GOP House leaders fire four more staffers

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Four full-time employees of the state House of Representatives were fired in what Republican leaders called a cost-saving move. <br/><br/>Friday's firings are the latest from the

Saturday, June 18th 2005, 12:10 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Four full-time employees of the state House of Representatives were fired in what Republican leaders called a cost-saving move.

Friday's firings are the latest from the first GOP administration of the House in more than 80 years. When the Republicans took over in December, they fired dozens of employees and reduced House staff by about 10 percent.

Jane Maroney, an 18-year-employee who worked as a postal clerk, was in tears Friday after being told by Chief of Staff Doug Enevoldsen that she needed to leave her office by the end of the day.

``This is so painful for me. I haven't even looked at life beyond this,'' Maroney said.

Damon Gardenhire, House Speaker Todd Hiett's press secretary, said it was determined that the most recently eliminated positions should be combined with other jobs or last only during the legislative session. He said the move would save taxpayers more than $130,000 in salaries and benefits.

Enevoldsen said in a prepared statement that ``this small realignment today reflects responsible stewardship of public funds.''

The fired employees and their salaries are: Maroney, postal clerk, $31,900; Jlynn Hartman, clerk, $35,528; Debbie Nauman, postal clerk, $27,900; and Carol Davis, document runner, $20,120.

A fifth employee's position will not be filled when she becomes eligible for retirement in September, officials confirmed.

Another employee, Brett Farley, is leaving the House staff after concern was raised about partisanship among workers in nonpartisan staff positions.

Farley is the GOP chairman for Logan County and has worked with The Veritas Group, which promotes Republican candidates. His salary was $35,000 a year.

Gardenhire said Farley's leaving has nothing to do with eliminating the jobs of the others.

The House has 136 full-time employees and 95 who work only during the session from February through May. The Senate has 141 full-time employees and 27 who work only during the session. There are 101 House members and 48 senators.