State House Speaker Lance Cargill and State Treasurer Scott Meacham are often mentioned as candidates for the 2010 Oklahoma governor's race. Both are far from making such an announcement but the handwriting is beginning to appear on the Capitol walls.
Mr. Meacham, who also serves as the state's finance director, says it appears the available growth revenue amounts to about $32 million. Mr. Cargill told a Tulsa audience the figure is closer to $300 million but didn't provide specifics as to how he arrived at that total.
Late last year, the state's Board of Equalization certified only $32 million in new growth money. The state's Constitution requires lawmakers to produce a balanced budget each year.
The Tulsa World quotes Mr. Meacham as saying the $32 million will be available after commitments made by previous legislative sessions are paid. Those include the OHLAP free tuition program, $50 million for roads and other commitments.
