The Oklahoma Public Employees Association blames the Legislature and Governor Fallin for the Department of Public Safety’s consideration of furloughs to address budget cuts. DPS said it could furlough employees, troopers and administrative staff, for about 23 days.
“DPS is taking necessary steps to cut costs because they were not properly funded for this fiscal year. Oklahoma will be less safe because we will have fewer troopers on our highways and this is not DPS’s fault. The blame lies squarely on legislators and the governor who passed a budget that does not fund core services,” said Sterling Zearley, OPEA executive director. “To add insult, Gov. Fallin has more than $140 million available to her to return to the agencies and she won’t do it. Some of those dollars would go to DPS and could help reduce the number of furlough days.”
In order to prevent the need for furloughs, DPS Commissioner Michael Thompson has requested supplemental funding totaling $12 million.
Zearley calls it a dangerous game of politics.
“Despite the efforts of the men and women at DPS, Oklahomans’ safety will be jeopardized because of politics. Some leaders are engaged in political games rather than finding ways to support public safety. Other services that DPS provides like processing drivers licenses and the support that troopers get from non-uniformed DPS staff will suffer too,” he said.
Fallin is considering a special session to distribute more than $140 million left over after revenue failure budget cuts during the previous fiscal year. She has proposed giving teachers a raise with the money. If a session isn’t called, the money would be returned to the agencies in proportion to their cuts.
How were Oklahoman’s kept safe before the existence of Oklahoma Highway Patrol?
The Government Officials must protect their enforcement arm of DSP. Who enforces the wishes of politicians?