Reality may finally be overtaking perception as legislators are reaching a point where Oklahoma's money crunch is "getting down -- finally -- to where people realize there's a money problem in Oklahoma."

State Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield (D-Ardmore) expressed this concept Friday during the Ardmore Chamber of Commerce legislative luncheon, taking the observation a step further:

"In two years we're talking about a billion dollars (being) gone that we had two years ago," blaming restrictive legislation enacted before he was elected to the Senate. Specifically, he mentioned the proposition prohibiting the Legislature from raising taxes without a three-fourths approval of the House and Senate or a vote of the people. The proposition was adopted in the early '90s.

"People do not perceive there's a problem (with state financing)," Crutchfield said. Meanwhile, he and Rep. Greg Piatt (R-Ardmore) touched on where cuts are going to be made, how much and problems raised in funding nursing homes, child care and other social programs.

Crutchfield anticipates "a ground swell" from the people when cuts take place. He feels people will "demand a special session to enact tax measures" dealing with the money crunch.

On the broad issue, Piatt agrees there's no quick fix -- "you never have enough money." He spoke also of changes that can be made, citing his own move to move the teacher rehiring date from April 10 to May 15. That move centers on the date a teacher contract for the following year must be finally approved.

"We've got to find out how much we really need," Piatt added. He called for attention to prevention programs.

Brad Ballard chaired the report session at Ryan's Steak House, introducing the legislators.

Opening with a review of the work week, Crutchfield touched on Senate action on the water bill (aquifer), cockfighting and reinstating the prison cap law.

The measure to protect and study aquifer water sources had language problems, Crutchfield said. Corrections have been made.

Admittedly, cockfighting is a pro-con issue that goes beyond SQ 687 passed by the people. Simply explained, the question going to a state vote will center only on the penalty question, not a legal issue on fighting chickens or possessing equipment. Crutchfield said the state question was written in a way that offered no options on penalties.

"They (backers) wrote it the way they wanted and that's the way it went to the people," he said. "A lot of people did not want it (fighting or possession) to be a felony, but they had no choice. It was either this or that."

Pointing to penalties more severe than those imposed for burglary, second-degree manslaughter and child molestation, he called the penalties "totally out of line." If adopted on the revised plan, the violation would classify as a misdemeanor.

In discussing the cap law, Crutchfield said any talk about prison system reform results in being branded soft on crime from political opponents. Yet, failure to deal with problems that have doubled the prison population in eight years "is gutting the state budget." Using the cap law would affect non-violent offenders within 60 days of release.

Admittedly, the senator and Piatt disagreed on this issue. Piatt said a study by the Kay County District Attorney determined that 75 percent of those convicted from his jurisdiction were violent offenders, but were not identified as such because of the system. Piatt said multiple count charges usually identifies the prisoner according to the first entry. If that entry is non-violent another such as aggravated rape may be overlooked.

Piatt also observed that Oklahoma's prison count includes private prisons and not all those incarcerated are Oklahomans.

With questions from the audience, including a Task Force on Child Abuse Prevention, Piatt took the opportunity to correct an incorrect report released Thursday naming him as one of three House members opposing HB 1017 for Oklahoma Health Care Authority funding. The report by Rep. M.C. Leist (D-Morris) identified Piatt as one of three Republicans voting against the measure. Piatt voted for the bill. The erroneous report was corrected Thursday night.

Friday's session ended on an education issue that prompted Crutchfield, a former classroom teacher, to explain that everything not in the classroom is administration. This includes custodial, bus drivers, non-certified positions.

"Right now the law allows school boards to share an administrator," he added.

Saying the state "must eventually" look at school administration and consolidation, Piatt said greater efficiency is needed to put more money in the classroom.

The meeting concluded on a comment that untaxed Internet purchases "are killing our communities." Legislation is pending to change that.

Wilbert Wiggs may be contacted at wwiggs@ardmoreite.com, or by calling (580) 221-6526