d, moore, they also took funds (108 million) from the designated tobacco fund to balance the state budget. This fund is susposed to help tobacco cessation, but also help small businesses provide health insurance to their employees. The legislators had no problem taking these funds.

Found it on 9online. "Last September, the state got a windfall in sales tax collections because of a one-time payment of $29 million from a company that sold a large amount of assets."

What was the "anomaly in collections a year ago"?

Sallie, I will not disagree with you. I personally do not know of any out-and-open dishonesty that I have seen in my role at DHS, but I do see a lot of stupidity when dealing with outside vendors. For what we pay some of these contractors and companies, we could hire an army of well-paid state employees, give merit raises to our best employees, and come out millions to the good. Also, the Broken Arrow Supertendant was just run out of town on a rail because he exposed the fact that several school board members had "relationships" with school vendors. I think that happens much more than anyone thinks. What small school supertentdant recently was prosecuted for stealing over a million dollars from the poorest school disrict in the state? I agee, audit to the bone all state agencies. I would welcome it here at DHS, but also break up these sweet deals going on with school boards and vendors.

www.corporatecrimereporter.com...and for the record, this is a great state, I just hate what our politicians do with what we pay in good faith. They should be faithful to us as well.

Sallie, I believe there should be no graft or corruption in government or anywhere in the world. Everyone should always be honest and forthright. But, since 87 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot -- where does the "22nd in graft" figure come from?

tim, moore, of course a government can't be run for free. I do not paying taxes for the services we get in return. I do mind paying excessive taxes and the theft or misspending of the funds. Do you think being 22nd in graft is a good indication of money well spent?

Wow, Sallie. You're a perfect example of how some people are never happy. Oklahoma, across the board, has among the lowest taxes (state and local combined) of any state in the nation. Property taxes are 46th lowest in the nation. Income taxes have been cut by more than $1 billion in the past two years...and you're still not happy. I guess you think government should be run for free, or at least not with any of your money.

Hardly surprising as Oklahomans are taxed on every bite of food they dare to buy. Our utilities are taxed. Homes are taxed 5% annually even though their property values are on the decrease. We are taxed from birth to death and then again after death. Surprising that we have tax money to spend? Not at all. Our State governments' greed is a prime example of theft of the citizens they are susposed to represent. How vile our politicians are. I will repeat again, in 2004 Oklahoma rated 22nd nationwide in graft and corruption.