The Oklahoma Policy Institute’s Sabine Brown makes the case for how increased transparency in Oklahoma’s government. To go to her post on the matter CLICK HERE. We have also included the first part you can read.

Effective democracy requires more transparency in Oklahoma state government

SABINE BROWN // AUGUST 30, 2022 // UPDATED: AUGUST 24, 2022
OK POLICY BLOG // BUDGET & TAX // BUDGET PROCESS

Oklahoma’s government is one of the least transparent in the nation. In contrast to other states, the general public is largely left out of the budget process and deprived of basic expectations of government such as public debate. Unfortunately, that didn’t change this year. Business as usual — including inadequate time for budget reviews, no process for public feedback, and circumventing legislative rules — means state government cannot truly represent the values and needs of our state. Oklahomans need timely, accurate information from their government and a means through which to meaningfully participate in the budget process. Legislators should increase transparency to ensure the state government is working for the people it is designed to serve.

Legislators need more time to review the budget

Most of the budget is crafted by legislative leaders including the appropriations and budget chairs, president pro tempore of the Senate, speaker of the House, and/or their designees.Although appropriations and budget subcommittees have some input early in the process, final decisions are made by a small select group of members, while the rest of the legislature has only a matter of hours to review the budget before voting. This year’s state budget was released on a Monday around 6 p.m. and then voted on the next day, allowing less than 24 hours for lawmakers to determine how the state would spend more than $10 billion dollars for vital state services. For another example, legislators were given two hours this session to review a $700 million business incentive bill for an undisclosed company. (Turns out this package was Oklahoma’s unsuccessful attempt to lure a Panasonic plant to our state.) Most people wouldn’t make major financial decisions for their family without doing their due diligence, and it’s irrational that lawmakers don’t hold themselves accountable to the same standard.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have complained about Oklahoma’s rushed and closed budget process. In a press conference explaining his veto of key parts of the state budget this year, Gov. Stitt also called out the lack of transparency in the budget proceedings,  echoing complaints of lawmakers in prior legislative sessions. Oklahoma should adopt policies that open the budget process to both legislators and the public. READ MORE