It’s the Christmas season and Oklahoma state agencies have put together their wish lists for the upcoming year. 

Each year before the legislative session begins and budget talks officially start, state agencies submit budget requests to the Legislature for consideration. Last year the Legislature appropriated $12.47 billion for fiscal year 2025. Agencies are now requesting an additional $854 million on top of that.  

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education requested the most in total dollars with an increase of $467 million, mostly for capital improvements at various colleges and universities. Some other notable high-dollar-amount requests were the OSU Veterinary Medical Authority requesting an additional $306 million (an increase of 779 percent) and the University Hospital Authority requesting an additional $250 million.

In percentage terms, the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority had the biggest request with a 3,122 percent increase, or $28 million. The State Election Board requested an increase of 290 percent for new devices and systems.