By Jennifer Mock
Nearly $7 billion includes tax-cut package for citizens

Lawmakers are set today to approve the state's largest budget in history.

Thursday, lawmakers set up the appropriations bills for final passage. Final votes are expected today on the almost-$7 billion budget.

The appropriations come a week before the end of the fiscal year, when government agencies would have been forced to shut down without the needed funding.

House Speaker Todd Hiett said while a long workday is expected, he thinks lawmakers will have a budget in place by the end of the day. Senate Pro Tempore Mike Morgan agreed.

Both houses of the Legislature are starting early this morning, and no limit exists on how late they can work in special session.

The budget includes pay increases for state employees and teachers; a tax-reduction package that affects virtually every Oklahoman; increased spending for several state agencies; and more money for the state's higher-education system.

A special session was needed to write a state budget after lawmakers could not agree on budget details during the regular legislative session, which ended in May.

The logjam was broken last week, when House and Senate leaders reached a budget agreement.