Lawmakers predict grim fiscal year

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State Rep. Mike Brown took the podium at the Legislative Focus Friday morning. Photo by Travina Coleman

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March 8, 2010

By TRAVINA COLEMAN Press Staff Writer The Tahlequah Daily Press Mon Mar 08, 2010, 09:42 AM CST

TAHLEQUAH —

Next year’s budget looks grim, as all state agencies are facing a 10 percent cut in funding.

The news was delivered by Sen. Jim Wilson, Rep. Mike Brown, and Rep. John Auffet during Legislative Focus last Friday

The lawmakers were on hand to brief local citizens on the current situation in the state capitol and to answer some questions.

The event was held at the Jim Proctor Elder Center at the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians tribal headquarters. The Legislative Focus Serires is sponsored by the Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce.

Brown took the podium first to address the more than 50 people in attendance about enforcement of the right-lane-only traffic law. The recent development requires anyone driving on a four-lane highway to drive in the right lane unless passing or making a left-hand turn.

“First of all, the lane thing was something done by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, because there were truck drivers that would take up both lanes on I-44,” he said.

Other issues discussed by legislators included those dealing with shortfalls in funding for mental health and the senior nutrition program, and some possible tax increases for hunting and fishing licensing.

“We’ve been deliberating impact on Oklahoma,” said Brown. “There is talk of taxing the mentally and physically disabled to the tune of $5 an office visit, as a way to encourage them to take better care of their own health.

But it’s hard enough for a lot of citizens to have an extra $5 for food on the table for the rest of the week.”

Brown also mentioned the problem of 21 beds now empty at Bill Willis Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Center.

The agency recently had to eliminate its in-patient substance abuse program due to budget shortfalls.

“Where are [those patients] now?” he asked the audience.

“Probably back on the streets and getting into trouble, then they go to prison and taxpayers end up paying triple.”

Wilson delivered one of the more serious bits of information, saying the Rural Energy for America Program looks like its “head is on the chopping block.”

“These are programs that affect this community,” he said.

“They fund water improvements, streets, and rural fire departments. We have to fill the $1.2 billion hole in the budget and take care of our community.”

Legislators did say that, despite the funding eliminated for the senior nutrition programs, they hoped it would be in better shape this next fiscal year beginning in July, since they are working on a way to fund it.

But Brown had another idea on funding the program.

“There’s enough to cover the senior nutrition program in the state’s budget,” he said.

“But that money is going to be used for new furniture on the second floor [of the state capitol].”

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