Last week the Oklahoma legislature passed the 2022 fiscal year budget. The total budget is $8.8 billion, an increase of +14.3% over last year’s $7.7 billion. Oklahoma has a ‘balanced budget’ amendment in the state constitution. The legislature can’t spend more than revenue than they take in, but in the past five years the legislature has passed historical tax increases that have resulted in an increase of over $1.1 billion in revenue.

The fallout from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that declared a tribal reservation was never disestablished in Oklahoma has now led lawmakers to create a new fund to cover millions of dollars in anticipated state legal expenses.

• Statewide Oklahoma NRCS Webinar to include information on the Environmental Quality Incentives Program Conservation Incentive Contract, Farm Bill updates, Simple Steps to Apply for NRCS Programs and much more on June 8

Five Oklahoma agriculture groups have formed a task force to develop solutions to the issues facing farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses from the exponential growth of the medical marijuana industry across Oklahoma.

OKLAHOMA CITY –– The Oklahoma State Department of Health is mobilizing a fleet of wellness units and vans to help provide public health services in every corner of our state. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated and expanded this initiative, allowing us to reach undeserved communities with vital services, including the COVID-19 vaccine.

• Free teen tobacco and vape quit materials for Oklahoma schools, health care providers OKLAHOMA CITY –– My Life, My Quit, a text-based tobacco cessation program designed specifically for youth, has new educational materials available free for schools and health care providers to use in their interactions with students and patients ages 13-17. My Life, My Quit is a program of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET).