Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
For Immediate Release: March 7, 2011
Sen. David Myers
Sen. Myers says bill authorizing DOC to use existing funds will
prevent bigger budget hole in July
The chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee said
legislation approved on Monday would help address critical needs in
the Department of Corrections (DOC) without adding to the $500
million gap facing the state in the coming budget year. Sen. David
Myers, R-Ponca City, said the bill authorizes DOC to use existing
funds to reduce employee furloughs. The measure was approved by the
full Senate on a bipartisan vote of 37-7.
“A supplemental would have simply reduced available funds this
year or made the budget hole worse when the new fiscal year starts
in July,” Myers said. “Senate Bill 970 authorizes DOC to use
existing dollars in the Oklahoma Correctional Industries’ revolving
fund, enabling them to drastically reduce furloughs without making
the budget situation worse.”
Myers said the legislation would authorize DOC to use up to $4
million from the fund in addition to the $1.25 million authorized
last year.
“This authorization will enable DOC to reduce planned furloughs
from four days a month to just one day a month. This is tremendously
important given the current understaffing situation,” Myers said.
“Even if they access the full amount, there will still be enough
money left in the fund to address cash flow needs of the prison
industries programs.”
“The bottom line is we can’t print or borrow money like the
federal government, and we wouldn’t want to,” Myers said. “SB 970
represents our best option for reducing DOC furloughs without adding
to the size of the shortfall.”
For more information contact:
Sen. Myers: (405) 521-5628

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