Oklahoma Legislature

(Undated-AP) -- An unenviable task faces state lawmakers who'll be returning to the state Capitol next month. <br><br>They'll be grappling with the issue of money -- and the lack of it. <br><br>The

Thursday, January 2nd 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Undated-AP) -- An unenviable task faces state lawmakers who'll be returning to the state Capitol next month.

They'll be grappling with the issue of money -- and the lack of it.

The national economy is still sputtering and eating into tax revenues, threatening all areas of government -- education, transportation, social services, criminal justice.

Gambling is up for discussion in Oklahoma and other states. Governors in North Carolina and Oklahoma are seeking a state lottery.

Cockfighting will come up for discussion in New Mexico, the last of two states to allow it. Louisiana is the other.

In Oklahoma, where voters banned cockfighting last year, state Senator Frank Shurden says he'll introduce a bill to keep cockfighting legal in the 57 counties that voted against the prohibition.