Oklahoma Legislature Adjourns Without A State Budget

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The Oklahoma Legislature adjourns its regular session without accomplishing its primary goal of writing a state budget. <br/><br/>But lawmakers approved a rigorous school testing program

Saturday, May 27th 2006, 7:10 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The Oklahoma Legislature adjourns its regular session without accomplishing its primary goal of writing a state budget.

But lawmakers approved a rigorous school testing program supporters say will improve classroom accountability.

They also passed new anti-abortion guidelines and a measure that ends the state's status as the only one in the nation that outlaws tattooing.

They also voted to allow the death penalty for repeat child rapists and passed a Medicaid reform package supporters said will cut the health care program's spiraling costs while improving health care access and results.

Lawmakers will return to the Capitol for at least three days in June to finalize funding for state agencies for the fiscal year that begins July 1st.