The House and Senate have passed the general appropriations bill to fund state government for Fiscal Year 2027, which starts July 1. This now moves to the governor for his approval and signing it into law. There are still a number of bills to pass that detail how each state agency is to spend this funding.
The budget for FY27 is almost $12.8 billion, a 1.5% increase over the current fiscal year. This includes a $232 million increase for common education, supporting teacher pay raises and investing in initiatives that strengthen early literacy and ensure students build a solid foundation in math.
It increases funding for mental health and the Oklahoma Health Care Authority and for childcare teacher recruitment and retention, to ensure the state meets its obligations in these areas.
We increased Department of Transportation funding to keep the eight-year roads and bridges program on track. We also targeted funding toward several public safety improvements.
We're saving about $3 billion, even as we've been able to cut taxes by about $1.6 billion over the last several years.
No budget is perfect, but this one preserves necessary public services while cutting some waste.
At the same time, the House is considering Senate measures. Here is a look at two I am carrying. Both are constituent requests.
Senate Bill 843 would amend state law that prohibits individuals from serving on a school board if they are related to another board member or school employee. Current law provides an exception for schools with an average daily membership of 400 or fewer students. This would raise that to 550. The measure passed House Common Education Committee and next faces consideration in our Education Oversight Committee.
Senate Bill 1932 would allow individuals to represent themselves before the Oklahoma Corporation Commission during an Oklahoma Motor Carrier Safety and Hazardous Materials Transportation hearing. Current law requires an attorney represent people appearing before the commission in these matters. This measure passed the House Public Safety Committee and now faces a hearing in the House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee.
In other news, I have been re-elected to serve house District 59 for two more years as no one else filed to run for this seat. I'm grateful for this opportunity to continue working on behalf of the people that call our wonderful district home.
Also recently, I and other area lawmakers recognized athletic teams from Dover, Lomega and Okarche in the House, congratulating them on state championship wins.
The Dover Longhorns boys’ basketball team won the 2026 Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) Class B-II State Championship, the first basketball title in school history. Also recognized was Head Coach Jared Reese who led this team and Kingfisher teams to five state championships.
The Lomega Raiders Girls’ High School Basketball Team won the 2026 OSSAA Class B Basketball State Championship. The team is coached by Kevin Lewallen, who now has won his ninth state title, the most in Oklahoma high school girls basketball history.
The Okarche Warrior High School baseball team won the 2025 OSSAA Class A Fall Baseball State Championship, and the Okarche Warrior High School basketball team won the 2026 OSSAA Class A State Championship. The baseball team is led by coaches Ryan Beaman, Matt Yost and Chris Roby. The basketball team is coached by Aaron West.
Please remember, if I can help you with something, do not hesitate to reach out. You also can follow regular updates on my House Facebook page or call or email anytime at (405) 557-7407 o r Mike.Dobrinski@okhous e.gov.
Mike Dobrinski serves District 59 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Dewey and parts of Blaine, Garfield, Kingfisher and Woodward counties.