State Senate chairman predicts impasse over state budget

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma House passed a $6-billion general appropriations bill and sent it to the state Senate.<br/><br/>But the state Senate's appropriations chief warned Thursday of a possible

Friday, March 31st 2006, 6:29 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma House passed a $6-billion general appropriations bill and sent it to the state Senate.

But the state Senate's appropriations chief warned Thursday of a possible budget impasse over failure of the House and Senate to agree on a funding bill.

The state House voted 53-to-43 for the measure that funds state agencies at baseline levels to make sure state government will function while details of a final state budget are worked out.

But Senator Johnnie Crutchfield of Ardmore says the measure is unlikely to be heard in the state Senate.

Crutchfield warns that failure to agree on a format for funding state agencies could cause a budget impasse. That could force lawmakers to meet in special session to finish the budget after the Legislature adjourns its regular session on May 26th.