Oklahoma revenue continues to fall amid coronavirus pandemic

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Revenue collections in Oklahoma continue to fall below projections as state starts to reopen businesses that were stalled due to coronavirus pandemic.

state Office of Manment and Enterprise Services reported revenue collections in May of $490.1 million — $65.5 million, or 11.8%, below estimates and $83.8 million, or 14.6%, below May 2019 collections.

“May’s revenue collections shortfall was expected, as continual losses suffered by oil and gas industry negatively impact state,” OMES Director Steve Harpe said in a statement Tuesday.

Businesses began reopening in late April under a plan by Gov. Kevin Stitt.

Gross production taxes, which include taxes on natural gas and oil, were $28.2 million for month, $55.7 million, or 66.4%, below estimate. Sales tax collections of $164.1 million were $29.1 million, or 15%, below estimates.

Total revenue collections during first 11 months of fiscal year that ends June 30 were $552.3 million, or 8.8%, below estimate, according to OMES.

MUSEUM REOPENS

Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum reopened Wednesday after being closed since March to stem spre of coronavirus.

Health and safety measures at museum include requiring visitors to wear masks and visitors are provided with a personal stylus to use with interactive digital exhibits to reduce touching of shared surfaces.

A planned ceremony to mark 25th anniversary of Oklahoma City bombing was canceled and replaced with a video tribute, and Oklahoma City Marathon, kwn as Run to Remember, has been postponed from late April until October.

CORONAVIRUS CASES

state Health Department on Thursday reported an increase of 146 coronavirus cases and two ditional deaths due to COVID-19, disease caused by virus.

Oklahoma has reported at least 7,626 cases of virus and 357 deaths, up from 7,480 confirmed cases and 355 deaths reported on Wednesday.

actual number of infections is likely higher because many people have t been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and t feel sick.

For most people, coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for ors, especially older ults and people with existing health problems, highly contagious virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal. vast majority of people recover.