Tulsa World: Senator pushes special session

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Senator pushes special session

FAVORS TARGETED CUTS
State Sen. Kenneth Corn: He's out to restore some funds to the senior nutrition program, which took a cut of $7.4 million. "We need to use the scalpel to balance the budget — not a gigantic meat cleaver," said the Poteau Democrat, who is running for lieutenant governor.

By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
Published: 11/11/2009 2:24 AM
Last Modified: 11/11/2009 4:02 AM

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. Kenneth Corn said Tuesday that he is trying to get two-thirds of the House and Senate to agree to a special session.

He wants a special session to address cuts to the senior nutrition program and other areas as a result of declining state revenue.

The Commission for Human Services cut $7.4 million from the program, reducing the number of home-delivered meals and meals served at senior nutrition sites.

About 400 people rallied at the Capitol last week to protest the cuts.

Corn, who is running for lieutenant governor, is urging lawmakers to turn down the compensation that they get for meal and lodging expenses during a legislative session if a special session is called.

With the decline in state revenue, agencies have been told that their monthly budgets will be cut 5 percent throughout the 2010 fiscal year, which ends June 30. But deeper cuts remain possible.

"We must look at every state agency," Corn, D-Poteau, said. "Some cuts must be made, but those cuts must be efficient, effective and made in a targeted way. We need to use the scalpel to balance the budget — not a gigantic meat cleaver."

So far, 28 lawmakers, all Democrats, have signed a petition for a special session. Corn said he would release their names.

Rep. Ken Miller, chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee, said he hoped that a special session won't be needed.

Miller, R-Edmond, is running for state treasurer. He and Sen. Mike Johnson, R-Kingfisher, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and state Treasurer Scott Meacham met Tuesday to discuss declining revenues.

"We can't isolate one part of the budget component," Miller said. "The three of us are trying to come up with a plan to address the entire budget shortfall, not just one component of it.

"Rather than political stunts, the three of us are actually working together to try to come up with a solution for all of our priorities, not just one."

In other action: Sen. Andrew Rice, D-Oklahoma City, said he filed a bill last week that would call an election on a proposal to increase the amount of money that can be deposited into the state "rainy day" fund each year to 15 percent of previous-year collections. The current limit is 10 percent.

"Given that our economy in Oklahoma tends to run in up-and-down cycles, the Legislature needs more flexibility to stow away more revenue during good times in order to deal with future economic crisis," Rice said.

The fund contains about $600 million.

Barbara Hoberock (405) 528-2465
barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Oklahoma state Senator wants special session to address budget cuts," which was published on 11/10/2009.

	Report Comment thehero, (11/10/2009 1:13:28 PM) Let's hear the solutions Rep. Miller. I have not heard one solution other than we hope a special session is not needed. Well guess what? Until our Legislature decides on what to do, State agencies will still be cutting programs along with RIFing and furloughing employees. The revenue report, which will be released today, will continue to show declining revenues. It is now time to act. We are paying our Legislators an annual salary of $38,400 plus per diem. It is not just for 3 months of the regular session, it is for the whole year. Time to get to work.
	Report Comment Garf56, (11/10/2009 1:20:30 PM) UNTIL, the repukes get off their behinds we still have seniors doing without,, absolutley absurd. I see they do not care about anything unless it puts dough in their pocket. Typical of their party.
	Report Comment Mar, Tulsa (11/10/2009 1:56:14 PM) Uhhh....Garf56, correction, typical of both parties.
	Report Comment my view, Sand Springs (11/10/2009 1:57:45 PM) I'm a senior and I'm doing without anything. What Corn is doing is getting a little free press. The 2010 session begins in Feb. were not going to fall of the cliff before then.
	Report Comment Garf56, (11/10/2009 4:35:38 PM) my view, you may be doing fine but I know some seniors who aren't and this isn't just about free press. Come to one of the senior nutrition centers, watch as they tell the seniors no meal again today. Ypu will see it isn't a good deal for some.
	Report Comment oldrustytulsa, Tulsa (11/10/2009 7:48:59 PM) Before the next election I would hope that Most of the State elected Do get Arrested. It is Illegal to accept money with-out doing anything in return as a public servant.
	Report Comment bluedog1, (11/10/2009 9:45:07 PM) A special session would force them to vote on things!!, something they don't want to expose....
	Report Comment droopy, wagoner (11/11/2009 7:06:34 AM) Looks like Mr. Corn got some more free campain exposure.
	Report Comment Wayne Rohde, (11/11/2009 10:59:05 AM) For all those commentators out there who think that this is a political stunt, you might be right except for the facts. To My View, since you are a senior and you are not personally effected by this budget cut, I hope that your view is not contagious to the rest of the state. Try to tell the seniors in the Edmond center who are now without a hot meal, tell that to the seniors in Bryan county the same. Too many people in Ok only think only about themselves. Hope that you do not have to wear the other shoe some day.
	Report Comment fld11, (11/11/2009 4:09:57 PM) Some of these good old boys will do anything for a little public exposure, especially when running for office. Typical democrat big government tactics. The good thing is that maybe his scheme will actually work and we can feed the people. Cutting DHS, OHP, DOC, etc. would be much more effective than stopping to feed the elderly. Why Oklahomans allow this stupid government to do things like this is baffling.

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