Bill to end political favoritism to be heard in House

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The Oklahoma House plans to consider a bill designed to end nepotism in state government.

Minority Leader Fred Morgan of Oklahoma City says the bill he's authored will prevent problems like the recent Health Department scandal.

Morgan says state officers shouldn't use their power to pad the pockets of relatives. He says state officials have an obligation to conduct the people's business with integrity.

The House will hear the measure on Monday.

Morgan's bill would prohibit state officers from employing or promoting a family member to a government office. A violation would be a misdemeanor subject to a one-thousand dollar fine.