$9.8 Million Budget On The Agenda For State Senate, Days Left In Legislative Session

There are only days left in the Oklahoma legislative session, but there are still many pieces of legislation in the works.

Related Story: $9.8 Billion Budget Passes from Committee, Headed For Floor Vote

This includes the budget, which has not been passed yet.

The $9.8 billion budget passed out of joint committee Tuesday and is on the agenda for the State Senate Wednesday.

But the budget bills will have to be passed by both chambers before the session ends.

Up slightly from last year, the proposed spending plan includes $700 million set aside to attract corporate development to Oklahoma.

$181 million is earmarked for tax relief, sending checks directly to taxpayers.

And although efforts to eliminate the state grocery tax failed, some lawmakers vow to try again in the future.

Nearly half of the budget goes to education and there's a significant increase for higher education funding.

The increase includes half of a percent increase in common education spending as well as an incentive program lawmakers hope will recruit and retain Oklahoma teachers.

Lawmakers are also expected to discuss another abortion bill.

It says a physician may not knowingly perform or induce an abortion on a pregnant woman.

This would be enforced through civil action.

That action can be taken by anyone except a government employee or anyone who impregnates a woman through rape, incest or sexual assault.

News 9 will have the latest on each of these final legislative days ahead of the session ending next Friday.