Tentative deal reached on state budget

(OKLAHOMA CITY) - Gov. Mary Fallin's chief budget negotiator says a tentative deal has been reached with the House and Senate on a roughly $7 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

State Secretary of Finance Preston Doerflinger said Friday details of the plan will be released later in the day after the budget is presented in closed-door meetings with rank-and-file members of the House and Senate.

Doerflinger says the budget taps agency revolving funds and uses other money to make up most of a $188 million shortfall in the budget.

He said public schools will receive an additional $80 million under the plan, while money also is included for pay raises for targeted state workers such as prison guards and child welfare workers.

Governor Fallin said,  “This is a responsible, realistic budget that makes tough, necessary cuts while adequately funding core government services."

The governor said lawmakers must continue to ask agencies to focus on eliminating waste and operating more efficiently.