House Approves Appropriations Bill
Oklahoma House passes general appropriations bill late Wednesday
by Randy Ellis
The Oklahoma House of Representatives debated late into the night Wednesday before narrowly passing the state’s $7.1 billion general appropriations bill.
The bill passed 54 to 42 shortly after 11 p.m. Wednesday, after House leaders held the vote up for more than an hour to garner enough votes to obtain passage.
The vote followed sharp criticism from minority Democrats who argued the budget doesn’t do enough for higher education, veterans, the poor and other groups.
Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman said the Senate likely will take up the measure Friday.
Several House members complained that the proposed budget would cut county road and bridge funds at a time when counties are trying to recover from flooding that has washed out roads and bridges.