Published: May 12, 2008 09:31 am            

Legislators discuss drug court program

State and county politicians discussed drug court at the Pryor Area Chamber of Commerce Eggs & Issues Friday. The meeting, held at the Pryor Elks Lodge, provides coverage on Oklahoma’s legislative session and reports for Mayes County and the City of Pryor.

State Representative Ben Sherrer feels the state should change its way of thinking about the department of corrections. Oklahoma is number one in the nation for incarceration of women, which incurs extra costs. Oklahoma has 26,000 people in its correctional department, while the state of Kansas has 9,000. Over half the offenders are considered non-violent.

Sherrer said most non-violent offenders are drug users.

“Not to be soft on crime,” said Sherrer, “I’m a huge supporter of drug court.”

He hopes misdemeanor drug court programs will deter other offenders.

Drug court programs cost $5,000 a year per person. Incarceration costs run $20,000 a year per person. Offenders can become involved in the drug court programs when they are first convicted.

“I have seen some amazing things in drug court,” commented Mayes County Court Clerk Lori Parsons.

Parsons said drug court has made such a difference she would hire some rehabilitated women in her own office.

Former American Castings president Dalton Babineaux broached the subject of workman’s compensation. American Castings Human Resource manager Lori Nichols said she sees no problem with Oklahoma workman’s compensation system. Though she feels Mayes County has good judges, she said judges need to do a better job of interpreting the law.

“Employers can lose cases when it’s evident they shouldn’t,” said Nichols. “Judges don’t go by the doctor’s charts.”

State Senator Sean Burrage said with two weeks left in the legislative session the state has no extra revenue this year.

“We’re in better shape than some,” said Burrage.

Burrage said the state spent seven billion dollars this year.

“Over half of that went to education,” he said.

Sherrer called the flat budget a blessing and a curse.

“There is not that much to fight over,” he pointed out, adding, “It’s difficult to make a determination where you could cut if you had to.”

Sanders Mitchell, Administrator of Mid America Industrial Park, praised Burrage and Sherrer for their representation of Mayes County.

“They really care a lot about their districts,” he said. “They’ve hit the ground running to do what we ask.”

Mayes County Commissioner Larry Ramsey said the county is still recovering from flooding. Ramsey said fuel cost is the main issue for the county.

Commissioner Alva Martin reported that work is continuing on the Strang Bridge. He said the bridge will be great for Mayes County.

“It’s looking like it will open the end of May,” said Martin.

Pryor Mayor Jimmy Tramel said the city is working to accomodate handicapped individuals.

“We’re trying to do everything we can to help these people,” he said.

“Our numbers are flat this year,” Tramel said of the city budget.

The city has seen an eight to nine percent increase from sales tax in previous years.

        

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