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The Oklahoman Editorial
Published: May 2, 2010
WITH one month to go in this legislative session, a number of high-profile bills remain in play while fiscal concerns loom like a dark cloud on the horizon. It ought to make for compelling theater.
Lawmakers have until May 28 to figure out how to make do with $1.2 billion less than they had a year ago. Even after plugging in funds taken from the federal stimulus plan and the state’s rainy day account, the budget hole is expected to be at least $600 million for the 2011 fiscal year.
That means further cuts will be needed for state agencies already dealing with cuts imposed to get through this fiscal year. Scenarios offered by department heads in recent weeks, spelling out what further cuts of 10 or 12 percent would mean to them, have been frightening in some cases. Budget writers have some long days ahead. It seems clear that everyone’s going to feel some pain; it’s a matter of determining to what degree... FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Sun, May 2, 2010
by Crystal Drwenski