Alva Review-Courier -

Well, we are about halfway through this legislative session. I would like to take time this week to look at the funding picture that exists and the impact all the bills that have made it halfway to getting to the governor’s desk could have on our state budget.

The state is in good shape at the current time. Our unemployment rate is about 3 percent as compared to 6.2 percent in 2011. Also, the state tax burden has continued to decrease to the current level at 4.7 percent of Oklahoman’s personal income. This compares to over 7 percent in 1997 and 5.5 percent in 2011. Oil production in the state...