Budget Process
Budget Overview
The process of crafting the state’s budget spans two years. During the first year, state agencies, the Governor, and the Legislature collaborate to produce a budget. Once adopted by the State Legislature and signed into law by the Governor, the budget is enacted and operational for the entire second year.
The new budget’s enactment date is July 1, the start of Oklahoma’s fiscal year. This date marks the beginning of the budget’s operational period, which lasts until the end of the fiscal year, June 30. While one budget is operational, the planning for the upcoming year’s budget is ongoing.
FY 2025 Education Appropriations
For fiscal year 2025, the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s budget is $3.86 billion, which is 30.9% of the state’s total budget. The education appropriations include:
- $26.3 million increase in state aid
- $2.65 million for paid student teaching
- $4.8 million for maternity leave
- $31.6 million increase for career tech
Fiscal year 2025 started July 1, 2024 and lasts until June 30, 2025.
Total State Spending
Education Budget Timeline
Budget Preparations
The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) begins preparing its agency budget proposal.
STEP 1JULY 1OSDE Submits Agency Budget
The OSDE's gains board approval of its internal budget and submits the proposal to the Office of Management and Enterprise (OMES) for review.
STEP 2SEPTEMBEROMES Reviews & Evaluates
OMES considers OSDE's budget proposal and the budget proposals from all other state agencies and advises the Governor on budgetary concerns.
STEP 3OCTOBER-DECEMBERBoard of Equalization
The Board of Equalization meets and estimates the state's total revenue for the upcoming fiscal year.
STEP 4DECEMBERGovernor's Executive Budget
After consulting with OMES and the Board of Equalization, the Governor finalizes his executive budget and presents it to the Legislature, ususally during the annual State of the State Address.
STEP 5FEBRUARYThe Legislature's Budget
The Oklahoma Legislature convenes in February and considers budgetary recommendations from state agencies, the Governor, and the public throughout the legislative session.
STEP 6FEBRUARY -MAYFinal Negotiations
As May arrives and the Oklahoma Legislative Session nears its end, final budget negotiations between legislative leaders and the Governor intensify.
STEP 7MAYFinal Signature
The Governor has the authority to sign or veto the Legislature's budget. If the Governor signs, the budget is complete; if the Governor vetoes, it must return to the Legislature for further consideration.
step 9MAY-JUNEThe Enacted Budget
The new budget becomes operational at the start of the fiscal year, July 1, and remains operational until the end of the fiscal year, June 30.
STEP 10JULY 1