The Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Senate Republican Caucus on Thursday urged Gov. Brad Henry to convene a special session of the Legislature in December, a month earlier than the Democratic governor had proposed.
Within minutes of the GOP caucus issuing the request, Henry’s spokesman, Paul Sund, responded, saying the governor “is certainly open to discussion on any special session timetable, but he also believes it is critical for state lawmakers to do their budget homework first.”
Henry announced a three-point plan on Tuesday, saying he first wanted to have available preliminary revenue estimates, which should be released by the state Board of Equalization after its Dec. 21 meeting. He also asked legislative budget committees to expedite public hearings on possible reductions and their consequences before he and legislative leaders discussed the possibility of a January special session.
State revenues came in below expectations for the 10th straight month in October. State financial officials have already ordered 5 percent cuts in state agencies’ budgets through the end of the fiscal year on June 30. Those cuts followed a 7 percent cut at most agencies in May, when the Legislature approved the budget for the 2010 fiscal year.
Lawmakers wouldn’t normally convene until February, but some have recently called for a special session. State Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, said Thursday it’s clear that more reductions in spending are inevitable and that state agencies are waiting for direction from the Legislature on how much their budgets might be reduced.
“We believe it is prudent, given the fiscal crisis facing all state agencies, to come in, examine the numbers as an entire body, and make the hard decisions sooner rather than later,” Coffee said. “We have a good feel for the direction revenues are heading, so why wait any longer?
“It’s not a pleasant task, but we all understand the reality of the times in which we’re operating.”
Sund said it’s important for lawmakers to clearly understand the budget issues facing Oklahoma so that time during any special session can be used “efficiently and effectively.” To do otherwise would be wasting money during a time of fiscal crisis, he said.
Sund said Henry wants the legislative public hearings so that lawmakers are more aware of the impact of budget reductions already in place. Sund also said that “an official, more reliable revenue estimate for the current fiscal year and a new, official estimate for next fiscal year,” which will come from the Board of Equalization, are needed before any special session.
“Clearly, a lot of work must still be done to pave the way for a productive special session, but Gov. Henry stands ready to work with legislative leaders to address the budget crisis as quickly as possible, even if takes a Christmas special session to do it,” Sund said.
Coffee said that Henry could call a special meeting of the Board of Equalization, which then could declare a budget failure. After that, the governor could call a special session, Coffee said.
“We hope the governor will act with great urgency on this matter,” he said. “Our caucus will stand with him in support of his call, and will take on this important matter with equal urgency.”
House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, has said discussions have been going on between Henry and legislative leaders for weeks.
“We still believe it is crucial that we continue to work together to determine as best we can the budget hole for the current fiscal year and the estimate for fiscal year 2011 before making any rash decisions,” Benge said Thursday.
