Big-ticket items remain for Oklahoma Legislature

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma’s Republican leaders reached an agreement on how to divvy up the $7 billion state budget, but plenty of work remains as the Legislature races toward a planned early adjournment on Friday.

The House and Senate still must pass the budget bill through both chambers, and there are several other big-ticket items they plan to cram into the final hectic week of session. Those include a new plan for a $120 million bond issue to repair the Capitol, an overhaul of the pension system for state workers, and adjusting a tax incentive for oil and gas drilling.

Although lawmakers have until May 30th to finish their work, House and Senate leaders said last week after striking a budget agreement that they intend to adjourn before Memorial Day.