5 Agencies Slated For Overhaul By Governor & Legislature

  In a recently brokered deal between the Legislative leaders & Governor Stitt's office; 5 of our state agencies will be restructured to bring more direct accountability to the people.

• Oklahoma Health Care Authority ( $5.581 billion budget)
• Department of Transportation ( $1.895 billion budget)
• Department of Corrections ($603 million budget)
• Office of Juvenile Affairs ($110 million budget)
• Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services ($442 million budget)

  Citizen advocacy groups have long expressed frustration with the agencies in their lack of responsiveness to the people of the state.
  The legislature currently has little effect on how the 5 agencies operate. An annual appropriation is made each year, but very little 'line-item' directives are imposed. Some of these agencies have other funding sources. the federal govt. is a major source of healthcare funding, and ODMHSAS leases out much of their state hospital capacity to corporate contractors, rather than operating the hospitals to full capacity, in-house.
  The deal between the governor & legislature will also gives review & termination powers to the legislature, but only when a super-majority votes 'no confidence'. It's essentially a process similar to impeachment.

ODMHSAS Commissioner, Terri White

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