Budget & Tax

Too much manpower

February 11, 2009

Brandon Dutcher

Oklahoma's budget hole is now $900 million, The Oklahoman's Michael McNutt reports today, adding that State Treasurer Scott Meacham "could not guarantee no state jobs would be cut, although he is hoping any loss of state manpower would be accomplished by not filling vacant positions."

Oklahoma's ratio of government employment to private-sector employment is the fifth-highest in the country. Bringing this ratio in line with the national average would have saved Oklahoma taxpayers $2.8 billion last year.