How Will Gubernatorial Candidates Deal with Budget Crisis

By Samantha Hayes, CNN/NEWS 9 Contributor

WASHINGTON -- At least 46 states are struggling with budget shortfalls for the current fiscal year, which began July 1.

Unlike the federal government, every state except Vermont has some sort of balanced budget that means spending has to be cut, reserves must be tapped, federal dollars must be used, or taxes will be raised. All options are on the table, but you don't hear candidates' running for governor getting very specific on their plans to balance their state's budget if elected.

Oklahoma is in much better shape economically then many other states, but there's still a 14.8 percent budget shortfall according to the center on budget and policy priorities.

Both gubernatorial candidates, Democrat Jari Askins and Republican Mary Fallin, describe themselves as fiscally conservative and they laid out their budget plans for NEWS 9.

"Going into fiscal year 2012 as we move into the 2011 legislative session, it's going to be tough. Over $1 billion in one-time revenue enhancement measures was used to balance the budget for fiscal year 2011. My proposal to figure out how to best address this is to encourage legislative leaders to step to the plate and let's focus the entire session on dealing with budget issues next year. And we can start in February with the committees not worrying about other bills that need to be heard but focus only on the budget. When we do that, all legislators will have a chance to engage in the session. I believe it will help all of us make wiser decisions. Other than that we will have to continue to tighten our belts and set priorities like education, health care, things we can do to make the economy "business friendly," and certainly public safety," said Askins.

"These are certainly challenging times with our state budget, the legislature had to make some very tough decisions this past session. My first priority is going to be stimulating the economy to create job opportunities so we can generate new revenue to come into the state of Oklahoma. Then we're going to have to prioritize our state spending-- focus on law enforcement, corrections, education health - necessary items for our citizens. And then, of course, we'll focus on funding the other divisions of state government. But one of the things I want to do is look at eliminating waste and abuse and any ways that we can help make government more efficient, more effective so that we can fund those necessary priorities in our state budget, while also generating the revenue through creating more jobs and opportunities growing Oklahoma's economy," said Fallin.

Prioritizing state spending and tightening belts don't give voters much to go on, but rarely, if ever, do candidates talk about specific cuts they would make, or the real political no-no raising taxes.

More:

• Meet the candidates for governor
• Voting 101: Casting you vote