A nonprofit that connects Oklahoma residents to emergency services is emblematic of what similar agencies that rely on a mix of private and state money are facing as state officials decide what to do with $140 million in unspent funding.
The 211 Oklahoma program derives about one-third of its annual budget from the state Department of Human Services, one of several Oklahoma agencies that have endured budget cuts.
The state's mid-year budget cuts were deeper than necessary. Gov. Mary Fallin has proposed a special session to allocate the money to teachers for raises. Some lawmakers favor returning the funds to state agencies.
Donnie House with 211 Oklahoma says the nonprofit may be forced to trim staff and scale back service hours if $600,000 in state funding isn't restored.