Facebook Twitter K1-TEXT Email Print

News

State of Oklahoma

Posted: May 06, 2016 12:42 PMUpdated: May 06, 2016 12:42 PM

Earl Sears is Optimistic on Budget Talks

Share on RSS

 

Charlie Taraboletti

Oklahoma elected officials continue to work on a Fiscal Year 2017 budget.  House Appropriations and Budget Committee Chairman Earl Sears says there is a log-jam right now because the House, the Senate, and Governor Fallin have each carved out positions and none of them appear to be moving.

Sears says he expects progress over the next week.  Sears is mindful of statements being said by education officials, health care officials, and others on budget cuts.  He says his committee will keep its pledge to keep cuts to K through 12 education to 5 percent or less.  He says he wants to fund schools at their current amount again next year but that's still up for negotiation. 

He says his budget will increase the use of transportation bonds to ease pressure in other areas

Sears is optimistic that the legislature can complete its duties and adjourn early again this year.


« Back to News