Daxon Challenges Henry On Vacation Details

Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Tom Daxon said Friday he is asking the governor's office to disclose specific and detailed information about the chief executive's Spring Break vacation, where he traveled and stayed, how much the trip cost, and who covered the costs of his trip.

Daxon said that during this crucial week at the state Capitol – while legislative leaders have announced and overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan state budget agreement – the governor has apparently been out of state on vacation.

"This week has been an important time for the people's business," said Daxon. "And while the governor has been out of pocket, his financial guru Scott Meacham has been making threats about using the veto pen to shoot down the bipartisan budget. I'm hoping the governor will return next week and that cooler heads will prevail. He should also address questions about where he has been."

All week, Daxon said, the governor's staff members have refused to answer detailed questions about the governor's trip. Friday's edition of the Tulsa World reported the governor's staff was "mum" on the chief executive's whereabouts.

And earlier in the week, the governor's communications director, Paul Sund, responded acrimoniously when Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee mentioned that the governor appeared to be out of state on a Spring Break trip. "Paul Sund has flippantly swatted away questions about the governor's trip by saying such inquiries are 'cheap shots.' I think the governor and his family, like many other families, should be able to take a vacation, especially during the Spring Break period," said Daxon. "But I also think the public has a right to know about his whereabouts when others are speaking on his behalf."

Daxon noted that Sund's refusal to answer questions about the governor's vacation comes close on the heels of "Sunshine Week" – a national event during which most media outlets focus on the need for openness from government officials. "I'm sure the governor's communications staffers will claim that I'm just posturing by asking these questions," said Daxon. "While I acknowledge that I'm in a partisan position as the Republican state party chair, I'm also asking serious questions that deserve respectful and detailed answers."

Share |