Commission Says Agency Needs More Funds

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahoma Ethics Commission officials say they'll need substantial new funding to perform functions spelled out in some proposed legislation. <br/><br/>At a special Ethics Commission

Monday, March 26th 2007, 8:28 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahoma Ethics Commission officials say they'll need substantial new funding to perform functions spelled out in some proposed legislation.

At a special Ethics Commission meeting Monday, commissioners voted to adopt a resolution opposing proposed ethics legislation unless money is provided to allow the panel to carry out its constitutional duties.

A House-passed proposal by House Speaker Lance Cargill would, among other things, require monthly reporting of campaign contributions. Another measure would bring county officers and candidates for office in Oklahoma under ethics rules.

Commissioner John Raley of Ponca City says the measure carries an estimated $406,000 cost and will require the addition of six more employees to the existing staff of seven.

He said the agency's office in the basement of the Capitol is already cramped.

Cargill spokesman Damon Gardenhire says the ethics legislation is a work in progress so the final cost cannot be determined yet.