Bloomberg
Sean Murphy, The Associated Press
Published: December 8, 2010, 6:47pm
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Gov.-elect Mary Fallin said Wednesday she will not endorse across-the-board cuts to state agencies as leaders grapple with a massive hole in Oklahoma's budget next year, preferring targeted reductions in spending that protect core government functions.
Her comments followed a keynote address at The State Chamber's annual Public Affairs Forum, which included legislative leaders from both parties.
Fallin, who replaces outgoing Democratic Gov. Brad Henry on Jan. 10, said she hopes to shield functions like education, public safety, corrections, health care and transportation from the deepest cuts.
"There's no doubt there will be shared sacrifice among many different state agencies and services, but we want to make targeted, thoughtful reductions in spending as the budget demands," Fallin told reporters after her address. "I will tell you we will not be making across-the-board cuts, because I don't think that's wise public policy as it relates to budget reductions."
State officials will meet in two weeks to approve a preliminary estimate of available revenue for the budget for fiscal year 2012, which begins July 1. That figure will be used by Fallin to prepare her budget recommendations for lawmakers... FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Wed, December 8, 2010
by Crystal Drwenski