OKLAHOMA CITY, Ok. - The amount of money for the state to spend in the new fiscal year jumps by $293.2 million dollars, according to numbers certified by the State Board of Equalization. Governor Henry calls it good news. "Our revenues still continue to trend upward and it appears by all accounts that we are slowly pulling out of the national recession," Henry says. State Finance Director Michael Clingman says the additional money comes from areas like added gross production and sales taxes, and from increased fees approved by the Legislature this year.

(Oklahoma City, Ok)--May revenue collections exceeded prior year collections and the official estimate, adding another month to the trend of continued improvement in the Oklahoma economy, State Treasurer Scott Meacham said. The collections, Meacham said, show brighter economic times are returning to the Sooner State. Preliminary reports show General Revenue Fund collections for May were $378.7 million. That amount is: $21.6 million or 6 percent above the prior year; and $27.5 million or 7.8 percent above the official estimate. Driven by strong collections in Gross Production taxes, May collections topped both the prior year and estimate for only the second time this fiscal year. Sales tax collections, often viewed as a reflection of consumer confidence, also showed substantial growth, Meacham said. Net income taxes remained below the prior year and estimate primarily due to lower estimated tax payments during the month.

(Tulsa, Ok)--It is not the end of the downturn, but plans by several Tulsa companies to boost hiring is a positive sign. At a news conference at the Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce officials with eight firms estimate they will be hiring about 361 employees this year. The hiring has already started in some cases. So far this year the companies have added over 100 new jobs. The companies include Quick Trip, U.S Cellular, Bearwood Concepts, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Geophysical Research, M&M Manufacturing, and Parkside Hospital and Clinic. The Department of Commerce estimates 80 percent of all new jobs come from existing companies.

(Tulsa, Ok)--Those who have lost jobs because of the recession cross all racial and ethnic lines. The National Urban League's annual State of Black America points out unemployment in minority communities is almost twice that of whites. Fresh from the League's national conference in Washington is Tulsa Urban League CEO Marla Mayberry. She says the organization is dedicating itself to preparing people for a new wave of jobs that are developing. Mayberry says this is a national and local priority. The bottom line Mayberry says is job creation is good for everyone. She says it is good for the entire society and people of all races win.

(Tulsa, Ok)--Family and Children's Services of Tulsa marks 85 years of service to the community. Since its founding in 1925 the agency has been a life changer for thousands and helped out family after family deal with various emotional and behavioral problems. Now into its 85th year it is noted the recession is taking a toll on many Tulsans who are turning to Family and Children's Services for help. Development director Susan McCalman says the economic crunch is why they are seeing many more people. She adds many are people that never would have thought of seeking the help in years past. McCalman says the bottom line remains the same. That is to assist individuals and families in a quest to be strong emotionally and self sufficient.

(Tulsa, Ok)--The number of new home construction sites in the Tulsa area tumbled 33% last month when compared to October. However November was still 12% above the starts from a year earlier. The 2010 president of the Homebuilders Association of Greater Tulsa, Gary Soderstrom, remains optimistic about construction for next year. While Tulsa has fared better then most markets through the recession, he says home starts did slow. Now he sees the pace picking up and expects it to continue a steady climb over the next year. Soderstrom says the federal tax credit for second time homebuyers has been a major help for his business.

(Tulsa, Ok) -- The Tulsa Port of Catoosa is weathering the recession reasonably well.  Total shipping for all products in November totaled 171,450 tons, higher than the totals for both September and October.  Nearly 1.8 million tons of freight have travelled through the Port this year, putting the Port close to its 2008 total shiping figure of two million tons.  Inbound shipments of fertilizer were three times higher than the previous months total for that commodity.  And similar increases were also seen in outbound shipments of soy products.

(Tulsa, Ok)--Wanted: 5,000 Oklahomans to work on the census. Manager of the U.S Census office in Tulsa, Joseph Goodwin, says filling the positions nationwide marks the largest peace time mobilization ever. This comes at a time many people are losing work thanks to the recession. To apply Goodwin says you first call 1-866-861-2010. He points out the jobs are part time and intermittent. He compares the employment opportunity to opening up several factories at the same time in the state. Most of the jobs in Oklahoma will be available from now through next summer. The national deadline to complete the census is December 31, 2010. 

 

(Tulsa, Ok)--Dogs, or at least their owners, are asked to give Santa a hand. The Tulsa Salvation Army is around 1000 toys short of giving all the children on their list a Merry Christmas. The recession has increased the need, donations are down 20 percent, and a usually reliable annual toy drive did not pan out this year. Man's best friend could save Christmas this year. Morgan Blevins has organized the 1st annual Bark Park Toy Drive. She wants dog lovers to take their pets to one of Tulsa's two Bark Parks on Saturday and bring a new toy to donate. The toy drive will be from 11am to 3pm at Joe Station Bark Park 2279 Charles Page Blvd., and at Hunter Park-Biscuit Acres 5804 East 91st Street. Toys can also be dropped off at all area BOK locations.

(Tulsa, Ok)--As temperatures cool the Tulsa Community Service Council's Weather Coaltion reviews procedures in case frigid conditions prompt the opening of emergency shelters. But this year the Council's Jim Lyall says a crisis of a different sort has their attention. The economic downturn has increased requests for food, clothing, and at times shelter for many who before now had not been counted in the ranks of the needy. Lyall says the Council is reworking its emergency shelter plans to include a recession related scenario. 

(Tulsa, Ok)--Over the last several months the Oklahoma Animal Protection Association has noted the number of reported animal abuse and neglect cases have gone up. The association's Stephen Eberle says the hike in reports is directly linked to the economic downturn. Eberle says most reports turn out to be a case of animal neglect where owners are themselves struggling due to the recession and are unable to properly care for their animals.

