Oklahoma State Question 587, Balanced Budget Amendment (April 1985)

Oklahoma State Question 587
Election date April 30, 1985
Topic Balanced budget requirements
Status Approved
Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment	Origin State legislature

Oklahoma State Question 587 was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Oklahoma on April 30, 1985. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported requiring a balanced budget by limiting annual spending to 95% of estimated income, capping annual spending growth at 12% after inflation, establishing a reserve fund for excess revenue, and restricting reserve fund usage.

A "no" vote opposed requiring a balanced budget by limiting annual spending to 95% of estimated income, capping annual spending growth at 12% after inflation, establishing a reserve fund for excess revenue, and restricting reserve fund usage.

Election results

Oklahoma State Question 587
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		405,775	66.61%
No		203,369	33.39%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for State Question 587 was as follows:

“

This measure requires a balanced budget. This measure amends Section 23 of Article X of the Oklahoma Constitution. It changes the method which determines how much tax money may be spent each year. It limits the amount that may be spent to ninety-five percent (95%) of estimated income. It further limits any increase in the amount to be spent to twelve percent (12%) annual growth, after inflation. The measure provides a method to change the amounts that may be spent based on changes in law or changes in business conditions. Extra money would be placed in a reserve fund. The measure limits the ways that reserve funds can be spent. It directs that the limit on income to be spent in the next fiscal year be changed to conform to this measure.

”

Path to the ballot

See also: Amending the Oklahoma Constitution

A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Oklahoma State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 51 votes in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and 24 votes in the Oklahoma State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

See also

1985 Measures

• 1985 Measures
• Balanced budget requirements on the ballot
• 1985 legislative sessions

Oklahoma

• Oklahoma ballot measures
• Oklahoma ballot measure laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls

External links

• Oklahoma State Questions