Mike Reynolds, Jerry Fent Team Up To Challenge Appropriations Bills
Lawsuit alleges Oklahoma officials violated state Constitution in appropriations bills
by Rick Green
A former legislator has filed a lawsuit against the governor and other state officials, alleging that budget bills from the past three years are unconstitutional.
Former Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, alleges these bills violate state constitutional provisions that such bills shall be limited strictly to appropriations. The suit contends the bills, in addition to appropriating money, also involved transferring millions of dollars from one area of state government to another.
As the state has faced budget challenges in recent years, budget writers have increasingly relied on pulling money out of state agency revolving funds to make ends meet.
Gov. Mary Fallin had no immediate comment on the litigation.