Oklahoma House Has $6.9 Million Surplus

The Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY -- At a time when the state is facing severe budget problems, a fund the Oklahoma House uses to pay for office furniture, computers and electronic reader boards is flush with nearly $7 million in surplus money.

But there's little chance lawmakers will donate the money to the state general fund to help with other uses like education and roads.

Leaders of the Republican majority that controls the House say the extra money will be needed eventually for remodeling and infrastructure repairs.

But Democratic leaders say they are shocked at the budget surplus and wonder what GOP leaders are doing to tighten their spending belt.

Similar to state agencies, the Legislature receives state appropriations to pay its employees and operating expenses. The state House's $6.9 million surplus amounts to more than a third of
its annual appropriation of $19.2 million.