A bill that would allocate additional funding to avoid furloughs for state troopers and corrections officers is hung up in the Senate this afternoon.
Senate Democrats voted against House Bill 2435, which would have moved $30 million from the unclaimed property fund to a special cash fund.
The bill passed by a vote of 25-21, however, 32 votes are needed for an emergency clause to take effect. Without the emergency clause, the money would not be available until 90 days after session, in the next fiscal year.
"Because of the vote that took place earlier, many agencies now will likely have to furlough individuals to make their budget in 2010," said Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.
The $30 million would have been split among several agencies, including $7 million to avoid furloughs at the state Corrections Department, $3 million to avoid furloughs for state troopers and additional funds for the Oklahoma Historical Society and the state Rehabilitation Services Department.
Sen. Charlie Laster, D-Shawnee, said Senate Democrats want a program that provides meals to seniors funded. The program is funded through the state Department of Human Services. The department made cuts to the program after its budget was cut.
Democrats said it would take about $2.5 million to fund the program for the remainder of the year.
"Find $2.5 million for senior nutrition and this deal goes through," Laster said.
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