State lawmakers approve taking money for education from Oklahoma's 'Rainy Day Fund'

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Oklahoma lawmakers have dipped into the state's Rainy Day fund and approved $25.5-million in supplemental funds for public education. <br><br>Public education has been hit with

Wednesday, February 19th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Oklahoma lawmakers have dipped into the state's Rainy Day fund and approved $25.5-million in supplemental funds for public education.

Public education has been hit with $158-million in budget cuts.

Republican lawmakers call the appropriation a Band-Aid that will only allow districts to get through the school year.

The House voted 98-to-nothing to take money from the constitutional reserve fund, reducing the fund's total to about $50-million.

Only $11-million of the balance is available for emergency spending.

Governor Henry says the appropriation is a boost to public school classrooms but lawmakers need to address the long-term funding needs of education.