OPINION/COLUMN
Accountability is one of the most important qualities of a leader. It means taking responsibility for your team, your organization and the decisions made under your leadership.
No one can lead effectively without the awareness and self-discipline that accountability requires. We elect people to positions of public trust, and it is our responsibility to hold them accountable for their actions.
That is why the recent report about the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) from the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) is so concerning. There was a lack of accountability in the agency under its leader.
You may recall that the Legislature recognized this lack of accountability and took action by removing the agency’s director. We did this to protect Oklahomans, especially some of the most vulnerable among us.
As a longtime nurse, and someone who has spent decades caring for families in our community, I know how deeply health care affects every aspect of a person’s life. I also know how vital it is that our state’s mental health and substance abuse services function with both compassion and competence. Unfortunately, as revealed in the LOFT report, ODMHSAS was not meeting that standard.
The report documents serious missteps in budgeting practices under the agency’s former leadership.
It revealed that funds were being moved around inappropriately, used for purposes other than what the Legislature intended, and that spending often exceeded the agency’s approved budget. This kind of financial mismanagement created a situation where the department had to request additional money just to keep operations going through the end of the fiscal year.
These findings validate the Legislature’s decision to remove the former director and reinforce why strong financial oversight is essential. When public dollars are involved, especially in agencies serving people in crisis, we must hold leaders accountable. The care and safety of Oklahomans depend on it.
ODMHSAS not only failed to properly budget for services but also increased administrative spending during a budget shortfall, mishandled contracts and treated state funds as interchangeable or fungible.
When the Legislature allocates funding for a specific purpose, agencies are required by law to use the funds for that purpose.
As a member of the joint House and Senate committee that investigated ODMHSAS, I believe this report provides a much-needed roadmap for reform for all state agencies entrusted with taxpayer dollars. We owe it to every Oklahoman to demand integrity and clarity in how funds are spent.
As we take the time this week to reflect on what it means to be an independent state within a free nation, I hope we also remember our shared duty to one another.
Independence does not mean doing things alone.
It means working together to protect the freedoms and well-being of all people, especially the most vulnerable.
I wish you and your family a safe, joyful and meaningful Independence Day. I am praying for you all!
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. My email address is cynthia.roe@okhouse.gov, or you can call my office at 405557-7365.
