We are now in the final month of the 2024 legislative session, and budget talks are well underway at the state Capitol.here it is 10 largest state agencies Regarding national spending:
- Ministry of Education
- Oklahoma State Department of Health
- Director of Higher Education
- Ministry of Transport
- Ministry of Welfare
- Department of Corrections
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
- Department of Career and Technology Education
- Ministry of Public Security
- Management and Enterprise Services Department
State spending has increased by 31% over the past 20 years (adjusted for inflation). But today, let's take a look at each of these 10 agencies specifically, starting with the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Since 2004, its total spending (adjusted for inflation) has increased by $767 million (23%).
Source: Oklahoma Annual comprehensive financial report; Oklahoma House of Representatives Financial Summary; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI inflation calculator
Looking at year-on-year changes, we see that spending levels remained relatively flat until 2019. Since 2019, the Department of Education has grown by 29%, adjusted for inflation. It is important to note how much of an impact inflation has had. On a nominal basis (i.e., not adjusted for inflation), the Department of Education has received an additional $1.5 billion in funding since fiscal year 2018.
Source: Oklahoma Annual comprehensive financial report; Oklahoma House of Representatives Financial Summary; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI inflation calculator
