Last week the Oklahoma legislature passed the 2022 fiscal year budget. The total budget is $8.8 billion, an increase of +14.3% over last year’s $7.7 billion. Oklahoma has a ‘balanced budget’ amendment in the state constitution. The legislature can’t spend more than revenue than they take in, but in the past five years the legislature has passed historical tax increases that have resulted in an increase of over $1.1 billion in revenue.

The fallout from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that declared a tribal reservation was never disestablished in Oklahoma has now led lawmakers to create a new fund to cover millions of dollars in anticipated state legal expenses.

I can’t remember when I’ve seen so much hustle and bustle in Oklahoma and the Midwest as I’m currently noticing. There’s no doubt that both citizens and business are coming out of a forced hibernation and business shut down as a result of the COVID-19 virus that is on the downturn.

THE HUGO ASSOCIATION OF CLASSROOM TEACHERS recently presented scholarships to two graduating seniors at Hugo High School in the amount of $500 each. The recipients of the HACT scholarships are Taryn Joe and Jennifer Jones. Presenting the scholarships on behalf of HACT is Angie Bruno (right), HACT President.

By Andy and Renie Bowman Comments to: andybowman839@ gmail.com Coffeetimecolumn.com Our family traveled a lot years ago, singing on Sunday morning in churches in another states. Back in those days, when you attended church you were expected to dress more formally than is accepted today.

• Statewide Oklahoma NRCS Webinar to include information on the Environmental Quality Incentives Program Conservation Incentive Contract, Farm Bill updates, Simple Steps to Apply for NRCS Programs and much more on June 8

Five Oklahoma agriculture groups have formed a task force to develop solutions to the issues facing farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses from the exponential growth of the medical marijuana industry across Oklahoma.

OKLAHOMA CITY –– The Oklahoma State Department of Health is mobilizing a fleet of wellness units and vans to help provide public health services in every corner of our state. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated and expanded this initiative, allowing us to reach undeserved communities with vital services, including the COVID-19 vaccine.

• Free teen tobacco and vape quit materials for Oklahoma schools, health care providers OKLAHOMA CITY –– My Life, My Quit, a text-based tobacco cessation program designed specifically for youth, has new educational materials available free for schools and health care providers to use in their interactions with students and patients ages 13-17. My Life, My Quit is a program of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET).

A new era of Hugo Buffalo football is already underway at Gene Nesbit Stadium, as newly appointed Head Coach Krystopher Gross directs the Buffaloes through spring drills. “Our numbers for spring training are good this year,” Coach Gross said during Monday morning drills on a soggy, but well-draining Buff Parker Field.