State Senate approves major spending bill

Wednesday, April 26th 2006, 1:09 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The state Senate Wednesday approved a $6.5-billion state budget for next fiscal year in a general appropriations bill that includes more than $300-million in new funding for education.

The measure also provides money for $3,000 pay raises for teachers and a 5 percent pay raise for state employees.

The bill came from the state House but was amended in the state Senate before being passed.

The bill sets up a late-session budget showdown with a Republican-led House that's pushing for tax cuts of more than $500-million.

The bill passed on a 27-to-19 vote with three Republican senators joining 24 Democrats in voting for the plan.

Republicans Nancy Riley of Tulsa, Don Barrington of Lawton and Harry Coates of Shawnee all voted for the measure.