16 Oklahoma state parks could close under 'worst-case scenario' 14.5 budget cut [View all]

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — The Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation says the "worst-case scenario" for a potential 14.5 percent budget cut would involve closing 16 state parks and ending publication of Oklahoma Today magazine.

Officials told The Tulsa World (http://bit.ly/2mIMkuj ) on Tuesday that the Oklahoma House gave the department less than three days to respond to its request of how the agency would adapt to a budget shortfall.

The potential budget cut for the department would slash more than $2.5 million. The agency has already seen state funding cut by 38 percent since 2009.

State officials say the Legislature will have $878 million less to spend for the next fiscal year because tax revenues are coming in below expectations.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/oklahoma/articles/2017-03-15/budget-cuts-could-close-16-state-parks-in-oklahoma