Oklahoma House approves license tag increase

<br>(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The Oklahoma House approved a proposal Wednesday to increase license tag fees by $2 to prevent planned furloughs of highway patrol troopers. <br><br>It is estimated the increase

Wednesday, May 28th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The Oklahoma House approved a proposal Wednesday to increase license tag fees by $2 to prevent planned furloughs of highway patrol troopers.

It is estimated the increase would raise $6.6-million over 24 months, which would be enough to prevent furloughing the OHP's 845 troopers 23 days each in the next fiscal year.

Public Safety Commissioner Bob Ricks was in the gallery as the House took up the measure, along with other highway patrol officials.

Supporters say the tag fee increase would supplement the Department of Public Safety budget, which is suffering a shortfall along with other state agencies.

The measure passed 62-to-36.