into law the state budget agreement reached by the Senate, House and governor’s office last week. The measure was approved 31-9 on Tuesday.

“We passed a fiscally responsible budget that protected core government services like education, health care, public safety and transportation, while trimming government spending in other areas. Despite a $188 million budget shortfall, we were able to utilize some one-time funds in various agency revolving funds to give supplemental funding to high-need agencies. This helped us bridge the gap in a down budget year without growing government or increasing ongoing expenses in years to come. We also preserved our state’s Rainy Day fund for a true emergency, should one arise.” –Senate President Pro Tempore, Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa