DHS Seeks 436 New Workers

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The state Department of Human Services is seeking 436 new full-time workers in its budget request for the upcoming year -- more than any other state agency.

But DHS submitted its budget requests last fall before state financial officials projected a decline in state revenue for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Projections indicate revenue will decline about $309 million in the upcoming fiscal year, shrinking the amount lawmakers will have to spend to $6.8 billion from $7.1 billion in the previous fiscal year.

The DHS budget request includes 126 new caseworkers and comes as state officials await the results of an independent performance audit ordered by the Oklahoma House last year.

The results are expected before lawmakers convene the 2009 Oklahoma Legislature on Feb. 2.