Oklahoma panel considers furloughs

Most of the 470 workers for an Oklahoma energy regulatory agency could receive furlough days starting next month.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission went into executive session Thursday to discuss a a plan to include 12 furlough days for the fiscal year beginning in July.

The cost-cutting plan comes after the agency's budget was slashed by the legislature. Other revenue was lost through the downturn in the oil and gas industry.

The agency regulates public utilities, the oil and gas industry and aspects of the transportation and telecommunication industries.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.