Texas County GOP warns State Question 844 could hit local funding

Texas County Republicans are warning that State Question 844 could change how much money flows back to county and school budgets when manufacturers receive property-tax breaks. The measure would not end Oklahoma’s five-year exemption for qualifying manufacturing facilities, but it would require lawmakers to write a reimbursement method for local governments that lose revenue under the incentive.

State Question 844 is legislative referendum 378. The Oklahoma Secretary of State received and numbered it on April 13, 2026 after Enrolled House Joint Resolution 1087 sent the proposal to voters. The amendment would change Article 10, Section 6B of the Oklahoma Constitution.

For Texas County, Guymon and nearby communities, the issue is whether lost property-tax revenue would be repaid quickly enough to protect day-to-day spending. County governments use those dollars for road work, the sheriff’s office, emergency response and other visible services, while school districts depend on local collections to keep classrooms staffed and buildings maintained. If the Legislature writes a narrow reimbursement formula, local officials would still face shortfalls; if it covers more of the loss, the state would pick up a larger share of the bill.

The proposal could cost counties and Oklahoma schools millions of dollars.

Voters will decide State Question 844 on the Aug. 25 primary runoff ballot, alongside another statewide question. A public drawing in Oklahoma City on July 8 set the ballot order for the runoff.