An election year and a tight budget are sure to spark fireworks among state lawmakers.
Tulsa World
By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
Published: 1/31/2010 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 1/31/2010 5:11 AM
OKLAHOMA CITY — State lawmakers on Monday will convene a legislative session that is expected to be marred by budget fights and a boisterous election year.
Last week, officials announced a deal to plug holes in the current fiscal year budget by continuing 10 percent cuts to agencies, tapping reserves and handing out supplemental funds.
Developing a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 will be tough as officials predict they will have about 20 percent, or $1.3 billion, less to spend.
That hasn't stopped lawmakers from filing bills calling for pay raises for teachers, support employees and other state workers.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Mike Johnson put the chances of those measures passing at "zero."...
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Sun, January 31, 2010
by Crystal Drwenski