Higher than expected state revenue numbers came in over the summer, but experts say it’s too soon to tell what impact those numbers will have on higher education.

Oklahoma finished the fiscal year, which ended June 30, with $82.8 million in funds that had not already been earmarked. In July, the state also received $30.4 million more than expected, according to the Oklahoma State Treasurer’s Office.

There was some growth in the state’s economy in spite of a downturn on the national level, said Oklahoma State Treasurer Scott Meacham.

“We are a resource-rich state when it comes to energy,” he said. “When energy prices are up, our economy does very well and our state revenue does very well.”

Every spring, the state Legislature appropriates state revenue to be spent on agencies or programs. This year, the State Regents for Higher Education received about $1 billion, which was divided between 25 colleges and universities, including OU.

This year, because of a dip in revenue last fall, higher education took a pay cut. Legislators approved a nearly-flat budget with most agencies receiving little or no additional funding.

With a current surplus and revenue flowing in at a rate higher than expected, it’s possible that OU could see more money in the future, said Jay Doyle, press secretary and special assistant to OU President David L. Boren.

However, Doyle cautioned that recent gains could be countered by an economic downturn in the future.

“This month was up, the next month could be down,” said.

Doyle said OU is expecting another flat budget for next year. Earlier this month, Boren announced a hiring freeze intended to offset the effects of another year of meager appropriations.

However, Meacham remains confident that high energy prices will spur other state revenue. Oil and gas royalty owners will get paid, more workers will join drill sites and they will all spend more sales tax dollars at the checkout counter.

“I’m more optimistic about the economy, more about this year than the last,” he said.

Since 2006, the legislature has cut the individual income tax rate to 5.5 percent. Meacham said that with cuts in the income tax rate, which is typically stable, the state must rely more on revenue based on the price of oil and natural gas.

“If you just cut income taxes, you’ll face more volatility,” he said.