Tulsa World: Cuts approved for Oklahoma Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

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Cuts approved for Oklahoma Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
Published: 11/13/2009 2:02 PM
Last Modified: 11/13/2009 5:18 PM

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The state Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services on Friday approved a plan to cut $7.3 million from its agency budget by closing treatment beds, eliminating about 100 jobs and cutting contracts.

The action came at the board's monthly meeting in Oklahoma City.

Trish Frazier, Oklahoma Public Employees Association policy and research director, said the action was "hidden" in the agency's financial report and was not clearly stated on the agenda as required by law. If the board violated the Oklahoma Open Meetings Act, its actions are void.

Dewayne Moore, the agency's general counsel, said he didn't believe the board violated the Open Meetings Act because its vote was on accepting the financial report.

Terri White, Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, called the cuts devastating, saying they will cost the state more in the long run in incarceration, foster care and public safety.

State agencies have been told to cut budgets by 5 percent through the end of the fiscal year, which is June 30, in the wake of declining state revenues. Deeper cuts are possible.

By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau

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Reader comments for this story have been moved to the most updated version of the story, now under the headline "Mental health board OKs cuts in service," which was published on 11/14/2009. So far, 12 comments have been made.