Noted Quote

"The only way we will ever achieve full independence is another constitutional amendment, which would take away from the Legislature the purse strings of this agency and allow it to be funded by some other means." ~ Ethics Commission Chairman John Raley

Share |

Raley Named Ethics Commission Chairman

From The Tulsa World ~ John Raley, an outspoken state ethics commissioner, on Friday was named chairman of the watchdog board that scrutinizes candidates' political campaigns.

Raley noted that commissioners do no receive any pay for serving, other than mileage to and from meetings.

"We do it because we love this state and want to serve," said Raley, a former U.S. attorney from Ponca City.

Raley has been the most vocal critic of the state Legislature's failure to fund the state Ethics Commission adequately.

He has threatened to sue the Legislature if it did not substantially increase the commission's budget.

Share |

Ethics Commission Threatens Funds Suit

The Ethics Commission today threatened to sue the Legislature if it doesn't appropriate more money before it adjourns.

"It's a warning," Commissioner John Raley said. "This is what we intend to do."

Last month, legislative leaders and the governor agreed that the commission would receive about $667,000 - a 30 percent increase - for the 2009 fiscal year that starts July 1.

The commission had requested a third more than that, about $906,000, to be adequately funded.

The increased funding does not provide for any additional workers for the Ethic Commission, which has seven employees. One third of the funding increase, or $50,000, is earmarked by legislators for a computer software program for campaign reporting that the commission does not want.

Commission Chairman Don Bingham said commission members hope legislators will at least provide funding for an investigator, which would give the commission two investigators. Legislators are planning to adjourn Friday.

"We're trying to avoid (filing) litigation," Bingham said.

Share |