State revenues are up, thanks to the expansion of exploration and production in Oklahoma’s energy industry.

State tax revenues in August grew by almost 20 percent over the year, State Treasurer Randy McDaniel said.

Total monthly receipts of $1.17 billion are higher than August of last year by $191.2 million, or 19.5 percent. Collections from the production tax on oil and natural gas are up by more than 150 percent.

Individual income tax, sales and use tax, and motor vehicle receipts also grew by double digits during the month.

McDaniel said, “In regard to the energy industry, demand continues to be strong worldwide.”

President Joe Biden is doing his best to throttle the oil and natural gas business. He has canceled pipelines and is working feverishly to eliminate America’s energy independence, which was achieved under former President Trump.

Instead, Biden and his minions are pushing their faulty climate change agenda, which really is just a wealth redistribution plan that seeks to rob wealth from productive Americans and spread it overseas.

Biden’s gigantic tax increase would punish oil and natural gas and promote wind and solar power.

The bottom line is incredible increases of the cost of energy for Americans.

Natural gas is cheap and burns cleanly. Oil is not only an energy source but the basis of many useful products. Oil and natural gas are critical for our national defense and our balance of trade.

Clean energy is good for America and it is very important in Oklahoma.