OKLAHOMA CITY – Although the Legislature adjourned before all Gov. Kevin Stitt’s goals were met, the governor continues to seek avenues to be prudent with Oklahoma’s tax dollars. On Friday, he issued an executive order promoting fiscal responsibility and safeguarding the use of taxpayer dollars by state agencies.
“We all have to remember the money we spend doesn't belong to us. It belongs to Oklahoma taxpayers,' Stitt said in a press release. 'Oklahomans expect my administration to steward each tax dollar well, and that's exactly what we're going to do. It makes no sense for state agencies who pay the salaries of communications staff to outsource work to PR (public relations) firms via sole source contracts. It's wasteful and we're putting a stop to it statewide.”
Executive Order 2024-12 prohibits state agencies from entering into sole source contracts with public relations, marketing, or communications firms and vendors and mandates, unless there is a statutory directive to the contrary. In addition, all contracts with public relations vendors must be procured through a minimum 30-day request for proposal. Current sole source agreements cannot be renewed under the order and will be terminated at the end of the contract’s term. Further restrictions will be implemented on future contracts.
The most recent order from the governor’s office confirms the Stitt administration’s commitment to conservative governance and safeguarding tax dollars for the public. Other initiatives outlined include an effort to eliminate political influence. Public relation firms and vendors with active campaign-related or state question initiative contracts are banned from contracting with state agencies.
Lobbying is also in the governor’s crosshairs. State agencies are prohibited from entering into contracts with public relation vendors who employ registered lobbyists. Contracts must be immediately terminated if a vendor is caught participating in unregistered lobbying.
The executive order is immediately active and will be distributed to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, the directors of state agencies and the governor’s advisors to achieve full implementation of the new policy.