Political Pulse

MIDWEST CITY, Okla. (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry is defending his
ideas for generating more than $660 million in new revenue to help
balance next year’s budget, calling on his critics to come up with
their own plan if they don’t like his.
During a speech Friday to newspaper publishers from across the
state, Henry said new revenue must be found or the state’s economy
and agencies will face “irreparable damage.”
Henry said most state agencies already have faced cuts totaling
nearly 15 percent over the last two years. With 20 percent less to
spend next year, Henry says the state risks being unable to provide
necessary core services to citizens.
Republican leaders in the House and Senate say many of Henry’s
revenue proposals are unrealistic.