State Government

State treasurer fires employee under investigation

Written by Dick Pryor Monday, 20 June 2011 19:55

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State Treasurer Ken Miller has fired his office's internal auditor. Miller spokesman Tim Allen says LaTisha Reid was dismissed on Friday. She had been with the treasurer's office for about six years. Allen says he doesn't know why Reid was told she was being dismissed. Earlier this week, Miller placed an unidentified employee on administrative leave and requested a criminal investigation of the worker following allegations of wrongdoing. But Allen wouldn't confirm whether Reid is the subject of the investigation.

Miller has asked the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the Attorney General's Office to look into the allegations. He has also launched an internal investigation. Miller says his office is assessing its accounting systems and procedures for tracking funds to ensure that public funds remain secure.

Okla treasurer: State economy continues to improve

Written by Dick Pryor Thursday, 02 June 2011 23:04

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State Treasurer Ken Miller says Oklahoma's gross revenue collections for every major tax category in May have increased over the same time last year, a sign that the state's economy continues to pull out of a recession. An economist who was elected to office last year, Miller presented revenue figures on Thursday that show collections for the past 12 months topped $10 billion for the first time in almost two years. Those numbers include collections beyond those to the state's general revenue fund, which is used to fund state government. He says Oklahoma's unemployment rate also is improving, dropping from 6.1 percent in March to 5.6 percent in April, which shows the private sector continues to add "much-needed jobs as we try to get back to full employment."

 

Oklahoma AG files suit against EPA over haze plan

Written by Dick Pryor Tuesday, 31 May 2011 21:04

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt has filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, challenging the agency's denial of a state plan to reduce regional haze in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in southwest Oklahoma. Pruitt said the lawsuit was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Oklahoma City.

The lawsuit contends the EPA violated its own rules when it rejected the state plan and moved forward with its own federal plan to reduce haze. He says the federal plan could result in an increase in electric utility rates of up to 20 percent over the next three years because it would require coal-fired plants to add new equipment to their facilities. A Washington, D.C.-based spokeswoman for the EPA did not immediately return a telephone message.

Oklahoma to get more than $47 million in HUD funds

Written by Dick Pryor Tuesday, 31 May 2011 21:03

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma will be receiving more than $47.9 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD officials say about $27.3 million in funds will go to the Community Development Block Grant program; about $18.1 million will go to the HOME Investment Partnerships program; $1.3 million in funding is for the Emergency Shelter Grant program and more than $1.1 million is for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program.

The HOME program is aimed at producing affordable housing for low-income families and the Emergency Shelter grant helps homeless people with basic shelter and essential support services. The Oklahoma State CDBG program will receive more than $14.5 million, with Oklahoma City getting more than $4.77 million. Tulsa
is to receive $3.32 million and Tulsa County is receiving $1.17 million.