Special session possible, lawmakers say

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A special legislative session to look at looming furloughs in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections may be imminent, officials hinted on Wednesday. <br><br>Gov. Frank Keating

Thursday, November 7th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A special legislative session to look at looming furloughs in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections may be imminent, officials hinted on Wednesday.

Gov. Frank Keating said he was leaning toward the extra session, and that he and Gov.-elect Brad Henry would be working on a bipartisan plan to present to lawmakers.

``We have identified some funding that can help with the Department of Corrections in a modest way,'' Keating said.

The governor didn't specify where that funding would come from, but said more information would be released in the coming days.

State finance officials said $9.8 million that was not appropriated by the Legislature last year can be used.

The Corrections Department plans to furlough more than 4,800 employees, a move aimed at offsetting an $18.7 million cut in the agency's budget. Opponents of the plan have said it could jeopardize public safety.

The Oklahoma Public Employees Association on Oct. 30 suggested ways legislators could prevent the unpaid leaves during a special session. Those suggestions included authorizing the release of 3,600 inmates, returning 1,150 prisoners from private to state-operated facilities and tapping the Rainy Day Fund for $9 million.

Most state agencies face severe budget problems, including education and the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, the agency that administers and funds health care programs for the indigent elderly and poor children.

The Health Care Authority needs some $20 million and educators estimate their needs at more than $100 million.

The governor and Legislature can access only about $36 million in the Rainy Day Fund. But Keating said there are some other funds that can be used.

Keating has not ruled out working with part of the OPEA proposal, but Henry said he has not had time to review the recommendation.

Legislative leaders have said they would consider a special session, but only if leaders can decide what they hope to accomplish beforehand.

``What people need to remember, though, is that we don't have any money,'' House Speaker Larry Adair, D-Stilwell, said.

No date has been set for a possible special session, but it may be held when legislators return Nov. 19 to the state Capitol for the swearing in of newly elected members.