Oklahoma Lawmaker Criticizes Hefty Pay Raises for State Officials

Rep. Andy Fugate calls salaries "outrageous" and "really, really bad" compared to other state employees

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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An Oklahoma state lawmaker is criticizing decisions by Gov. Kevin Stitt's administration to award hefty pay raises and salaries to some state officials, including a 112% increase for the new head of the Department of Commerce and a nearly 40% raise for the state's agriculture secretary. Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, says the raises look "really, really bad" when most state employees are paid significantly less than their private sector counterparts.

Why it matters

The pay raises for top state officials come at a time when many rank-and-file state employees have not received general pay increases since 2019, with a recent report finding state employee pay is 48.05% below market rate. The discrepancy has raised concerns about fairness and the state's ability to attract and retain talent across all levels of government.

The details

According to a report by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, 18 chief executive officers in Stitt's administration received pay increases of 10% or more in fiscal year 2025. This includes John Budd III, who was hired to fill a newly created post at the Department of Commerce with a $300,000 salary - 112% more than the prior agency head. Meanwhile, Blayne Arthur, who runs the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, received a nearly 40% pay hike on top of a 14.29% raise the prior year, bringing her current salary to $223,750.

  • In fiscal year 2025, 18 state officials received pay increases of 10% or more.
  • John Budd III was hired to a new $300,000 position at the Department of Commerce in fiscal year 2025.
  • Blayne Arthur, the Oklahoma agriculture secretary, received a nearly 40% pay raise in fiscal year 2025, on top of a 14.29% raise the prior year.

The players

Rep. Andy Fugate

A Democratic state representative from Del City, Oklahoma who is criticizing the hefty pay raises awarded to some state officials by Gov. Kevin Stitt's administration.

John Budd III

The new head of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, hired to a newly created $300,000 position - a 112% increase over the prior agency leader's salary.

Blayne Arthur

The Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture who received a nearly 40% pay hike in fiscal year 2025, on top of a 14.29% raise the prior year, bringing her current salary to $223,750.

Kevin Stitt

The Republican governor of Oklahoma whose administration awarded the hefty pay raises to some state officials.

Tevis Hillis

A spokesperson for Gov. Kevin Stitt.

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What they’re saying

“I'm tired of hearing our governor talk about how we don't have money for things and we need a flat budget when it's very clear that his agencies are not acting in that same manner.”

— Rep. Andy Fugate, State Representative (The Oklahoman)

“Renaming somebody's position to CEO in the name of giving them a pay raise is just offensive.”

— Rep. Andy Fugate, State Representative (The Oklahoman)

“Budd is the first chief executive officer following the passage of a new law restructuring the agency. It requires that Budd be compensated 'in a manner that compares equally to similar positions in the private sector.'”

— Chase Horn, Spokesperson, Oklahoma Department of Commerce (The Oklahoman)

What’s next

The Oklahoma Legislature is expected to hold hearings to further examine the pay raises awarded to state officials by the Stitt administration.

The takeaway

This controversy highlights the stark pay disparity between top state officials and rank-and-file state employees, raising questions about fairness, fiscal responsibility, and the state's ability to attract and retain talent across all levels of government.