Insurance commissioner in the crosshairs

State Insurance Commissioner John Doak’s tenure has often been marked by controversy. Now lawmakers appear ready to rein him in.

Senate Bill 8, which would prohibit investigators from operating specialized motor vehicles equipped and marked differently than other department vehicles, gained unanimous approval in a state Senate committee this week. State Sen. Harry Coates, R-Seminole, said the legislation was in response to Doak having purchased police vehicles for his anti-fraud unit. Doak may have to sell those vehicles if SB 8 becomes law.

Senators also discussed amending the legislation to prevent Doak’s investigators from carrying firearms because of the precedent it would set for other state agencies.

We were among those who questioned the need for Doak to spend more than $180,000 on everything from shotguns to police-package vehicles for his anti-fraud unit, noting his predecessor got the job done without such extravagance. It appears lawmakers had the same reaction.