Trooper pay raise among first new laws for 2015

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – An across-the-board pay hike for state troopers is among several new state laws that take effect January 1st.

Although most new laws take effect on November 1st or shortly after the governor’s signature, about a dozen measures have an effective date that coincides with the calendar year.

The pay raises for troopers will average between 14 and 20 percent and cost the state about $8.5 million when fully annualized. A starting trooper who currently makes about $38,000 will see his or her pay boosted to more than $43,000 under the bill.

Because the tax year coincides with the calendar year, many of the new laws that take effect Jan. 1 deal with taxes, including tax credits for scholarship contributions and the construction of affordable housing.