Special session urged for drought aid

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Governor Keating says he's keeping an open mind about a proposed special session of the Legislature to handle drought-related problems.

House Speaker Loyd Benson today asked the governor to reconvene the Legislature for one day to appropriate five (m) million for drought relief.

Benson wants to reimburse the state Agricultural Department and rural fire departments for expenses they've incurred fighting wildfires and hauling water and hay to parched areas. The money would be appropriated from the constitutional Rainy Day Fund, which has a balance of more than 157 (m) million dollars.

Keating says he hasn't seen Benson's request. But Keating says he wants to do everything possible to help drought-stricken areas.