Deadlocked budget talks force agencies to eye furloughs

Wednesday, June 14th 2006, 5:47 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Officials at several state agencies are growing more concerned about funding since lawmakers have yet to agree on how to allocate the largest budget in state history.

If there isn't an agreement within in 18 days, agencies will be forced to shut down because they won't have any money to pay for services to taxpayers.

State Superintendent of Schools Sandy Garrett says her agency will soon have to start reviewing its furlough plan.

Budget negotiations broke down last week over differences on spending plans for state colleges and universities and a proposed 5 percent state worker pay raise.

A government shut-down has never occurred in Oklahoma.