State representative requests Rainy Day funds for wildfire relief

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A state lawmaker wants Governor Brad Henry to dip into the state's Rainy Day fund to help local firefighters battle wildfires.<br/><br/>In a letter to Henry, state Representative

Thursday, January 12th 2006, 6:13 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A state lawmaker wants Governor Brad Henry to dip into the state's Rainy Day fund to help local firefighters battle wildfires.

In a letter to Henry, state Representative Mike Mass of Hartshorne suggested spending about $5-million from the fund. He wants an appropriations bill on the governor's desk within a week after the Legislature convenes on February 6th.

Mass says rural firefighters have depleted most of their money and it's appropriate to use Rainy Day money so firefighters can be effective for the rest of the fire season.

Mass says the most critical days are between now and when the grass starts to green up during drought conditions. Oklahoma's constitutional Rainy Day fund currently contains $461.3-million.