Over 20 House Republicans call for investigation into Superintendent Walters

OKLAHOMA CITY ( KFOR ) – Oklahoma lawmakers have called for an investigation into possible wrongdoing by State Superintendent Ryan Walters.

Representative Mark McBride, R-Moore drafted the letter and handed it over to Speaker Charles McCall on Tuesday morning, asking him to form an investigative committee to look into allegations against Walters. It stated since Walters took office 18 months ago, there have been increasing concerns about the “budget performance, spending priorities, and transparency surrounding the department.”

As of 6 p.m. on Tuesday, 22 House Representatives have signed the letter , with many of them on education committees.

Representative Ty Burns, R-Pawnee, was one of them.

“Enough is enough,” said Burns. “Give us the information we really want to see what evidence has been shown so we can make an educated decision on whether we move forward on anything.”

Josh West, R-Grove, was another representative to sign the letter.

“No one is above the law,” said West. “If the proof is there and it’s solid then let’s go.”

The three-page letter stated six reasons for McCall to request the investigation:

1. He/they have denied entry to Executive Sessions of the Board of Education to members of my committee, as well as members from my companion Committee in the State Senate. This denial is in direct violation of Section 310 of Title 25.
2. Refusal or significant delays in answering inquiries from this Committee and from Senator Pugh, who chairs the companion Committee in the State Senate. You are well aware of the long-standing issues of responsiveness by Superintendent Walters and the Department – this unresponsiveness required the issuance of two legislative subpoenas under your signature.
3. Failure to comply with legislative budgetary directives as set forth in policy and in General Appropriations Bill regarding the administration of School Security Dollars.
4. Failure to turn over complete information surrounding the expenditure of state funds for travel. Members of the press have received more complete information from the Office of Management and Enterprise Services than members of the House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Education.
5. Failed to fill in a timely manner numerous requests for records as required by the Open Records Act, which resulted in the Attorney General threatening civil and criminal action for such failure.
6. Defied the Legislature’s appropriations authority by refusing to execute required funding for critical asthma inhalers. Such defiance has resulted in the Superintendent blaming legislative leaders, including Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Senator Chuck Hall.

Speaker McCall released a statement to News 4 Tuesday that was sent to the Caucus:

“I have seen the letter signed by 17 republicans which is being circulated to request an investigation into the State Superintendent. Please know that I am not aware of nor have I received any communication from the Senate requesting that we take it up or agreeing to go along with any such action.

Additionally, many of the areas requested to be investigated as articulated by the letter are best addressed in the Committee hearings which are conducted by the Legislature presession when we ask the agency to account for the dollars appropriated and the agency’s plan going forward.

Regarding the possible criminal violation, the Legislature does not conduct criminal investigations. Criminal investigations are under the exclusive purview of the Executive Branch, more specifically the Attorney General.  If there has been a violation of the Open Meetings Act then the Attorney General is charged to investigate. From the documentation attached to the request, it appears that the Attorney General is aware of the potential violation. Investigations by the Legislature are limited to the use of appropriated dollars and internal discipline, unless the AG finds a criminal violation did occur, and the State Superintendent is charged and convicted with a crime. In that case, the House would likely have something to consider.

I take elections very seriously, and anyone who was duly elected by the people of this state should not be removed from that office, given to them by the people, unless absolutely required by the constitution. Unless and until 51 or more Republicans sign the letter and request the investigative committee be formed, I will not consider the request.”

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