Paul Wesselhoft, Sally Kern ask to axe government funds to nonprofits
Well THIS is interesting. Here’s a press release from the state House of Representatives:
OKLAHOMA CITY – State Reps. Paul Wesselhoft and Sally Kern this week delivered a letter to Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin asking her to block tax dollars that would go to non-profit organizations.
“We do not think tax dollars should go to non-profit organizations. I believe this spending is unethical and, if not illegal, at least contrary to the spirit of the Oklahoma Constitution,” said Wesselhoft, R-Moore.
“Although we approved appropriations to various agencies, we have found that some of that money will be spent on non-profit organizations,” said Kern, R-Oklahoma City. “When lawmakers pass a state budget, they intend that the money be spent by the agency appropriately. Tax dollars are intended to fund government programs, not other organizations. I think it is a terrible practice and we are calling for it to stop.”
Some examples of non-profit entities receiving taxpayer dollars include Clem McSpadden Roping ($50,000 over a two-year period), the IPRA National Finals Rodeo ($50,000 over a two-year period); the Rural Enterprise Institute ($2.25 million over a three-year period), the OK Expo ($2 million for fiscal year 2013), the Jenks Aquarium ($40,000 for fiscal year 2013) and the Red Earth Day Festival ($25,000 for fiscal year 2013).
The two lawmakers have learned that portions of appropriations to four state agencies totaling a little over $12 million in fiscal year 2013 are intended to be spent on non-profits. The agencies are the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation, the Oklahoma Historical Society and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
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