OKLAHOMA CITY (January 27, 2010) – The Oklahoma Public Employees Association applauds the recent announcement of the injection of $7.2 million dollars into the Department of Corrections 2010 budget. The agreement between the Governor and legislative leaders means a handful of agencies will receive supplemental appropriations.
“The Association is thrilled with this announcement,” said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley. “We appreciate the hard work of DOC Director Justin Jones, Public Safety Chairs Representative Randy Terrill and Anthony Sykes, as well as House Speaker Chris Benge and Senate Pro Tem Glenn Coffee. This addition to the budget will eliminate the need for DOC furloughs. OPEA’s work with the combined sub-committees on Public Safety and the agency has paid off in a big way for our members in Corrections today.”
House Public Safety Chairman Randy Terrill commends OPEA for their involvement. “OPEA has been a critical part of this resolution,” Terrill said. “They toured with the committee, provided testimony at each meeting and gave the legislature a clear view of the value our corrections employees provide daily. Without OPEA’s involvement there certainly could have been a different outcome with employees being furloughed. OPEA and its leaders are to be commended for their diligent efforts in representing the interests of Correctional employees.”
Zearley pointed to OPEA’s volunteer leaders who helped spearhead the effort. “We have a huge list of leaders in DOC from JHCC, HMCC, OSP, JCCC, P&P and LARC that have given time, made phone calls, and held meetings,” Zearley said. “They are a large part of our success on this issue.”
###
Posted on
Wed, January 27, 2010
by Mark Beutler