Ethics Commission Threatens Lawsuit Over Possible Cuts
Chairman of Oklahoma Ethics Commission accuses legislators of retaliation
by Nolan Clay, NewsOK.com
The chairman of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission is accusing legislators of retaliating against the watchdog agency by illegally cutting its budget.
“I am appalled,” the chairman, John C. Hawkins, wrote in an email sent Sunday to state senators and House members. “The retaliation on a state agency by cutting their budget for doing their job is unconscionable.”
The Ethics Commission may sue.
Hawkins complained in his email that legislators took the action because of new restrictions imposed on gift getting and on becoming a lobbyist after leaving office.