Sen. Patrick Anderson wants Oklahoma food program to get funding
Nutrition sites face closure
BY MICHAEL MCNUTT
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Published: October 27, 2009
A state senator continues to plead with the governor to use some of his discretionary funds he received as part of the federal stimulus dollars to keep Oklahoma’s senior nutrition programs operating at present levels.
Sen. Patrick Anderson said the $7.4 million that the state Department of Human Services cut from the senior nutrition program because of declining state revenue will take effect Sunday.
"This has caused these centers to initiate plans to close facilities, limit services and furlough employees,” said Anderson, R-Enid. "The end result is that thousands of
Oklahoma seniors who depend upon a daily meal at these centers or get a mobile meal delivered to their home will simply not get fed.”
Anderson last week asked
Gov. Brad Henry to use part of his $105.7 million in federal discretionary funds for the senior nutrition programs.
Legislators intend to find money for the senior nutrition centers, but they are not scheduled to return in session until February.
"The only solution available is the governor,” Anderson said. "He can direct those funds be spent any way he chooses.” Anderson said he is asking Henry to fund the program "so that we can provide daily meals for these seniors through the winter. Once the Legislature convenes in February, the ball will be in our court — but until then we need the governor to act.”
Anderson challenged Henry to disclose how he plans to spend his discretionary funds if he decided not to spend any of it on the senior nutrition programs.
Henry’s spokesman said last week the discretionary funds are intended to be spent on one-time projects. Using that money on existing programs would make it difficult to continue to fund them after the money was spent.
Paul Sund, Henry’s communications director, on Monday released the governor’s application for his discretionary funds. The form is part of Oklahoma’s application for about $641 in stimulus budget stabilization funds. About half those funds were allocated for this fiscal year’s $7.2 billion budget, which started July 1.
The form for the governor’s discretionary funds lists several broad categories, and the governor was to fill in the percentage of his share to be used.
According to the application, of the $105.7 million:
• $34.7 million is targeted for elementary and secondary education, excluding renovation or repairs.
• $31.2 million is for higher education, excluding renovation or repairs.
• $17.8 million for reimbursement to cities and towns for infrastructure repair or disaster relief, or for water conservation infrastructure.
• $10 million is for
Medicaid.
• $6.2 million is for public safety.
• $3 million is for renovating or repairing public school facilities.
• $2.8 million is for public assistance.
Sund said more details on how the money is being spent will be available as the governor’s office completes more detailed reporting required by the federal government.
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