By Associated Press
Oklahoma City, OK – Henry defends budget ideas, calls for ideas
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.