Gap-Closing Bills on Tap

The Oklahoma Senate will this week consider several appropriations bills passed last week by the House that would balance the state’s budget for fiscal 2010.

The measures would eliminate the current budget shortfall of some $283 million. The budget must be balanced when fiscal 2010 ends June 30.

The House budget bills take $223.5 million of the state’s $600 million ­rainy-day fund to balance the current budget. The remaining shortfall will be covered by federal stimulus funds that had been reserved for fiscal 2011 and other state funds.

Another $223.5 million will be moved from the rainy-day fund for appropriations in fiscal 2011.

The transfers will leave $149 million in the rainy-day fund.

Monthly reduction in state agency budgets, which began in August, will average 7.5% through the end of fiscal 2010.

The House also increased funding for several departments for fiscal 2010, including $54.4 million for public schools, $50 million for the education fund, and $25.6 million for higher education.

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