First-time unemployment claims in Oklahoma have dropped for the first time since mid-March.
Just under 49,000 Oklahomans filed for unemployment last week, down from 60,000 in the previous week.
For the week ending March 21 through this past Saturday, nearly 180,000 Oklahomans have filed first-time claims. The state has paid out $138 million in unemployment insurance so far in April.
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The State Supreme Court is calling on the State Board of Equalization to respond to a lawsuit by the legislature.
Justices are calling for oral arguments on Tuesday after legislative leaders asked the court to force the board to meet and declare a revenue failure. The declaration is needed to tap the Rainy Day Account to fund the government through June, but Governor Kevin Stitt refused to call a meeting after lawmakers failed to fund one of his projects.
Hours after the ruling by the high court, a notice was posted of a special meeting by the State Board of Equalization for Monday afternoon.
