Oklahoma Republicans leaders are cheering their budget deal, but who does it really help?

Oklahoma Republicans leaders are cheering their budget deal, but who does it really help?

Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, and House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, shake hands during an announcement of a 2026 budget deal on May 14 at the state Capitol. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)Judging by all the backpatting we witnessed last week, Oklahoma’s Republican legislative leaders want us to believe their latest budget deal will make our state a beacon of prosperity . In reality, it feels a lot like the opposite…