$976-million approved for colleges, universities

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Senate approves a bill appropriating an extra $87-million for colleges and universities.<br/><br/>Senators voted 37-to-10 for the measure, with some lawmakers questioning

Wednesday, April 12th 2006, 12:21 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Senate approves a bill appropriating an extra $87-million for colleges and universities.

Senators voted 37-to-10 for the measure, with some lawmakers questioning how proposed tax cuts and a large funding increase for education can be done in the same budget.

Claremore state Senator Stratton Taylor says the $976-million funding plan reduces the chances of a substantial tuition increase this year.

Taylor says figures plugged into the bill in the state Senate are $63-million higher than what is proposed under a state House budget plan.

The Republican-led House this week passed a $480-million income tax plan that had been introduced in the state Senate by Broken Arrow Senator Scott Pruitt.

Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan says he doubts that large of a tax-cut plan will be enacted this year.