Friday, February 4, 2011

Fallin Will Seek Budget Cuts In Address

Oklahoma's first female governor will deliver her inaugural address in that role on Monday afternoon when Governor Fallin delivers her State of the State address and presents her initial budget priorities.

Fallin's speech is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. in the House chamber.

Speaking to members of the Oklahoma Press Association today, Fallin said she will ask public safety, education and health and human services to cut their budgets by 3 percent and all other agencies will be asked to take 5 percent cuts.

Fallin said her budget proposal will call for consolidating some agencies and for agencies to share some services. She said state government must operate more efficiently and effectively.

“We can't spend money we don't have,” she said. “If we don't have the money, we can't spend the money.”

She also said she will not propose tax increases to make up for any of the shortfall.

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