Oklahoma lawmaker working on failed tax plan

OKLAHOMA CITY — A top Republican Oklahoma House leader is back to the drawing board trying to shore up the state's budget and generate funding for a teacher pay raise.

Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols said Friday work already is underway on potential changes to a broad tax-increase plan.

Echols says he's remaining in touch with the governor's office and that he's working on potential "tweaks" to the plan that could garner the necessary 76 votes in the House.

A sweeping package of tax hikes on tobacco, fuel, alcohol and oil and gas production fell five votes short in the House after an eight-week special session.

Governor Mary Fallin vetoed a backup budget plan approved by lawmakers that would have further slashed agency budgets and implored them to return for a second special session.

No date has been set.