Rep. Bobby Cleveland suspects that state agencies are finding ways around the Open Records and Open Meetings Acts, so he intends to investigate. He cites the Tourism and Recreation Department’s recent firing of an internal auditor as an example.
During a recent meeting for the House Special Investigative Committee, Cleveland asked Tourism Executive Director Dick Dutton who gave him permission to terminate the auditor. Dutton told the committee Tourism and Recreation commissioners gave Dutton permission during a board meeting’s executive session in April 2017. Minutes from the meeting, however, show “no action” was taken during executive session.
“The public has a right to know what’s going on in our state agencies,” said Cleveland. “Tourism & Recreation can’t be the only agency violating the spirit of the laws that are designed to keep Oklahomans informed.”
Cleveland claims he has received complaints that meeting notices are vague, delayed and misleading. He also believes the practice isn’t just happening in the Tourism Department.
“These boards, commissioners and executive directors are skirting the Open Records & Open Meetings Acts. We’ve seen gross mismanagement in multiple state agencies in recent months, and this latest revelation is yet another example of why so many Oklahomans don’t trust their government,” Cleveland said.
Perhaps this is why the Health Dept. can have a $30M shortage. by keeping things hidden we never know till the time comes to write the checks .
Been going on for more than a few months… LOOK AT GRDA!!!!!