Hundreds of Oklahoma state employees get salary increases over $5,000

Hundreds of state employees got pay increases of $5,000 or more in 2016 even as Oklahoma faced historic budget problems.

Information provided by the state Office of Management and Enterprise Services showed 554 increases in this category totaling just over $5 million.

The hikes came as appropriations to most state agencies were cut amid a $1.3 billion budget hole created by an oil industry downturn, tax cuts and generous tax credits to industry.

Jonathan Small, president of the conservative Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, said the salary increases show government has been able to function with current revenue.