Why is ODMHSAS still struggling so much?

About this episode

Andy & Emily discuss the challenges faced by ODMHSAS regarding funding and transparency in government processes.

Andy & Emily discuss how late-night lawmaking and budget maneuvers reduce transparency, then unpack a pressing—and persistent—Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services funding gap that prompted agency heads to hold a “premature” press conference about consolidating ODMHSAS into the Department of Health, despite concerns that consolidation won’t solve a roughly $20–30 million shortfall. They also talk property tax sticker shock, strategic party registration for the gubernatorial primary, and promote CIVICS CON (April 9–10 at Rose State College).

People in this episode

Hosts: Andy, Emily

Topics covered

• mental health funding
• government transparency
• budget maneuvers
• property tax
• gubernatorial primary
• CIVICS CON

Keywords

• ODMHSAS
• funding gap
• lawmaking
• budget
• consolidation
• property tax
• CIVICS CON

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Department of Health

Places: Rose State College

More episodes of Let's Pod This

• Primary Predictions · June 12, 2026 · 53 min
• Session recap (with Shawn Ashley) · May 28, 2026 · 57 min
• "Too liberal for Oklahoma" and other jokes · May 22, 2026 · 1h 8m
• Why Voting Matters (with Erika Wright) · May 20, 2026 · 39 min
• Gerrymaxxing (with Shanisty Whittington) · May 7, 2026 · 1h 13m
• Is this the end of the Voting Rights Act? · May 1, 2026 · 47 min