OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Representative Kevin Wallace (R-Wellston) announced on Thursday that the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency will be investigating spending concerns at the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
Wallace, who also serves as LOFT chair, says the investigation “isn’t about Superintendent Walters; this is about the transparency of a State Agency and getting answers for our constituents.”
“Lack of accountability and transparency” following LOFT meeting with OSDE
Wallace doesn’t list specific concerns, only saying the investigation will focus on alleged “funding disbursement issues.”
Full statements from Wallace and Oklahoma Speaker of the House Charles McCall (R-Atoka) can be read below.
In my capacity as Chairman, I intend to have LOFT investigate funding disbursement concerns raised by both citizens and legislators in regard to funds earmarked to OSDE for specific purposes. This isn’t about Superintendent Walters; this is about the transparency of a State Agency and getting answers for our constituents. When the Legislature approves funding for a specific purpose, it is incumbent on the agency to which those funds are allocated to spend them properly and in a timely manner. If there are issues with disbursements being made, that information should be communicated to the Legislature well before schools are incumbered. I look forward to using the processes and procedures available within LOFT to address the concerns that have been raised with OSDE funding, and will conduct a thorough, transparent investigation to provide answers to my fellow legislators and the citizens of Oklahoma.
Representative Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston