Join Scott and Mark for the final "Break Room" of 2009, with a wrap up on prison privatization, state employee RIFS, and complaints against the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.  

Click here to listen.

The meeting will be held in the Lowry Room at Norman's Public Library, 225 North Webster, beginning at 5 p.m.

This is an important meeting all DMHSAS employees can't afford to miss!

Mark, Sterling and Trish discuss OPEA voting results regarding geographical representation, information about running for a board seat, and current news regarding the state's economy and how that affects state employees. 

Click here to listen.

Saying he’s “cautiously optimistic,” State Treasurer Scott Meacham says Oklahoma’s revenue shortfall continues, but better news may be on the horizon.

“This is the first time in 10 months I’ve stood before you with the news that last month’s shortfall wasn’t as bad as the previous month,” Meacham said during a state Capitol press conference Tuesday.

“One month doesn’t necessarily make a bottom, but it’s better than where we’ve been recently.  Hopefully this one-month trend will continue,” Meacham said.  “Coupled with other positive national economic indicators, I am hopeful that with today’s revenue report we have seen the bottom of the recession in Oklahoma and that recovery will begin in the next few months.”

Preliminary reports show General Revenue Fund collections last month were $374 million dollars, which is $116 million below the prior year and $83 million below the estimate.  In order to fund the reduced allocations in October, the state transferred an additional $24 million dollars from cash funds.  Those transferred funds will have to be repaid, most likely from Rainy Day Funds, by the end of the fiscal year.

“Governor Henry has guarded the Rainy Day Fund throughout his terms in office.  But the loss of senior nutrition programs, furloughs in agencies like the Department of Corrections, and cutting core services means we have to find an appropriate balance.  There are core services that must be kept in-tact, and if we have to use a portion of the Rainy Day Fund that’s what it’s there for,” Meacham said.

Last month Governor Henry announced that five percent cuts will remain permanent for all agencies throughout the remainder of the fiscal year, but Meacham says they have also told agencies to prepare for deeper cuts, just in case.  He says next month should be a better indicator of how the rest of the fiscal year will play out.

The holiday shopping season could be beneficial to state revenues, Meacham says, but the real boost will come from natural gas prices this winter.

“I think as we go into the winter months natural gas prices should help our revenue.  We have had a tremendous supply of natural gas in reserve, so if the winter is harsh, particularly in the east, that could help our picture.

“Several years ago we were praying for rain,” Meacham said.  “Now we need to be praying for snow, sleet and ice in the northeast.”

From left, Representative Mike Christian, Scott Barger and Representative Randy Terrill

Representative Mike Christian and OPEA's Legislator of the Year, Representative Randy Terrill, join Scott on today's edition of The Break Room. 

The Election Board has certified the recent OPEA election results, and an overwhelming 96 percent of voters decided to change the OPEA Bylaws to geographical representation.

Voters cast their ballots via email, phone and mail-in ballot, with 1,616 voting "Yes" to adopt the amendments, and only 68 voting "No."

“This is a membership-driven Association,” said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley.  “So we took it to a vote, first at the Annual Convention in August.  It was unanimous.  The councils, delegates and Board all said changing back to geographical representation was the way to go so in October we put it to a vote of the members.  Look at the numbers and you’ll see our members are telling us this is what they want,” Zearley said.

Now begins the process of choosing a new board, which will be seated in early 2010. Filing period will be open from November 18th to December 4th. Complete election rules, forms and the new geographical region maps are available on the OPEA website at http://opea.org/bylaws and in the November Advocate, which is also available online and will be arriving in your mailbox early next week. 

The November issue of the Advocate is now online, and will be arriving in your mailbox early next week.  Click here to read online.

Legislators address a group of OPEA members at a recent Town Hall meeting in Enid

Oklahoma Public Employees Association recently hosted a Town Hall Meeting at the Northwestern Oklahoma State University campus in Enid. The purpose was to engage local legislators about the issues state employees are currently facing. Several legislators attended, including Senators David Myers and Patrick Anderson, as well as Representatives Mike Jackson and John Enns. Issues such as privatization, budget cuts, and furloughs were discussed.

            “‘Tough times ahead’ is a sign that needs to be posted across all state agency entrances, said OPEA Enid Boomer Chapter President Jim Darst.  “Our economic problems are like a series of tidal waves racing across the nation which have started hitting Oklahoma.  State employees heard some dismal budget forecasts at the meeting. The only question is how long the economic downturn will continue to affect state revenues.

“The state agencies department directors are being challenged for ways to keep the expected services with less money. Of course no one wants to tell the citizens reductions of expected services will be coming. Several employees told about the added stress brought about trying to keep up the increased demand for state programs with fewer positions,” Darst said. “Other employees told of state employees having to work extra jobs to keep up with the rising health care costs. State employees will not be receiving pay increases or even COLA’s. OPEA will continue working with our local dedicated legislators who understand the impact of the budget shortfalls on the lives of all Oklahomans. I appreciate their efforts,” Darst said.

OPEA Enid Boomer Chapter Jim Darst, right, poses a question to legislators

 

            “I believe it will be a very long recovery. It will take some time to get up the ramp. We’re going to have to make some tough decisions at the end of this year,” said State Representative Mike Jackson.

Representative Mike Jackson, center, addresses OPEA members

            “I believe we’re in an ‘L shaped’ economy, not a ‘V’,” said Senator Myers. Meaning it will be a longer than expected recovery. “We’ll probably be tapping into the Rainy Day Fund. Right now our needs are greater than our resources. I don’t have the answers, and it looks like we’re going to have to pay the piper.”

Senator David Myers, standing, addresses OPEA members