• ODMHSAS Commissioner Allie Friesen requests $23 million to cover payroll through the end of the fiscal year, citing financial mismanagement and lack of transparency.
• Lawmakers express frustration over the agency's shifting financial figures and demand greater accountability before approving additional funding.
• Governor Stitt has brought in an outside expert to assess the department's finances and appointed an attorney to conduct an independent review.

The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is in a state of financial turmoil, struggling to meet its payroll obligations and facing intense scrutiny from state lawmakers. Commissioner Allie Friesen has requested $23 million in emergency funding to cover payroll expenses through the end of the fiscal year. This request comes amidst allegations of internal financial mismanagement, withheld information, and a lack of transparency within the agency. The situation has sparked concern among employees, who fear the potential impact on their livelihoods, and has prompted calls for greater accountability and oversight from state officials.

• What: The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) is facing a budget shortfall and is requesting $23 million in supplemental funding to cover payroll expenses.
• Who: Key individuals include Commissioner Allie Friesen, Deputy Director Gene Blankenship, Governor Kevin Stitt, Attorney General Genter Drummond, Sen. Todd Gollihare, Sen. Paul Rosino, Rep. Kyle Hilbert, Rep. Mark Lawson and CEO of Oklahoma Healthcare Authority Ellen Buettner. Key organizations include ODMHSAS, the Oklahoma State Legislature, and the Oklahoma Public Employees Association.
• When: The immediate crisis is focused on covering payroll through the end of the current fiscal year (ending June 30). The request for supplemental funding was made in early May 2025. The issues have been ongoing for months.
• Where: The events are occurring within the state of Oklahoma, primarily in Oklahoma City at the state capitol and within the ODMHSAS offices.

The financial crisis at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services reflects a complex interplay of factors, including alleged internal mismanagement, a lack of transparency, and potential withholding of crucial financial information. The shifting figures presented by the agency have eroded trust with lawmakers, making it difficult to secure the necessary funding. The situation is further complicated by political tensions, with the Attorney General calling for the Commissioner's removal. The uncertainty surrounding the agency's financial stability poses a significant risk to the provision of mental health services in Oklahoma and the livelihoods of its employees.

"Without 100% uncertainty on that number, the $23 million does seem to be the most accurate number that we can come to based on looking at what we believe to be factual out of our people, soft accounting software and the reporting that is pulled out of that and compiled, but there are underlying concerns based on personnel and vacancy issues and things that have been done in practice to create those budgets that gives me uncertainty to how accurate the budgeted numbers are"

"The things that we were hearing the most is how am I going to pay my mortgage? How am I going to pay for my insurance? You know, my medications."

"Oklahomans deserve answers to this, too. This is our money. This is taxpayer money, and we take that very, very seriously. Frankly, it's been treated like Monopoly money."

"Is this really a crisis or is it just a lack of accountability that they don't understand what they need?"

As the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services navigates a precarious financial landscape marked by a significant budget shortfall and allegations of fiscal mismanagement, the path forward demands more than just immediate financialBand-Aids. Securing funds to meet payroll and sustain essential services remains critical in the short-term. However, the agency faces mounting pressure from multiple investigations, including a special state audit, a review by the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency, and a special investigator appointed by the Governor. These probes aim to dissect past financial practices, contracting procedures, and overall governance, with findings suggesting years of poor budgeting and a lack of transparency. This scrutiny, coupled with leadership changes and calls for further accountability, points to a future where the ODMHSAS must undergo a fundamental shift towards greater financial clarity, ethical conduct, and efficient resource allocation to restore public trust and ensure the long-term stability of mental health services for Oklahomans.