The state of Oklahoma is expected to declare a revenue failure for the remainder of this fiscal year. The Board of Equalization is meeting soon to make the declaration, allowing lawmakers to tap into the Rainy Day Fund which has about $806 million in it.
State officials blame falling oil prices, delaying tax payments until July and closed businesses from the coronavirus pandemic which cuts into sales taxes and raises unemployment.
Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson says he doesn’t expect agency cuts or furloughs as a result of the revenue failure declaration.
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A Norman nursing home where two residents died from COVID-19 has shown more positive tests. Officials at Grace Skilled Nursing and Therapy announced the new positive tests but declined to give details.
The new cases are in addition to the two residents who died after being hospitalized and the seven residents who tested positive for COVID-19 last week.
If conditions warrant, the facility’s medical director is treating impacted patients with an anti-malarial drug touted by President Trump and approved over the weekend by the FDA.