Democrat promises more input in developing state budget

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- State Representative Mike Mass promises ask for more input in the development of the state's budget.

The Democrat from Hartshorne chairs the House Appropriations and Budget Committee, and says he'll give his subcommittee chairmen more say in writing the budget.

He also vows to include House Republicans while putting together the state's spending plan.

Mass says the final budget has been worked out by legislative leaders in the past, with little or no input from other lawmakers.

He predicts that 95 percent of the budget will be worked out with little debate, but the remaining five percent will likely lead to a - quote - "bloody battle."

The legislative session begins February Fifth.