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Clock Ticking as Oklahoma Lawmakers Work on State Budget

The Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City.
State of Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The end of Oklahoma's legislative session is rapidly approaching, but budget negotiators say they still haven't decided how to divvy up nearly $6.6 billion to fund state programs like health care, prisons, roads and public schools.

Details about how they'll close a $611 million budget gap are being worked out, too.

But one thing is certain: Nearly every state agency will be forced to cut back programs and services provided to Oklahomans.

Republican leaders already have said they plan to use one-time money sources — such as the state's Rainy Day Fund — to offset some of the budget hole.

The Department of Education and the Health Care Authority may be spared heavy cuts, but still expect millions less in funding than needed.

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