The Oklahoma Public Employees Association has learned the state Corporation Commission is holding a two-day training meeting at Midwest City’s Reed Center, reportedly paying thousands of dollars in per diem and lodging as the threat of furloughs hangs in the balance.
“For months we have been asking agencies to curb all unnecessary expenditures,” said Mark Beutler, OPEA Director of Communications. “We live in an age of webcams and computers and telecommunications, so OPEA believes other alternatives should have been explored before hosting a two-day meeting. Could the training have been handled through a teleconference? Could it have been condensed into one day?”
State agencies were faced with a $130 million dollar shortfall in May, and projected revenue for June will also be significantly less than expected.
“When an agency is looking at furloughing its employees as we have heard the Corporation Commission is planning to do, OPEA believes every effort should be made to cut wasteful spending,” Beutler said.
Look for a complete wrap-up on Oklahoma City’s KFOR-TV and at www.KFOR.com
