State House, state Senate have different budget view

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The state House and Senate can't seem to agree on a more than five-billion dollar state budget. <br/><br/>Senate Appropriations Chairman Johnnie Crutchfield says the state Senate

Tuesday, April 12th 2005, 6:07 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The state House and Senate can't seem to agree on a more than five-billion dollar state budget.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Johnnie Crutchfield says the state Senate would begin today separately considering funding bills for 42 state agencies, which represent about 20% of the total state budget for the coming fiscal year.

Crutchfield says the numbers in the Senate legislation mirrors those included for agencies in the House general appropriations bill. He says he hopes that by beginning with the agencies where there already is consensus, the House and Senate can avoid a government shutdown.

State House Appropriations Chairman Chris Benge says the state House will pass funding measures sent to the House by the Senate as shell bills. Benge says the actual funding figures for the various agencies can be plugged in during conference committee discussions.

The House has passed a $5.77-billion general appropriations bill, while the Senate has approved a $3.8-billion general appropriations measure and separate public education funding legislation for $2.1-billion.