Gov. Mary Fallin challenges state lawmakers in budget plan

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Gov. Mary Fallin’s budget proposal for the upcoming year challenges state lawmakers to make fundamental changes to the way the state pays for vital public services like schools, health care and public safety.

The proposal Fallin’s secretary of finance outlined Monday calls for revamping the budgeting process to rely less on one-time funding sources such as the state’s Rainy Day fund and more on recurring revenue.

The plan tackles issues lawmakers have been reluctant to address. It calls for eliminating certain tax deductions, exemptions and credits to produce new recurring revenue. Fallin also wants to change sentencing guidelines for drug offenders that have helped swell the state’s prisons beyond their capacity.

Fallin says the proposals will help fill a projected budget shortfall of $900 million in next year’s budget.