Governor Won't Change Budget Request

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry says a state board decision to slash the amount of money Oklahoma lawmakers can spend this year in half is no reason to panic. <br/><br/>In December, the

Wednesday, February 21st 2007, 5:19 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry says a state board decision to slash the amount of money Oklahoma lawmakers can spend this year in half is no reason to panic.

In December, the state Equalization Board certified about $277 million in growth revenue, but lower projections on income taxes, sales taxes and oil and gas taxes led them to reduce new funding to $114 million Tuesday.

Henry says his budget priorities will remain the same, saying education, health care, research investment, transportation and corrections are issues important to him and to legislators.

Henry says lawmakers should move quickly to provide emergency funding associated with $3,000 teacher pay raises and for overcrowded prisons.

Henry also says he's disappointed that the new figures will cut funds going to roads and bridges from $170 million to $137.5 million.