FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Brittany M. Novotny
Candidate for House District 84
P.O. Box 374
Bethany, OK 73008
Adam Gleason, Campaign Manager
405-702-3483
Novotny Calls for State to Fund Senior Nutrition Programs
Oklahoma City, OK – October 29, 2009
Because of a drop in state revenue, the state Department of Human Services implemented a budget cut to nutrition programs in July. In late September, DHS announced a second budget cut of 30% or $7.4 million for nutrition programs statewide. The money being cut from these programs is currently used by area agencies on aging across the state to pay for senior nutrition centers and home-delivered meals.
“Taking care of our seniors is not just a moral imperative, but also was so important that we addressed it in Article XXV, Section 1 of our Oklahoma Constitution. I find it interesting that the legislature found money last session to expand government spending on a website to publish women’s private health information, while many of our most needy senior citizens are being asked to go without the hot meals that they so desperately need,” said Brittany Novotny, 2010 candidate for House District 84.
Oklahoma County Democrats are encouraging Gov. Brad Henry and legislative leaders to return to the Capitol for a special session and look for other possible cuts to less vital programs or find other ways to restore the funding for senior nutrition programs. If no action is taken, the cuts to the senior nutrition programs will go into effect Monday, November 2, 2009.
why is it thatyou cut out the funds to our senior meals on wheels program but you helped pass the maps .when we have seniors that depend on meals on wheels to keep from starving or is it because they don’t matter any more they voted and put you in office but you let them down we will remember this when you run for office again
Junior,
Thank you for taking the time to visit the website and comment. Currently, I do not hold office as the Representative for HD 84, and thus did not have a hand in any current budget cuts to any programs in Oklahoma. As noted above, however, I did join Oklahoma County Democrats in calling for legislators to return to the Capitol to figure out a better way to make cuts, rather than across the board cuts that some programs could not absorb, such as the senior nutrition program.
The issue of state budget cuts is separate from the municipal tax issue that was faced by OKC voters in the MAPS 3 vote. I supported MAPS 3, because I believe it will create jobs, improve our economy, and keep Oklahoma City moving forward. By improving the economy in Oklahoma City, programs that are paid for by the state will benefit because of increased state revenue as well.
As a candidate for the state legislature, I’m committed to supporting policies that will bring good JOBS to the state, help improve EDUCATION, and invest in our TRANSPORTATION infrastructure. Working together, I believe that we can and will build a brighter future for Oklahoma.
Thank you again for your comments and concerns.
Sincerely,
Brittany