OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma's prison director is asking state lawmakers to triple the agency's budget in spite of a shortfall in the state budget and the possibility of a higher shortfall next year.
Corrections Director Joe Allbaugh said Wednesday the agency is seeking $1.53 billion next year including $813 million for two new medium-security prisons, $107 million in repairs to existing prisons and $10 million for across-the-board raises.
Allbaugh says the request is more than $1 billion more than the agency's current $485 million budget but "represents exactly what our needs are right now."
Earlier this month, Gov. Mary Fallin vetoed much of a bill to close a $215 million hole in the current budget and says next year's shortfall is estimated at $600 million. Fallin didn't immediately comment on Allbaugh's budget request.
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