OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma state budget has been cut so deeply that two elementary schools in state Rep. Jason Dunnington's district can no longer afford to pay for art teachers. A hospital is struggling after lawmakers axed a fund for uncompensated care.

Beyond the cuts, the situation has also produced a political role reversal. Republicans want to ease the pain with increases in cigarette and fuel taxes. Dunnington and fellow Democrats are attacking those bills, hoping opposition offers their party a path back to relevance after many years in the wilderness.

"I would rather lose fight...