Oklahoma City, OK — Oklahoma House Speaker Pro-Tem Anthony Moore says the next three weeks at the State Capitol will be critical in shaping budget decisions and policy priorities for the upcoming legislative session.
Moore, who represents District 57 in western Oklahoma, shared the update during an interview on Exploring Energy on KECO 96.5 FM.
According to Moore, budget hearings are set to begin this week, followed by a concentrated stretch of committee work through the end of January. He said lawmakers will be juggling both policy and fiscal bills during that time.
“Those last two weeks of January are really session extended,” Moore said. “You’ve got policy bills and fiscal bills. Fiscal bills go through appropriations and budget, and all of the policy subcommittees will have hearings the third week of January.”
Moore said the fourth week of January will focus on what he called the “big five” state agencies, which traditionally receive the most attention during budget discussions.
Despite ongoing revenue conversations, Moore said the overall outlook for the state budget remains steady.
“We’re expecting a pretty flat year on budget,” he said. “We’re not cutting, so I’m pretty happy about that.”
Moore noted that Governor Kevin Stitt has called for flat budget requests across state agencies, even as lawmakers face more than $1.7 billion in requested increases. Moore said that figure is unrealistic and that legislators are instead looking for ways to manage spending while returning money to taxpayers.
“Obviously that’s not going to happen,” Moore said. “The question becomes, where can we cut and give back to taxpayers.”
During the interview, Moore also highlighted his working relationship with fellow western Oklahoma lawmaker Nick Archer. Moore credited the partnership with helping represent the region effectively during demanding legislative sessions.
“I could not ask for a better partner than Nick Archer,” Moore said. “Our strong suits are different and we play off each other well. Our word is our bond, and we’re pulling the rope the same direction.”
As Speaker Pro-Tem, Moore serves on every House committee, a role he described as nonstop.
“There will be thousands of bills,” Moore said. “There are no days off on the calendar.”
The Oklahoma legislative session formally begins in early February, with committee work and budget negotiations already well underway.
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