The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is now feeling the pinch of the state’s budget shortfall.
Supporters of the agency said they worry any further cuts to the state’s Department of Public Safety could threaten the safety of Oklahoma highways.
Troopers said they’ve seen cuts at OHP due to the state’s budget since 2010. They add the staff gets smaller each year.
“You’ve got a limited amount of troopers trying to do the work, just trying to keep their heads above water that doesn’t include any preventative patrolling or any public service, going to schools, doing any speaking,” said trooper Dwight Durant, a public information officer for Troop B in Tulsa County.
State legislators are currently working on a $1.3 billion shortfall for the 2017 fiscal year. This could mean the state’s Department of Public Safety could see some cuts to save money.
Source: Highway Patrol feeling pinch of state budget deficit | KTUL
