The Osage Nation Congress passed four appropriation budgets on Friday, January 08, 2010. The budgets were officially enrolled at the Legislative Branch and sent to the Office of the Chief for final approval.

Congressman Doug Revard met success when he introduced four amendments to the FY 2010 budgets now being referred to as the “Freeman Bills”.  After hours of debate and individual comments, the long awaited support and favored vote came from members of Congress and the following bills were passed:

(1) Office of the Chief 

(2) Government Operations / Departments & Programs

(3) Five Man Boards, Gaming Board & Commission and Health & Wellness

(4) Legislative Branch/Office of Fiscal & Performance Review

To address employee inquiries the following summary is provided:

There are no salary reductions; the employees keep their current salary with a step increase this year. All current positions are approved with no reduction to the Nation’s work force. The employee insurance and benefits are approved, to include the one time distribution of an Employee Christmas bonus (recently withheld by the Principal Chief).  Those budgets requesting excessive salary increases are denied; however the requested amount has been added to direct program services to the Osage People. The approved budget also allows Program Directors / Managers the flexibility to make line modifications as necessary throughout the fiscal year.