The Rainy Day Fund was created in 1985 to protect the state during economic downturns. It was previously called the Constitutional Reserve Fund.
On this day in 2005, taxpayers even got a rebate from the fund.
Rebate checks totaling about $92 million from the state’s “rainy day” reserve fund were to be mailed to 1.24 million Oklahoma taxpayers within a few days, Gov. Brady Henry announced.
The rebates ranged from $45 for individuals or married people filing separately in 2004 to $90 for a surviving spouse, head of a household or married couple filing jointly.
“We know mailboxes are stuffed full this time of year, so we are asking Oklahomans to be on the lookout for a letter from the state of Oklahoma,” Henry said. “It’s something that they will definitely want to open.”
Here's a look back at the balance each year for the past 20 years, according to the Oklahoma Policy Institute(Note: All balances are at the start of each fiscal year):
2001: $157.5 million
Workers with Allied Steel lower part of the new dome atop the State Capitol in Oklahoma City, Friday, Oct. 12, 2001. Tulsa World File
2002: $340.9 million
State lawmakers are set to consider House legislation that would boost the prospects of homeless youths.
2003: $72.3 million
"Save Our Schools" stacked on the sidewalk for distribution as the teachers rally proceeds on the south steps of the State Capitol in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2003. Tulsa World File
2004: $0.1 million
On May 6, 2004, participants gather at the Oklahoma state Capitol rotunda for the National Day of Prayer. PAUL HELLSTERN/The Oklahoman
2005: $217.5 million
Gov. Brad Henry delivers the State of the State address at the Oklahoma Capitol in Oklahoma City on Feb 7, 2005. Tulsa World File
2006: $461.3 million
Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry waves to the crowd before beginning his state of the state address at the state Capitol on Feb. 6, 2006. Tulsa World File
2007: $496.7 million
Gov. Brad Henry and the combined Oklahoma House and Senate honor the 45th Infantry Brigade in Oklahoma City, OK, April, 10, 2007. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World File
2008: $571.6 million
Oklahoma Senior Citizens mingle and look over booths set up in the 4th floor rotunda during Senior Citizen's Day at the State Capitol in Oklahoma City, OK, Monday, April 14, 2008. PAUL HELLSTERN/The Oklahoman
2009: $596.6 million
People stand near the lit Christmas tree on the south steps of the Oklahoma state Capitol after the Capitol Christmas tree lighting ceremony was held inside due to inclement weather in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, December 1, 2009. NATE BILLINGS/The Oklahoman
2010: $596.6 million
Members of the governor's cabinet applaud near the end of his speech as Gov. Brad Henry delivers his yearly State of the State message to a joint session of lawmakers in the House chambers at the state Capitol Monday afternoon, Feb, 1, 2010. JIM BECKEL/The Oklahoman
2011: $0
The south steps of the state Capitol are closed due to falling debris in Oklahoma City on October 20, 2011. STEVE GOOCH/The Oklahoman
2012: $249.2 million
The state capitol, in Oklahoma City, on Friday, May 25, 2012. Tulsa World File
2013: $579.5 million
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin delivers her State of the State address in the House of Representatives at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City on Monday, Feb. 4, 2013. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
2014: $537.4 million
Interior of the Oklahoma state Capitol building on Dec 29, 2014. TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World
2015: $537.4 million
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin gets applause from Joel Kintsel, Paul Ziriax, and Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb (from left to right) and others during her State of the State address at the state capitol in Oklahoma City on Monday, Feb. 2, 2015. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
2016: $387.4 million
The exterior of the state Capitol in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Monday, February 1, 2016. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
2017: $242.9 million
A view inside the Oklahoma State Capitol rotunda for Ginnie Graham lobbying story Feb. 23, 2017. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
2018: $96 million
A sign during a Oklahoma teacher walkout rally at the Oklahoma State Capitol April 2, 2018. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
2019: $454 million
The south side, considered the front entrance to the Oklahoma State Capitol building, is shown on July 24, 2019. JIM BECKEL/The Oklahoman
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