OPEA

According to the report released on Tuesday, Oklahoma revenue collections for Fiscal Year 2010 showed the biggest decrease in state history. Preliminary reports show the state General Revenue Fund collections for Fiscal Year 2010 were $4.6 billion, which is $945 million or 17 percent below the prior year.

“The state has experienced the hardest year on record,” said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley. “The burden has been on state employees to continue providing services in spite of record staffing cuts and meager resources. While the RIFs have not been as bad as they could have been, the loss of any state job impacts not only the employee and their family, but the loss of a dedicated public servant to the people of Oklahoma.”

OPEA is still gathering data on the full impact of the recession on state employment. The retirement system has processed a record number of retirement applications and agencies have left hundreds of positions open to save money.

“In addition to hundreds of employees leaving state agencies, the demand for services has increased,” continued Zearley. “State services are the safety net for Oklahomans struggling through the recession.”

Meacham said the coming fiscal year promises to be brighter.

“The worst is definitely behind us,” he said. “The coming fiscal year promises to be much better as economic activity and resulting state revenue collections have begun to show improvement."

However, David Blatt of the Oklahoma Policy Institute, cautioned that Oklahoma still has rough times ahead. He indicated the budget for the current year was balanced with $1 billion in one-time funds that will not be available next year.

“While I don’t expect another round of midyear budget cuts like agencies were forced to undergo last year, state leaders will again be faced with a serious challenge next session,” said Blatt.