$546,000 in new funding was appropriated to the State Auditor and Inspector to fully fund current operations and replace data processing equipment.

$1.8 million was approved for the Oklahoma Tax Commission to fully fund current operations and better serve taxpayers. Last session a veto caused an FY'97 funding crunch that resulted in delayed tax returns to Oklahomans.

$240,000 was appropriated to the Governor's office for increased operational costs.

$4,580 was appropriated to the Lt. Governor's office for increased operational costs.

$50,000 was provided to the Ethics Commission to fully fund operations and improve services to the public, press and regulated officials. This increases the Commissions operating budget by 15.6% over the FY'97 level.

HB 1895 raises the salaries of various public officials. Key components include:

• Governor's salary is increased from $70,000 to $101,140 effective after the 1998 general election.
  
  
• Attorney General's salary is increased from $75,000 to $94,349 effective after the 1998 general election.
  
  
• Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and presiding judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals are increased from $96,500 to $101,140 effective 1998.
  
  
• District judges' pay is increased from $82,000 to $88,511 effective 1998.
  
  
• Cabinet secretaries' salaries were increased as follows: Finance secretary from $70,691 to $90,000; Health and Human Services from $66,950 to $80,000; and Safety and Security from $68,174 to $85,000.