By Cass Rains, Staff Writer

Area lawmakers discussed the state’s financial situation Thursday with members of Oklahoma Public Employees Association.

For more than an hour Sens. David Myers and Patrick Anderson, and Reps. Mike Jackson and John Enns, spoke with about 20 members of the group about budget woes, State Question 744 and heard the concerns of state workers. The question-and-answer forum was held at Northwestern Oklahoma State University-Enid.

OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley introduced the legislators and then spoke about SQ 744, also known as the Hope Initiative, which will be on the general election ballot in November 2010.

He said if it is passed into law, it could result in cuts of 20 to 25 percent for state agencies to fund the expected $800 million to $1 billion yearly cost. The question would change the Oklahoma Constitution to require the Legislature to increase the state’s appropriations for common education. The total spent per pupil on education in Oklahoma would have to match the regional per-pupil average for the neighboring states of Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico and Texas.

According to the Web site www.hope4ourkids.org, in 2007-08, Oklahoma spent $7,615 per pupil, while the regional average was $9,078.

“This is going to be a crucial, crucial election,” Zearley said. “If you think we’re in bad financial shape now, wait until they pass that.”

The news from legislators wasn’t much brighter. The state is facing declining revenue collections and has had to cut appropriations to state agencies by 5 percent in each of the past three months. Officials have said those cuts likely will continue.

Myers, R-Ponca City, said legislators can only appropriate funds to state agencies and cannot control how directors choose to spend their budgets. He also gave a grim outlook for next year’s budget.

“I believe recovery is going to be much slower than they are predicting federally,” he said.

He said further cuts to budgets for state agencies may be inevitable.

“I think, however, all of us are going to face some more cuts,” he said. “We’re all going to have to tighten our belts to get through the next few years.”

Jackson, R-Enid, said shortfalls in the budget are due to poor performance in the oil and gas industries, which are critical to Oklahoma’s financial health.

“When you lay off half the oil and gas industry that will hurt us,” Jackson said. “I expect at the end of the year we will have to make some very tough decisions.”

The legislators each discussed the negative effects the Hope Initiative would have on the state’s budget.

Enns, R-Enid, said he has discussed the problems it would create with Oklahoma Department of Corrections if the bill passed.

“Department of Corrections said they would have to release 8,000 prisoners,” Enns said. “State Question 744 is a major, major problem.”

Enns said he also was working toward getting a piece of legislation for public employees to be paid for unused vacation time, which was not heard during this year’s session.

“It’s still alive, and I will push for it again this year,” he said.

After the legislators spoke, the floor was open to questions from those in attendance.

Many shared stories about the effects of budget cuts on staffing and concerns it would lead to poorer performance. Frustrations also were shared about hiring freezes, working overtime and the worry of further cuts.