AP News, March 28th, 2007
Gov. Brad Henry vetoed nearly all of a $6.9 billion appropriations bill Wednesday, claiming he had been shut out of a budget process that failed to address several key issues.
The bill passed unanimously in the state Senate, where Democrats and Republicans share power, but Democrats in the GOP-led House complained that they were left out of negotiations as well.
"All the players should have a seat at the table," said Henry, a Democrat. "You can't be bipartisan and shut out the Democratic governor and the Democratic members of the House."
Henry slashed $6.8 billion from the legislative budget plan. He said he signed measures that will authorize about $92 million to help public schools and state prisons pay their bills through the end of the current fiscal year June 30.
The governor said a bipartisan budget agreement for 2008 is needed to address needs in the prison system, higher education and teacher pay and pensions.
Legislative leaders who negotiated the budget plan said they were disappointed by the veto.
"I think we're a bit surprised that the governor would take this giant step backward," said Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan, a Democrat who denied that Henry had been excluded from negotiations.
House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, criticized House Democrats for their support of Henry, referring to them as "the gridlock gang."
Morgan has said a veto could force a government shutdown, but on Wednesday he indicated that an agreement with the governor is likely.
"I think we will get this worked out," Morgan said.
