State House Speaker Pushes Agency Consolidation

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- State House Speaker Lance Cargill has a plan to consolidate a dozen Oklahoma state agencies to reduce costs. He announced Wednesday that he wants to get this accomplished before

Thursday, April 19th 2007, 7:14 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- State House Speaker Lance Cargill has a plan to consolidate a dozen Oklahoma state agencies to reduce costs. He announced Wednesday that he wants to get this accomplished before the Legislative session ends on May 25.

One proposal would merge the Department of Mines, which issues environmental and safety permits for mining operations, into the Department of Labor, which oversees workplace safety issues and performs other functions.

He also wants to fold the Scenic Rivers Commission, which protects the Illinois River and its tributaries in northeastern Oklahoma, into the Department of Tourism and Recreation, which promotes tourism in the state.