Oklahoma Legislative leaders are still trying to figure out how much is needed to bail out the Oklahoma State Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) and to straighten out its financial uncertainty. This comes after Mental Health Commissioner Allie Friesen returned to testify again before the Select Committee looking into the department’s finances. The Committee was put together after Friesen raised the alarm that something wasn’t right with the Mental Health Department’s finances.
Late last week, it surfaced that the Mental Health Department might not be able to make payroll. Monday’s hearing was meant to get to the bottom line of what happened.
The Oklahoman’s Alexia Aston writes the Department is seeking at least $23 million to pay its staff through the rest of the fiscal year.
Lawmakers are nearing the end of the legislative session and must complete a state budget before the end of the month.
Governor Kevin Stitt has defended Friesen through the financial turmoil saying that she is trying to get finances under control.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond continued his call for Friesen to lose her job.
Read The Oklahoman story here.