(Tulsa, Ok)--He closely tracks the price of natural gas. Oklahoma State Treasurer Scott Meachum says as long as natural gas prices are down, Oklahoma's economy will struggle. He points out it is inevitable that the state will dip into the rainy day fund. Meachum says it is the way to ease the state's recession pain. The question is how much to take from the fund and when to do it. Meachum thinks it will be soon. He also does not think it is wise to call a special session of the legislature to do it. The Treasurer says special sessions are expensive and we can avoid shelling out that money and still use the emergency account.

(Tulsa, Ok)--With the recent emphasis on renewing downtowns, inner city neighborhoods are looking to spruce up as well. The first problem after coming up with an idea is how to pay for it. Tulsa landscape architect Greg Warren addressed the issue during the annual conference of the Oklahoma Municipal League. While neighborhood revitalization during a recession is tough, Warren says it is still possible. New funding sources may be the key. Warren tells neighobrhood groups to look into private foundtions that often join in city improvement projects. Another way he suggests is shifting public dollars. An example he shared during the conference was money set aside to tear down dilapidated houses could also be used to turn the area into a park. Warren says it takes creativity, but it can be done.

(Tulsa, Ok)--Many may be feeling the economic pinch from the financial downturn, but Steve Campbell is hopeful that could wind up improving attendance at the annual Oklahoma Scottish Festival in Tulsa this weekend. September and October are big months for ethnic festivals in Tulsa and this year all are concerned about the impact of the recession. Campbell expects over 15,000 people will show up for the 30th annual Scot Fest on the west bank of the Arkansas River starting Friday. Campbell says people are looking for entertainment close to home in order to save money and local festivals may fill the bill. The Scottish event has like other festivals had to deal with some sponsors dropping out, but Campell remains optimistic this will be a good festival season for Tulsa.

(Tulsa, Ok)--The number of calls into 2-1-1 Helpline, the Tulsa area referral service linking people in need to assistance agencies, takes a big jump up. Jim Lyall with the Community Service Council oversees Helpline. He says the increase in calls reflects the economic downturn. Last year Helpline averaged nine thousand calls a month. This year it has risen by another third. In June there were twelve thousand calls into Helpline. Lyall says 62% of the callers are using the service for the first time. He adds there is no sign the number of calls will taper off soon.    

(Tulsa, Ok)--Oklahoma like most states enjoys the boost in funds for state projects in the form of Federal stimulus dollars. A reminder from David Blatt with the Oklahoma Policy Institute. He says that source of funding has its limits. Blatt says after another year of stimulus cash, states will again be on their own in many cases. The Institute, a state program watchdog group, is concerned Oklahoma will not be able to pay for the normal increasing costs of essential state services. It will work out if, as the stimulus dries up, the recession ends. But Blatt says state leaders should not bank on that. He says now is the time to develop programs to maintain services needed by citizens.

(Tulsa, Ok)--The colorful arts and crafts, the great food, and the crowds. It is a middle of May weekend and this must be Mayfest. This year the artists selling their work are keeping a close eye on the bottom line. We asked several how the recession is affecting their arts fair circuit. Dale Robbins from Missouri first said there was no impact. Then he paused and admitted sales have been slower in recent months. An artist from Kansas City, Steve Lohr, says he has adjusted the prices for his work, but refused to agree that means he has lowered prices. Lohr says that simply means he is remaining competive at arts fairs. Both Lohr and Robbins say the people walking the steets at Mayfest this year seem to be willing to buy and not just look.

(Oklahoma City, OK) - State revenue is dropping like a rock.  The state's overall income in April was 21.1% short of what had been estimated and 21.7% under what was collected last year.  Across the board cuts for all state agencies could be coming this fiscal year but State Treasurer Scott Meacham says that can be avoided if collections next month are no more than 20.5% below projections.  The drop in revenue is down across the board.  Only state sales tax income was above where it was last April but still fell short of the estimate by 5.3%.  The gross production tax on oil and natural gas was short of what was expected by 54.1% and both the personal and corporate income tax collections were off by over 20%.  Meacham says the numbers reflect the national recession and its effects on Oklahoma.

(Tulsa, Ok) -- Proceed with caution. Veteran market watchers applaud the recent stock surge. But they warn the coast is not nesessarily clear. Jake Dollarhide is Co-Founder of Longbow Asset Management in Tulsa.  He says it's possible we could re-test market lows between now and fall.  The S&P 500 and the Dow 30 Industrials have risen 7 of the past 8 weeks. But Dollarhide predicts we won't likely emerge from the recession until 2010.

(Tulsa, Ok)--A prediction from a Midwest U.S business watcher that the recession will be deeper and worse then one that hit eight years ago. Also the report says Oklahoma will feel the pinch. Author of the monthly business survey is Creighton University economics professor Doctor Ernie Goss. He points out efforts to ease the economic crunch may actually cause additional problems down the road. Goss anticipates a serious round of inflation in 2010. On the up side Goss says the current recession is not hitting Oklahoma as much as other parts of the Midwest and Plains, but it will still mean cutbacks, layoffs, and business closings. For at least the first half of 2009 Goss predicts more belt tightening from the business community.

(Tulsa, Ok)--The bottom line is the Oklahoma economy is going to get worse before it gets better. In his Mid-America Economic Survey, Creighton University's Ernie Goss finds more evidence the region that includes Oklahoma is in a recession. The economist says the state's economy may turn more sour then what Oklahoma experienced during a recession in 1981 and 1982. Also getting out of the "econ funk" is at best seven to eight months away.