The State of Oklahoma has had a record amount of revenue in 2018.

That is indisputable, even though some liberal pundits think the billion-dollar-plus budget surplus is “fake news.”

It’s not. The numbers are there. The money is in the state treasury. Hundreds of millions of dollars are pouring into the state Rainy Day Fund.

And this rise in revenue started before the biggest tax increase in state history showed up on the books.

This is good news for Oklahoma and for Gov.-elect Kevin Stitt and the Legislature.

Where should this windfall wind up?

Here are two suggestions.

First, pay down some of the state’s bonded indebtedness. This will take pressure off the general fund for years and years.

This probably won’t happen because of pressure from the liberal media to spend every dime on growing government.

Secondly, a good portion should go to the state’s retirement fund. Under Republican leadership (from the Legislature, not the governor), the retirement funds for teachers and other public employees has stabilized.

It must be fully funded so the state can fulfill its promise to public employees.

This, too, probably won’t happen because politicians like to “kick the can down the road.” They think it’s better to buy votes with dollars than take steps toward fiscally responsibility. Let’s hope Gov. Stitt can prevail with fiscal conservatism.