Session to end with flurry; record tax cut set

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Will the 2005 Oklahoma Legislature be able by the end of the week to deal with the hundreds of bills that still need handling? <br/><br/>Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan thinks so.

Monday, May 23rd 2005, 6:44 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Will the 2005 Oklahoma Legislature be able by the end of the week to deal with the hundreds of bills that still need handling?

Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan thinks so.

The Stillwater Democrat says he doesn't see a lot of major stumbling blocks, and adds that most of the major issues are close to being resolved.

Republican House Speaker Todd Hiett says he's hopeful that meaningful workers' compensation legislation will be enacted by the 5 P-M Friday constitutional deadline.

But he and Morgan both say there may not be time to enact lawsuit reform.

Republicans and Democrats apparently have agreed on a tax package that may reduce the maximum income tax rate from six-point-6-5 percent to six-point-2-5 percent over two years, while raising the standard deduction most Oklahoma taxpayers use when filling out their income tax returns.

When fully implemented, it will cost between 150 (m) million and 160 (m) million dollars annually, making it the biggest tax cut in state history.