The Oklahoma Legislature has adjourned its 2016 regular session after lawmakers passed a $6.8 billion budget bill to fund state services during the upcoming year.
The Oklahoma House adjourned Friday after giving final approval of the general appropriations bill for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The bill was sent to Gov. Mary Fallin to be signed into law.
The Senate adjourned earlier Friday after approving a $200 million bond issue to pay for road and bridge construction — a move that frees up $200 million to fund general state operations.
Lawmaker convened the legislative session on Feb. 1 amid a projected shortfall in next year's budget of $1.3 billion, largely due to declining revenue from oil and gas production. The balanced budget includes $969.3 million in new revenue and budget cuts.
The Oklahoma House has passed and sent to the governor a $6.8 billion budget for the upcoming year, the last major piece of legislation in the 2016 Oklahoma Legislature.
The House voted 52-45 Friday for a general appropriations bill for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Failure to pass the measure would have forced a special legislative session to complete work on next year's budget. The Senate approved the bill on Wednesday.
The budget proposal authorizes a $200 million bond issue to pay for road and bridge construction, freeing up $200 million to fund general state operations instead of earmarking it specifically for transportation. The Senate approved final passage of the bond proposal Friday.
The budget raises about $969.3 million in revenue to cover most of a $1.3 billion projected budget shortfall next year.