More state agencies announce worker furloughs after funding cuts

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Another Oklahoma agency is announcing furloughs and other agencies are considering them as state officials cut funding again after low tax collections in August. <br><br>The Oklahoma

Tuesday, September 17th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Another Oklahoma agency is announcing furloughs and other agencies are considering them as state officials cut funding again after low tax collections in August.

The Oklahoma Indignent Defense System will furlough all of its 171 employees. Each worker will stay away from the job two days each month. It saves the agency about $60,000 a month.

``We're losing $723,000,'' said Executive Director Jim Bednar. ``We'll have to take the next logical step.''

The Oklahoma Historical Society, which furloughed all of its employees and closed the state's 33 museums and historic sites for four days during the last fiscal year, says the cuts will take some kind of toll on the jobs of its 161 workers.

``We're still trying to find other areas where we can cut, but I'm not hopeful,'' said Bob Blackburn, the Historical Society's executive director. ``It's not a matter of whether we will, it's a matter of when. I don't know if it's going to be furloughs or a reduction in force.''

The Historical Society is letting about 16 positions go unfilled, and Blackburn said the state will probably close some museums.

Furloughs are also possible at the state Tourism and Recreation Department where 500 employees were furloughed last fiscal year.

``That's always an option,'' said Executive Director Jane Jayroe. ``We'll do everything to avoid it, but we will take an additional $1.3 million cut in funding.''

The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Department has ruled out furloughs and will, instead, cut program funding. That means some clients will lose services. The agency furloughed almost all of its 1,100 employees for at least three days in May and June.

Oklahoma's Medicaid program could cut benefits for 35,000 to 40,000 Oklahomans with programs for pregnant women, children and the disabled taking the biggest reductions.

The Corrections Department's 4,956 employees will be furloughed 23 eight-hour days beginning Nov. 1.

A state employees group says the furloughs are not helping anything.

``They destroy the investment Oklahoma taxpayers have in those employees' long-term knowledge and training,'' said Gary Jones, Oklahoma Public Employees Association executive director. ``Agencies must first look to expenditures such as equipment and supplies, travel and vacancies.''