GOP Leader Says Ethics Funding A Priority
A top Republican House leader said Wednesday that allocating more money to the Ethics Commission will be a priority this session.
The commission's duties have expanded over the last few years, but its operating budget has been cut by half, Executive Director Marilyn Hughes told the House Rules Committee.
Rep. Greg Piatt, the House majority leader, said, "Our responsibility is to adequately fund the Ethics Commission. I believe that will be one of our priorities this year."
The Ethics Commission oversees campaign activities of elected officials and apparently has been looking into questionable fundraising by House Republicans in the 2004 and 2006 elections. Former Speaker Lance Cargill, who resigned last week, led the House GOP political action committee in 2004. He was the speaker during the 2006 election.
Hughes said the commission has seven employees, just as it had in 1994. She is seeking funds to pay for an additional lawyer and investigator. Operational dollars have dwindled as the agency used them to pay for increased benefits and other fixed costs that have not been funded by the Legislature.
Rep. Lucky Lamons, D-Tulsa, has filed a bill calling for an overall Ethics Commission budget of $886,980, an increase of more than $380,000.
The commission's duties have expanded over the last few years, but its operating budget has been cut by half, Executive Director Marilyn Hughes told the House Rules Committee.
Rep. Greg Piatt, the House majority leader, said, "Our responsibility is to adequately fund the Ethics Commission. I believe that will be one of our priorities this year."
The Ethics Commission oversees campaign activities of elected officials and apparently has been looking into questionable fundraising by House Republicans in the 2004 and 2006 elections. Former Speaker Lance Cargill, who resigned last week, led the House GOP political action committee in 2004. He was the speaker during the 2006 election.
Hughes said the commission has seven employees, just as it had in 1994. She is seeking funds to pay for an additional lawyer and investigator. Operational dollars have dwindled as the agency used them to pay for increased benefits and other fixed costs that have not been funded by the Legislature.
Rep. Lucky Lamons, D-Tulsa, has filed a bill calling for an overall Ethics Commission budget of $886,980, an increase of more than $380,000.
Labels: Ethics Commission, Greg Piatt, Lucky Lamons
posted by Mike McCarville @ 10:28 AM
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