OPEA

While Senate republicans are calling for a special session in December, members of the Oklahoma Public Employees Association are saying they will work with legislative leaders to ensure state services remain intact.

Last month the OPEA began urging lawmakers to convene meetings of Appropriation Sub Committees in an effort to find out the effect continuous cuts are having on agency’s budgets.

“We are very fortunate that leadership is taking an active role to see if core state services are remaining intact,” said Sterling Zearley, OPEA Executive Director.  “This is an unprecedented shortfall, not unlike Oklahoma’s oil bust back in the ‘80s.  We commend our legislature for stepping up efforts to call a special session.”

Senate republicans are calling for a December special session, saying it’s very clear that additional budget cuts are inevitable.  Governor Brad Henry says, in published reports, that he is ready to work with legislative leaders to address the budget crisis even if it means a Christmas special session. 

“OPEA has been working behind the scenes for months to get our legislators to this point,” Zearley said.  “Our state employees who have dedicated their lives to public service are being furloughed and RIFd. As a result we’re already beginning to see the ripple effects on services to Oklahoma citizens.  Employees at the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services are facing RIFs, DHS nutrition programs for senior citizens are being cut, and this could just be the tip of the iceberg.  We’re all in this together, and together we can get through this crisis.”