Medical Examiner's Office Gets Supplemental Funding

Wednesday, June 27th 2007, 9:49 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Governor Brad Henry and legislative leaders agree Wednesday to provide nearly $1 million in supplemental funding to the state Office of the Medical Examiner.

That office will get $980,600 to relieve problems caused by underfunding, retirements and resignations. The money will be in addition to a $4.8 million appropriation for the 2008 fiscal year that begins on Sunday.

The agency operates on a $6.4 million dollar budget that includes fees, federal funds and other revenue sources. The supplemental funds will permit the agency to raise salaries for the chief and deputy chief medical examiners and for pathologists.

Officials at the agency said funding problems threatened its national accreditation and future court cases.

ME Chief Investigator Kevin Rowland says raises for the chief medical examiner, deputy chief and pathologists will help with retention and recruitment.