OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) — The Oklahoma House of Representatives on Wednesday approved the general appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2027, advancing a state budget plan that includes the largest investment in education in state history while increasing funding for mental health services, health care and other core agencies.
The measure passed the House floor by a 76–18 vote and now serves as the framework for funding state agencies in the coming fiscal year.
At the center of the plan is a $232 million increase for common education, supporting teacher pay raises and initiatives aimed at strengthening early literacy and math education. Legislative leaders said the investment represents the biggest single-year commitment to education in state history.
“This budget reflects our commitment to investing in Oklahoma’s future while remaining responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars,” House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R‑Bristow, said in a statement released after the vote. “By making historic investments in education while maintaining a disciplined approach to spending, this plan focuses on the core priorities that matter most to Oklahomans and ensures we are using public funds wisely.”
Beyond education, the budget increases funding for the Department of Mental Health to support obligations tied to the state’s ongoing consent decree. Additional allocations are directed to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority due to increased Medicaid utilization and to the Department of Human Services for the Advantage waiver, SNAP program changes, and child care teacher recruitment and retention.
House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Trey Caldwell, R‑Faxon, emphasized transparency and early collaboration throughout the budget process, which began months ahead of the legislative session.
“We started working on this budget in July of 2025 and I have had open office hours that began in February so members could talk through their requests and hesitations,” Caldwell said. “I have made it my mission to make this budget process the most transparent in state history. Every detail of this budget is about making Oklahoma better than it was the year before.”
Caldwell acknowledged the inherent tradeoffs of budgeting but said the plan represents meaningful progress for the state.
“There is never a perfect budget, but I am certain that this moves our state forward,” he said.
Hilbert said House leadership remained focused on delivering a balanced approach as negotiations moved forward.
“Oklahomans expect us to lead, and that means coming to the table with solutions,” Hilbert said. “Throughout this process, leadership has remained focused on delivering a responsible budget that protects services without unnecessary spending increases.”
Additional details on the FY27 budget are available through the Oklahoma House Fiscal Portal.
