Thursday, July 3, 2008
- Mark Beutler
The
Department of Human Services held their commission meeting June 17, at the Sequoyah
State Office
Building. OPEA staff
attended the meeting where OKDHS Director Howard Hendrick gave a PowerPoint
presentation with compelling findings.
“DHS
was forced to approve a budget that although is intended to be standstill, will
put the agency in the hole,” said OPEA Director Trish
Frazier. “Due to the increased cost of fuel and food, we are
concerned with the legislature’s lack of long-term vision in funding DHS and all agencies.”
According to George Young, the budget challenges are
evident.
“We’re
heading for a cliff,” said Young. “Hopefully we can get a little more road.”
Others,
such as Commission member Patrice Douglas are recognizing the problem for what
it is.
“We
are solving the problem by using one-time money and being responsible for the
problem they [the legislature] created.”
“We
play the cards we are dealt,” said Commission Chairman Richard L. DeVaughn,
D.D.S. "I don’t want to have to go to the bomb shelter until I hear the bombs
hit.”