Gov. Mary Fallin says she supports a program that provides college scholarships for low- and middle-income students and is vowing to fully fund it.
Fallin made the comments Friday after concerns were expressed about the diversion of $7.8 million from an Oklahoma Higher Access Learning Program revolving fund for use elsewhere in the state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Fallin made the comments two days after House Democratic Leader Scott Inman requested an attorney general's opinion on the constitutionality of diverting the money.
Fallin says she believes diverting the money will not affect the scholarship program, but the state's higher education regents say they disagree. Fallin says her staff is looking into their concerns, and the Board of Equalization will delay action on final budget figures.
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