Pay Penalty Proposed By State Lawmaker

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- An Oklahoma City legislator wants lawmakers to take a pay cut if they don't get a budget written on time.<br/><br/>State Representative Sally Kern says it's ridiculous that

Wednesday, January 10th 2007, 6:09 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- An Oklahoma City legislator wants lawmakers to take a pay cut if they don't get a budget written on time.

State Representative Sally Kern says it's ridiculous that lawmakers didn't finish the budget before last year's constitutionally mandated adjournment in late May.

Governor Brad Henry called the Legislature back for a special session to wrap up the budget and pass a tax-cut plan.

Kern is proposing to submit a constitutional amendment to a vote of the people to require a reduction in legislators' salaries if a similar situation develops.

It's estimated that a special session costs taxpayers about $100,000 a week.

She says not completing a budget on time is primarily the fault of legislative leaders who haven't been working together, and all lawmakers should face a financial consequence.