Bartlesville Radio: The area’s best source for news, weather and sports!

The House passed the Legislative Budget Office in session this week. District 11 Representative Darrell Fincher said they have been trying to run a $7 billion budget with approximately 6 staffers. He said the Legislative Budget Office legislation being passed on to the Senate should correct the issue by providing additional staff.

Fincher said another big thing happening in the House has been a Cost-of-Living Adjustment for Oklahoma retirees. He said if you are a state retiree it is a 4-percent COLA. According to Fincher, he has checked inflation and it has gone up 15-percent since the last COLA. He said that does not make a terribly big difference, but said they are trying to make crazy budget impacts.

Fincher also said that the House also passed a teacher tax credit for $1,000. He said they passed a teacher pay raise earlier in the year as well. He said those will also go to the Senate for budget negotiations.