Ethics commission wants special session for increased funding

By John Greiner

Published: June 17, 2008

The chairman of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission announced today he’s asked the governor to call a special session to deal with the commission’s funding problems, saying it is a matter of constitutional urgency.

Donald M. Bingham, commission chairman, submitted a letter to Gov. Brad Henry, saying that although current commission needs are modest, the Legislature has been unwilling to meet even those budgetary needs.

The commission’s appropriation for the 2009 fiscal year that begins July 1 was $667,000, a 30 percent increase.

But the commission requested $906,000.

It has 7 employees, the same number it has had since 1991, said Marilyn Hughes, executive director of the commission.

Paul Sund, spokesman for Henry, said the governor is willing to sit down with legislators to discuss the issue as he did during the session but thinks it would be premature to call a special session without having a specific funding agreement.

The Ethics Commission develops rules of ethical conduct for candidates running for election. It also provides assistance in monitoring and disclosure of campaign financing, official conduct, political activity and personal financial disclosure of public officials’ and employees’ lobbying activity.

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