Oklahoma Legislative Leaders Say No Special Session

By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Legislative leaders insist there will be a budget agreement in place by the end of the legislative session, preventing the need for a special session.

"We've been talking for the past few weeks and those discussions have been productive," said House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa. "Right now, I feel like we can get finished before the end of session."

The legislative session is scheduled to end on May 28. If a budget agreement is not in place, Governor Henry could order a special session. The cost for such a session could average about $2 million a week.

But Senate Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, said he doesn't believe it will come to that.

"I think we have plenty of time to get our work done," Coffee said. "Everyone's at the table continuing to work hard to come up with an agreement."

Democratic state lawmakers have expressed frustration that not enough time has been spent debating the budget on the House and Senate floors.

"I'm disappointed that there were not more substantive issues we're dealing with on the floor," State Senator Andrew Rice, D-Oklahoma City, said. "The process on the budget is pretty much closed doors. There are no solutions being offered up, and the minority hasn't really been giving opportunities to give our alternatives. With four weeks coming down the line here, we're concerned that nothing's going to be done and cuts will be made."

And for many state agencies, panic is setting in. Just last week, school superintendents from across the state complained of potential teacher layoffs if a proposed 10 percent cut goes into effect. Coffee said no decisions have been made, but tough questions are being asked.

"If you make cuts, where do you make cuts? If you find revenue, what is it? Is it truly sustainable? Is it a tax increase?" Coffee said.

Questions House Speaker Benge said will be answered in time.

"But right now I think we can finish before the end of session," Benge said.

Oklahoma's budget shortfall is about $1.3 million.

Even though there has been no resolution on a state budget, some communities are already feeling the effects. Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs, said two teachers have already lost their jobs in his district because of budget cuts.