OKLAHOMA CITY – House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, released the following statement in light of new developments on needed funds at the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services:

"The House has had three public meetings with ODMHSAS and their fiscal staff attempting to determine the amount of funding the agency needs to maintain critical services and get through FY25. On March 31, the House was told that the agency would not have a cash flow issue before the end of the legislative session.

However, last night I was informed by the Commissioner that they would be unable to meet basic payroll obligations beginning next week. Since that conversation, the date for running out of funds according to the Commissioner has shifted from May 7 to May 21.

We know the services the department delivers to Oklahomans are vital and, in many cases, life and death. However, the House has no faith in the current fiscal position of the department. We have taken every step to understand the fiscal needs of this agency but frankly the systemic mismanagement that has been uncovered is appalling. We have asked the Commissioner to meet publicly with the House Select Committee on Mental Health Monday morning to explain under oath how they have reached this latest number.

We are out of time and will not accept any more delays. Individuals at ODMHSAS have known about this shortfall for months yet it is the final month of legislative session and we still do not have answers. This is unacceptable.

We will get to the bottom of how this happened and who is responsible. The people of Oklahoma deserve better than this dysfunction. Our top priority remains maintaining vital services while also being good stewards of taxpayer dollars."

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