OKLAHOMA CITY - A new executive order is earmarked to create stronger oversight and accountability for state agencies seeking federal funds and grant resources.
“For the first time in state history, our executive budget this year outlined total dollars spent by state agencies, to include roughly 30% of funding that comes from the federal government,” Gov. Stitt said. The state operates a $19 billion budget. Executive Order 2019- 40 requires state agencies, boards or commissions to first submit any grant application over $50,000 for review to the office of the Governor and for approval by the Secretary of Budget before the agency’s final submission to the funding source.
All state agencies, boards, and commissions, other than higher education member institutions and local school district boards, must obtain written approval of the appropriate Cabinet Secretary prior to beginning the grant application process, he said. If a grant application is approved, the Cabinet Secretary will communicate the details of the grant application to the Secretary of Budget.
“In this administration, we are focused on delivering transparency, accountability and oversight of Oklahomans’ tax dollars, whether it’s generated through the feds, fees, or fines,” Stitt said. This executive order will avoid the pursuit of short-term money that often leaves taxpayers holding the bag when the funding dries up, while also making certain that the grants we do apply for match the vision and values of Oklahoma, he said.
The executive order does not apply to “emergency” grant funds from the Federal government where the time from application to distribution of funds is typically less than 10 days, as is often the case with grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and any “formula” grants from the Federal government that an agency, board, or commission has applied for in the past and received.