September 5, 2010
By Trevor Brown/CNHI
The Norman Transcript
OKLAHOMA CITY — After narrowly escaping closure earlier in the year, lawmakers say a state-run mental health facility faces tough odds of surviving the next legislative session.
An interim Senate study is investigating the feasibility of continuing operations at the Pauls Valley-based Southern Oklahoma Resource Center, which currently treats 135 patients from all over the state who have mainly severe or profound mental retardation or other disabling conditions. However with the center carrying a price tag of $24.3 million to run annually, several lawmakers said cost cutting needs caused by the state’s financial position could doom the facility.
Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah, who is one of the eight Senate members on the interim study, said the SORC plays an essential role in caring for some of most difficult to treat patients in the state. And while he supports keeping the center running, Wilson said he is pessimistic of how useful the study will be and of its effect on preventing SORC from being closed.
Sen. Jim Halligan, R-Stillwater, who also is on the study group, said it is still too early to forecast if legislators will continue to fund the facility because the state’s budget situation has yet to be fully realized. However, he said many important services might be on the table next session — especially if State Question 744, which would dramatically increase education funding, is passed... FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Sun, September 5, 2010
by Crystal Drwenski