OKLAHOMA CITY - Senate and House leaders on Monday demanded that Gov. Brad Henry give them a comprehensive, detailed budget plan as a prerequisite for negotiations on next year's appropriations.
Advertisement
Henry vetoed most of a $6.9 billion general appropriations bill last week, saying it was developed in "a very flawed process" without input from his office or House Democrats.
He urged a new round of budget talks involving leaders from Democratic and Republican caucuses of both the Senate and House and the executive branch.
In a letter to the governor on Monday, three legislative leaders said they wanted an alternative budget plan from the governor before any negotiations took place.
"Before such a meeting is scheduled, please provide us with a copy of your comprehensive, detailed alternative to the Legislature's bipartisan budget plan," the lawmakers said in the letter.
It was signed by Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater; Senate Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, and House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah.
In exercising his line item veto power last week, Henry said the budget plan was not bipartisan because his office and House Democrats were not consulted.
"You can't be bipartisan and shut out the Democratic governor and the Democratic members of the House," he said.
Henry's office already has been on record saying the governor does not plan to submit an alternative budget plan. He said he outlined his priorities in his executive budget at the start of the Legislature in February.
Paul Sund, the governor's communications director, said Henry will formally reply to legislative leaders' letter later, but he "appreciates the prompt response from them."
Sund's statement indicated Henry had not changed his position. "He sincerely believes the best way to move forward to complete a balanced budget is by all parties sitting down to work together as soon as possible," the spokesman said.
Rep. Danny Morgan, D-Prague, House Democratic leader, said Henry outlined his concerns in his veto message and "I thought that would be a good starting point" for budget discussions.
"Apparently that's not where we are yet and I'm disappointed," Morgan said.
In their letter, legislative leaders said Henry's original budget was prepared using revenue estimates that are no longer valid and Henry should provide another plan to fund government for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
In its February meeting, a state board lowered the amount of revenue lawmakers could spend over last year's appropriation from about $500 million to about $250 million.
Scott Meacham, state treasurer and a member of Henry's cabinet, said last week the legislative budget plan had "glaring" deficiencies that shortchanged schools, colleges and prisons.
Henry vetoed all but $92 million of the budget plan, approving emergency funding for schools and prisons.
The veto was announced at a news conference attended by all but one of the 44 House Democrats, who served notice they would vote to sustain the governor's action if an override attempt was made.
Morgan said Monday he was aware that some Democrats were being called by Republican House members and asked to back away from their stand.
