OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Latest on issues surrounding budget cuts by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. (all times local):
4:10 p.m.
The Oklahoma House Appropriations and Budget Committee chair has been removed a day after she and two other lawmakers publicly disagreed with the House speaker on cuts by the state Department of Human Services.
A spokesman for Republican Speaker Charles McCall said Tuesday that McCall decided to replace Republican Leslie Osborn after a private conversation with Osborn. Spokesman Jason Sutton said it "has nothing to do" with her comments about spending cuts.
GOP Rep. Kevin Wallace will replace Osborn as committee chair.
On Friday, McCall questioned why DHS would cut $30 million in services after receiving a $53 million budget increase.
On Monday, Osborn and two other GOP lawmakers said they're concerned over what they consider a "mischaracterization" of the cuts and said rising costs have outpaced budget increases.
Osborn couldn't be reached for comment.
10:20 a.m.
Some Oklahoma lawmakers are questioning the state Department of Human Services for making program cuts that total almost $30 million after receiving an 8 percent boost in appropriations.
The Oklahoman reports the department says years of chronic underfunding forced it to reduce services for children and vulnerable adults.
House Speaker Charles McCall says the cuts show that the agency needs to be audited. He says he was surprised by the cuts because the Legislature diligently worked to help meet the agency's needs.
However, House Appropriation and Budget Chair Leslie Osborn says the agency's costs have grown $175 million in recent years.
In order to cover those costs, the department plans to implement cost-saving measures. Those include reducing foster parent payments and eliminating roughly 277,000 senior meals.
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