Budget Cuts Mean Fewer Miles, Hours for Oklahoma DPS Troopers

Oklahoma state troopers will drive less and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol’s aircraft will be grounded more often under new budget cuts announced by the state Department of Public Safety.

DPS Commissioner Michael Thompson says the cuts are difficult but necessary because of a budget shortfall for the agency. Beginning today, troopers will have a daily 100-mile restriction on their patrol cars and OHP aircraft flying hours will be reduced.

The agency says the cutbacks will also affect some dispatch operations between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Oklahoma’s budget woes have forced most state agencies to make cuts, and state revenues are still taking a hit. State finance officials said earlier this month that general revenue collections in October were below forecast by 10 percent.