Pro Tem Treat releases plans for new Senate budget process

Pro Tem Treat Releases Plans for New Senate Budget Process

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 4th) – Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, today released the Senate’s plan for more budget transparency and an estimated timeline for the Senate’s new budget proposal.

The Senate appropriations subcommittee members will begin analyzing agency budgets and program performance measures beginning tomorrow in open meetings. This process will go through the end of January. All meetings will be open and livestreamed on the Senate website.

Once the Senate Appropriations Committee approves a budget, a Senate Resolution will be drafted that incorporates the approved Senate budget.

Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat said this is a new budget transparency measure that has been in the planning phase for months and will help Oklahomans see exactly where the Senate is putting its priorities.

“For years, I have heard criticisms from my Senate counterparts, and Oklahomans alike, about the overall budget process,” Pro Tem Treat said. “This will allow everyone to see how the budget is discussed and how it is done in the open. My goal with this is to provide more transparency and more accountability for agencies who are funded through taxpayer dollars. These meetings will be public, and Senate members will have input. I hope this brings clarity to the process on the Senate side. Giving our members more buy-in will allow them to be able to fully explain to their constituents our priorities, and how we came to certain decisions during the process.”

To view the full 2024 Oklahoma Senate budget plan timeline, click here.

Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd comments on new budget process

OKLAHOMA CITY –Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd issued the following statement Tuesday regarding Senate leadership’s plan for a new budget process.

“I am pleased that Senate leadership acknowledges the necessity of a transparent budget process. Oklahomans deserve a clear explanation of where their tax dollars are going and why. This process has been out of the public eye for far too long, and I hope this new approach will enable us to craft a budget that better meets the needs of Oklahomans.” – Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City.