Human resources drought

Following Monday’s colossal failure and ineptitude of our Legislature to reform critically needed budget problems, our teachers and hard-working state employees are certain to feel complete demoralization. If current highly publicized attention to our deficiencies failed to motivate action, then what will? Longstanding vacancies in critical core positions will only worsen productivity, already at the point of collapse in provision of vital services. Our most capable well-trained employees are being forced to leave for appropriate compensation, and absolutely no one is coming to fill these vacancies. Responsible stewards of business know the cost effectiveness and value of attracting and retaining reliable competent employees, and the high cost of frequent turnover, retraining and absenteeism that are predictable consequence of underpaying for quality performance.

Critical staff shortages permeate all departments of state government. Chronic insufficient staffing promotes stress and dissatisfaction among remaining dedicated, responsible employees, leading to burnout and cynicism, growing worse with each session’s failure to properly meet fair compensation of state employees. Stagnant wages with eroding benefits during the past decade now glaringly contrast with daily news reports of bonuses and increasing wages within the private sector.

Oklahoma’s future holds myriad tragedies such as prison riots, federal oversight of corrections, absence of teachers to effectively educate future generations, deficient public safety, inaccessible health care, and unattainable vital safety net services for our most vulnerable — all a consequence of the drought of precious human resources brought upon our citizenry by legislative cowardice. Hold them responsible.

Ross Fisher, Blanchard