Executive Order Says No to Taxpayer Money Spent On Outside Lobbying

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STATE NEWS

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma state agencies would be prevented from hiring lobbyists or extending their contracts under an executive order issued by Republican Governor Kevin Stitt Friday.

Stitt’s order is the latest in a series of executive orders designed to reduce – if not, eliminate – the use of lobbyists by state agencies.

Shortly after taking office, the governor said he told his staff to examine the frequency that state agencies, board and commissions hire outside lobbyists “to lobby the state’s legislators on their behalf and the costs incurred as a result of such lobbying.”

Stitt said his office had been able to identify numerous agencies, boards and commissions that use outside lobbyist.

“(But) the data related to the costs incurred with respect to such lobbying is virtually impossible to identify,” the governor said.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 2019-2

Because of the extensive use of lobbyists, Stitt issued Executive Order 2019-2 in January, which required all state agencies to identify the name or any legislative lobbyist, executive lobbyist or lobbyist principal and the amount of funds spent by the agency to retain the service of the lobbyist.

The governor also ordered agencies to provide his office with a “description of the process the agency used to award any and all contracts” and a copy of the lobbying contracts between the agency and the lobbyist.

“I have determined that it is not a proper use of state funds for any state agency, board or commission to expend taxpayers’ money on the hiring of outside lobbyists to lobby the state’s legislators on behalf of any state agency, board or commission,” the governor said.

IGNORING VOTER’S WISHES

Stitt said the use of contract lobbyists bypasses transparency laws and gives agencies a way to ignore the wishes of the voting public.

SECOND EXECUTIVE ORDER

On Friday, Stitt went further, issuing a second executive order that prohibits all state agencies from entering into any new or renewing and existing contract or any other agreement with a lobbyist for the purpose of lobbying with the approval of the appropriate cabinet secretary.

In addition to the orders regarding the use of lobbyists, Stitt issued another executive order on April 16 that both limited non-essential out-of-state travel and required advance notification and approval for any agency, state and public employee or officer membership in any private or public organization if membership costs of that organization collectively total more than $500.

Many state agencies and agency officials hold memberships in professional organizations that use lobbyists at the state Capitol. Stitt’s April order could limit agency participation in such organizations, further limiting lobbyists access to agency officials.

Stitt said the use of agency-hired lobbyist costs the state more than $1 million annually.

Published reports put the figure about half a million dollars higher – for the 2019 fiscal year – at $1.48 million, a decrease of $1.52 million spent on lobbyists in FY 2018.

Records show more than 30 state agencies hired lobbyist for the 2018 fiscal year.