Tulsa World
By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
Published: 5/23/2010 2:26 AM
Last Modified: 5/23/2010 4:35 AM
OKLAHOMA CITY — With one week remaining in the legislative session, officials say passage of revenue enhancements to plug a historic budget hole is crucial to staving off deeper cuts to state agencies.
Gov. Brad Henry and legislative leaders on Thursday announced that an agreement had been reached on a nearly $6.7 billion budget for fiscal year 2011, which begins July 1.
The proposed revenue-enhancing measures — such as improved collection of use taxes, a fee on insurance claims and an electronic vehicle insurance verification system — are expected to generate nearly $353 million, according to the State Treasurer's Office.
"I believe we will pass them," said House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa. "There will be some that have some opposition to them. There are some that are controversial. There is no doubt about that. But if they don't pass, then we are not going to be able to fund this document. We need all those revenues to pass, to fund this $6.675 billion we are planning on spending."... FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Sun, May 23, 2010
by Crystal Drwenski