Southwestern Oklahoma to see transportation, infrastructure improvement under new budget

Southwest Ledger 

By M. Scott Carter July 8, 2025

OKLAHOMA CITY – The $12.6 billion budget for fiscal year 2026 will increase education spending and fund improvements for county roads, bridges and infrastructure in southwestern Oklahoma, the chairman of the House Appropriates and Budget committee said.

Lawmakers said they will also spend more than $300 million to buy a private prison in Lawton.

The budget – which was passed this spring by the Oklahoma Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt – represents about a 0.56% increase in spending from FY 2025 and includes a quarter-point cut in the personal income tax rate.

'It's not a Governor's budget. It's not a House budget. It's not a Senate budget. But it is the best budget that we put together to make Oklahoma a top 10 state and the most business-friendly state and take care of some priorities that are really important to Oklahomans,' the governor said in late May when the budget was finalized.

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