Reynolds: House Fails To Back Ethics Reform

Rep. Mike Reynolds said lawmakers missed the opportunity today to back their ethics-reform rhetoric with actual funding.

"The Oklahoma House of Representatives had the opportunity to fully fund the state Ethics Commission for the first time in state history," said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. "Unfortunately, it appears the House is paying lip service to the idea of ethics reform instead of real service. The Ethics Commission cannot monitor and protect the integrity of our campaign finance system unless the agency is given a budget that will allow them to truly investigate complaints. That didn't happen today."

During floor activity Tuesday morning, Reynolds offered an amendment that would have significantly increased the Ethics Commission's budget to roughly $900,000 per year. The amendment was defeated twice.

A similar amendment offered by Rep. Lucky Lamons (D-Tulsa), was also defeated twice, Reynolds noted.

"Today's action on the House floor was a setback, but it won't be the last word on ethics reform," Reynolds said. "I will continue this fight throughout the legislative session."

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