OKLAHOMA CITY -Governor Keating is itching to veto a record appropriation for higher education, but because he doesn't have the guts to pull the trigger, he's yanking pay raises from state employees, according to a Senate leader.

"Governor Keating has exhibited a hostile attitude toward higher education from the day he stepped into office. He would like nothing better than to veto the higher education investment approved by the Legislature, but he doesn't have the guts," said Senator Kelly Haney, Senate Appropriations Committee chairman.

OKLAHOMA CITY -Even though he proposed budget increases for the Attorney General's office and the Indigent Defense system in his executive budget, Governor Keating has vetoed those appropriations, an action that will further slow the death penalty process, according to a Senate budget leader.

"In effect, Governor Keating has given our death row inmates a new lease on life. That's the simplest way to explain the impact of his vetoes," said Senator Cal Hobson, Vice-chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Governor Keating has vetoed his own budget again, killing additional agency appropriations that he proposed in his executive budget, according to a Senate budget leader.

The Governor has vetoed increases for the Attorney General, the ABLE Commission, Indigent Defense and the Oklahoma Tax Commission, even though he proposed increases for those agencies in his executive budget.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Hailing it as one of the most productive meetings in recent history, legislative leaders officially adjourned the 45th session of the Oklahoma Legislature today.

"This was the most pro-business, pro-education session that I've ever been involved with," said Senator Stratton Taylor. "We covered the waterfront on a variety of economic development initiatives, from tax cuts to education investments. The things we did this session will produce dividends for years to come.

STATEMENT FROM SENATOR STRATTON TAYLOR, PRESIDENT PRO TEM:

"There simply is no merit to the concerns raised by Governor Keating.

OKLAHOMA CITY -Legislative leaders have reached a budget agreement today that will pump an additional U $203 million into education in the coming fiscal year, and add new moneys to public & safety and transportation as well.

"We've said all along that education is our top priority, and this agreement proves it," said Senator Stratton Taylor, President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate. "We feel that it's the best investment we can make for Oklahoma, especially from an economic development standpoint."

A bill that would have increased the amount of days between Oklahoma's primary and run-off elections has been sidelined, according to its Senate author.

Senator Larry Dickerson announced today that he would not continue to push SB 748 because there isn't enough time to make the proposed changes this election year.

OKLAHOMA CITY - "The only difference between the latest legislative and executive budget proposals is education. We're trying to invest a significant amount of our growth revenue in our most effective economic development tool, education. Tom Daxon, on the other hand, would prefer to throw a few scraps to the public schools and let our economic development efforts wither on the vine. To ignore the needs of education as Mr. Daxon advocates is reckless behavior by any measure."

Statement from Senator Cal Hobson, Senate Appropriations Vice-chairman:

Despite veto threats from Governor Keating, a Senate budget leader insists that education will continue to be the Legislature's top funding priority this year.

"I'm very disappointed that Governor Keating has chosen to enter budget negotiations with a hostile attitude toward public education," said Senator Kelly Haney, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "Every time he threatens to veto an education budget bill, he sends the signal nationwide that Oklahoma isn't interested in building a business-friendly environment to promote economic development.

STATEMENT FROM SENATOR STRATTON TAYLOR, PRESIDENT PRO TEM: