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Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications
Division
State
Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
For Immediate Release: March 10, 2011
Sen. Brian Bingman
Senate offers second buy-out; implements additional cost-saving
measures
The Oklahoma State Senate is continuing efforts to reduce costs
within the agency in anticipation of additional budget cuts in the
coming fiscal year. That’s according to Senate President Pro
Tempore Brian Bingman who has been working with members and staff
to find more innovative ways to reduce costs.
“We recently informed our staff that the Senate would offer
another round of voluntary buyouts this year. We offered this program
during the 2010 session and 25 employees accepted, resulting in
a savings of $1.8 million,” said Bingman, R-Sapulpa.
Senate staff began taking one furlough day a month beginning last
July. By the end of the current fiscal year, the unpaid days-off
will have resulted in an additional $360,000 in savings. Although
the Oklahoma Constitution prevents lawmakers from changing their
own salary, Bingman said Senators wanted to find ways to join with
staff in the belt-tightening.
“We’ve been working long hours in our floor sessions
so that we will be able to adjourn on Wednesday, March 16, one day
earlier than a regular legislative week. This will result in a per
diem savings of close to $5,000, with additional days planned in
April and May for a total savings of $14,700,” Bingman said.
“I’ve also authored Senate Bill 607 which authorizes
us to reduce legislative per diems for additional savings. That
bill will be heard next week.”
Traditionally the Senate has contracted for the printing of leather-bound
copies of the chambers rules for its members, for a cost of $7,000
every two years. This year, a paper-bound version was printed in-house
for about $100.
A moratorium on out-of-state travel continues with an expected total
savings this fiscal year of $60,500. Reductions in the Senate Page
Program will result in $44,500 in savings. The elimination of coffee
and water service will save more than $26,000 by the end of June.
“All of these efforts, without even including the second round
of buy-outs, will ultimately result in more than $2.3 million in
reductions for the State Senate for fiscal year 2011,” Bingman
said. “In addition, our freshman senators have session-only,
part-time executive assistants. This will save a projected $500,000.”
“I want to commend all our senators, our executive assistants
and our staff for their hard work and sacrifices which have enabled
us to balance our budget,” Bingman said, noting the Senate
has seen more than 20 percent in budget cuts since just two years
ago, and has seen the total staff reduced by about 20 percent as
well. “We have fewer people and fewer resources, but all of
us are working together to ensure the business of the people continues
to be done in a professional and efficient way.”
For more information contact:
Sen. Bingman: (405) 521-5605
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