Meacham blasted for opposition to audit

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The chair of a House committee blasted State Treasurer Scott Meacham for opposing a proposal that would earmark $1 million for an audit of the state Department of Corrections.

That line-item, state records show, is part of a recently passed budget agreement developed by House and Senate leaders. The bill -- House Bill 1234 -- has drawn the fire of Gov. Brad Henry and his chief budget negotiator, Meacham. Neither Henry nor Meacham participated in meetings that spawned the bill.

On Friday, state Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs, claimed Meacham has a "poor track record" when it comes to making budget projections.

"'Meacham math' certainly isn't doing the state any favors," Duncan, chair of the House Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, said in an e-mailed media statement. "Given his failures on the tobacco tax and lottery, it's clear (he) has a poor track record when it comes to making projections. He has aggravated the harmful cycle of band-aid supplemental spending on prisons, and it's time to stop that cycle."

Duncan continued, accusing Meacham of having "consistently low-balled" budget estimates for DOC.

"In each case the Legislature appropriated millions more for state prisons than recommended by the executive branch, and then had to make supplemental appropriations on top of that year after year," Duncan charged.

Friday afternoon Meacham's spokesman, Tim Allen, downplayed Duncan's statement. "It sounds like we struck a nerve," Allen said.

Allen said lawmakers have failed to provide the proper funding for the corrections department.

"Consistently, the administration has proposed funding for the Department of Corrections as requested by the Department of Corrections," he said. "And consistently, the Legislature has failed to adaquetly fund the Department of Corrections and has been forced to come back in and pass supplemental appropriations."

Duncan said the audit's $1 million price tag is a fraction of DOC's total budget. "Meacham should stop protecting mediocrity after four years of failed policies to address problems in Oklahoma's prisons," he said.

But Meacham, Allen said, is not opposed to an audit.

"An audit is fine. But earlier, the state auditor did a complete audit of DOC and it only cost $16,000. And now, the Legislature needs $1 million for the same thing?"

Duncan said neither Meacham nor the governor questioned the proposal when it was first introduced in January.

"If Meacham wants to oppose reform measures, then I think he is out on island by himself," Duncan said. "I certainly hope the governor repudiates this stance."

Allen countered, saying responsibility for the problem was the Legislature's.

"They've never wanted to bite the bullet and do what they needed to do," he said. "That's the problem."

The Governor has until Wednesday to take action on the bill.