Deal may be near on funding for lottery startup

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Legislative leaders say an agreement to fund startup costs for the Oklahoma Lottery Commission could be finalized as early as this week. <br/><br/>Governor Brad Henry's $500,000

Sunday, March 13th 2005, 2:23 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Legislative leaders say an agreement to fund startup costs for the Oklahoma Lottery Commission could be finalized as early as this week.

Governor Brad Henry's $500,000 request for the lottery commission was not included in a $63-million supplemental funding agreement worked out last week.

But House and Senate budget leaders say they're close to reaching an agreement.

House Appropriations Chairman Chris Benge says because general revenue money can't be used to fund the lottery commission, the money will have to come from a special cash fund.

Henry says an agreement will need to be reached soon so the commission can advertise for and hire an executive director and pay other startup costs.

Henry has said he wants scratch-off lottery games ready to go by the fall.