OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the state’s budget bill Thursday, allocating $12.8 billion in funds for fiscal year 2027.
Stitt signed Senate Bill 1177 — the 40-page budget package — a week after the measure cleared the House of Representatives on a 76-18 vote. Two days before it cleared the House, the bill was passed by the Senate 28-17.
Stitt signed the bill at 7 a.m. April 15. The signed measure was transferred to the Senate at 5:45 p.m.
“Yes, he signed it a couple hours ago,” House Budget Chairman Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon, said Wednesday evening.
The approval comes 15 days after the governor and legislative leaders held a press conference at the state Capitol after completing budget negotiations.
During that April 1 press conference, Stitt said the budget agreement laid the groundwork for several of his key priorities, including establishing a Taxpayer Endowment Trust Fund.
“This agreement reflects the important priorities for Oklahoma while keeping an eye on the horizon and planning for the future needs of our state,” Stitt said. “In this budget, we cement my top priority as governor: building and protecting Oklahoma’s savings. When I took office in 2019, our Rainy-Day Fund was depleted. Since then, we have built the largest savings in state history to help us weather tough times, keep core services strong, and protect taxpayers from sudden tax hikes.”
Sen. Chuck Hall, the Senate’s budget chairman, said the bill meets the constitutional duty to deliver a balanced, fiscally responsible spending plan that funds essential services for Oklahomans.
“This proposal keeps government growth in check while putting 82% of new spending toward what matters most — public education, clean water and health and mental health services. Most importantly, this budget is an investment in a brighter future for Oklahoma and all Oklahomans,” Hall said at the April 1 press conference.
With the budget measure now legal, lawmakers will continue their work on individual budget allocation bills next week. Though the Legislature has until May 29 to finish their work, legislative leaders say they expect to adjourn the session early.