State lawmakers start approving items for new $12.5 billion budget

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Lawmakers have started the process to vote on each item in the fiscal year 2026 state budget. Governor Kevin Stitt and House and Senate leaders announced the $12.59 billion budget last week.

In the House Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget, lawmakers voted to move forward with using $312 million in taxpayer dollars to buy the state’s only privately-run prison, the Lawton Correctional Facility.

Representative Trey Caldwell (R-Faxon) is the House committee chair. He said the purchase was a request from Gov. Stitt and called it a smart move.

"If we were to go out and build a similar like any kind of facility somewhere in Oklahoma would be somewhere in the tune of $1.3 to $2 billion," said Caldwell.

The GEO Group has owned and operated the prison for years. The facility houses 2,300 inmates. Last year, the GEO Group announced it was not renewing its contract with the state. The prison has recently had issues with overcrowding and violence, not to mention a bumpy relationship with Gov. Stitt.

Democratic lawmakers wondered if the move was best.

"Have there been any efforts to try to reconcile whatever the differences are?" said Rep. Meloyde Blancett (D-Tulsa).

Rep. Caldwell responded by saying that both sides could point out wrongdoing.

"I think our job as a legislature is looking at problems and trying to find solutions going forward," said Caldwell.

Lawmakers ultimately voted to move the measure forward. It will now go for a vote on the House floor.