Posted on 12/24/2009 8:54:22 AM PST by dragnet2
Oklahoma has the unwanted distinction of having the largest revenue shortfall of any state, according to a new report.
That reality is illustrated by the state's revenue collections, which are down by more than 25 percent from a year ago.
The state last week ordered yet another round of cuts, this time instructing agencies to cut 10 percent from their budgets.
A November state budget report by the National Conference of State Legislatures says Oklahoma's 18.5 percent shortfall for the current fiscal year edges out Arizona's 18 percent, with Illinois in third at 16.5 percent.
State agencies appeared to be taken by surprise by the 10 percent reduction. Departments have been putting workers on furlough and cutting services to cope with the 5 percent reduction.
Lauri Monetti, a Department of Human Services spokeswoman, said the additional cuts threaten programs that have been protected to this point because of the federal matching money they attract.
She said cuts in one-time expenditures will likely be made first. She said the “effect will be more significant” if the negative trend in revenue doesn't reverse soon.
The prison system, which is more reliant on state general fund revenue than most departments, is still analyzing the situation.
Corrections Department spokesman Jerry Massie said the agency has already had a round of early retirements and is running furloughs. The department work force is at three-quarters of its authorized strength.
Arizona? Oklahoma?
Hmmm
Ping!
Hey now, The Age of Obama is hard on all 57 states.
Wealth redistribution (ie: looting state and federal coffers) and destroying nations doesn’t come cheap.
ping....lol
Hey, this trend seems to be spreading!
Shazzam!!
And Congress has just dropped their “Christmas present” on these states which is going make things even worse. That is, every state except Nebraska. They took a sweetheart deal to get this commie beast through Dingy Reid’s “senate.” The rest of the country will be paying their portion.
Why don’t they just ask the federal government for more free stuff to make up the difference?
My Oakie friends, feel free to field that gem of a question :-)
Thankfully, it seems that our governer isn’t bleating to congress for a handout, yet.
Not surprising that my State is hurting...but I suspicion that some other States are cooking the books and are even worse off. JMHO.
Thanks. I missed the post on Oklahoma. So we have Arizona, California, Nevada and Oklahoma. Any other States? Michigan?New York?
Don't mean to be harsh friend, but your bloated corrupt state government there in Oklahoma will be coming after you.....
Ya see they need to prop up their fat government salaries, their bloated government benefits and their opulent lottery style government retirement benefits.
I suggest that Oklahoma impose a “Redneck Tax.” Maybe a nickel per beer can, $1.00 on any article of camo clothing, 50 cents per can of Bucksnort, $10 on each 4-wheeler, $50 per pickup (said tax to specifically exclude 1985 Dodge Ramchargers) and $100 per female over 18 in Oklahoma because Oklahoma girls are just not human.
parsy, who knew one real well
Oklahoma gets what they deserve!
You advocate raising taxes?
California leads the way again.. off the cliff.. into the abyss. splat!
Like California does?
Or borrow on non-existent "future" revenues?
Like California does?
Or borrow on non-existent "future" revenues?
All the Oklahoma people are over on the California threads laughing about their deficits and corrupt state government.
:o
Here come the stories presented by the Lefties.
In an effort to prop up their fat government salaries, their bloated government benefits and their opulent lottery style government retirement benefits, that will be forthcoming!
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