Groups looking to cash in on budget shortfall are hiring massive amounts of lobbying firepower to grab state employees jobs and huge profits.
OPEA fought off attempts during the last legislative session to privatize child welfare services. HB 3258 by Representative Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell, and Senator Dan Newberry, R-Tulsa would have directed the Department of Human Services to develop a plan to outsource foster care and related services statewide.
To bolster their efforts at lucrative state contracts, companies are contracting with some of the most prestigious Capitol hired muscle they can. These companies like the firm of Fried, Kilpatick and Guinn, (FKG) boast a proven track record in obtaining appropriations for private sector clients that contract with the state and government agencies and also including passage of bills involving privatization of state correctional facilities, halfway houses and juvenile facilities.
According to ethics commission records, FKG is hired by Providence Service Corporation, a company rumored to be pushing the privatization efforts in Oklahoma.
Another company hiring Capitol muscle is Day Spring Community Health Services who has hired ex lawmaker Stephen Lewis. Lewis was formerly the Speaker of the House of Representatives and failed gubernatorial candidate also represents Youth Services of Oklahoma.
Rumored to also be in the running for a lucrative state contract is the Florida based company, Eckerd Youth Alternatives. Company president and CEO, David Dennis is no stranger to Oklahoma politics. Dennis graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University and worked for the Department of Juvenile Affairs before taking a job in Florida working for the Department of Children and Family Services.
“We are seeing a strong push from private companies to seize services from the hands of state employees,” said OPEA deputy director Scott Barger. “The Interim Study on September 28th begins at 9 a.m. in room 412c at the Capitol. DHS employees should pack this room if we are going to have a chance to stop this effort before these corporations can launch the discussions again.”
In addition to presentations from DHS and OPEA, the private providers are expected to present their case promoting the privatization of these services.
“It is critical that DHS employees support our efforts to stop this,” said Barger. “Next will be adult protective services and the Advantage Waiver program if these companies are successful.”
Below are lobbyists listings of the corporations from the Ethics Commission website.
Providence Service Corporation
450 E. Devon, Suite 285
Itasca IL 60143
L100056 - Brookins, Laura
L100354 - Fried, Bryan
L100065 - Fried, Jim
L100066 - Fried, Otie Ann
L100313 - Guinn, Spencer W.
L100085 - Kilpatrick, Tammie
Day Spring Community Health Services
2712 NW 23rd St
Oklahoma City OK 73107
L100225 - Lewis, Stephen Charles
Posted on
Thu, September 16, 2010
by Trish Frazier