Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
For Immediate Release: February 18, 2009
Senator Kenneth Corn
Sen. Corn Joins in Bipartisan Move to Ban State Agencies
from Hiring Capitol Lobbyists
State Sen. Kenneth
Corn, D-Poteau, won approval for a proposal to ban state agencies
from hiring lobbyists. Corn’s proposal was an amendment
to Senate Bill 454 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, R-Newcastle, to prohibit
the use of state funds for lobbying. The measure, as amended,
was approved by the full Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday.
“I want to commend Senator Sykes for filing his bill, and
for allowing my amendment to be included. Public funds are supposed
to be used by state agencies to provide specific services and
programs—not to hire lobbyists,” Corn said.
Corn said his amendment actually strengthened Sykes original legislation.
“State agencies do receive funds beyond those appropriated
by the State Legislature. Many collect fees and receive federal
funds as well. Again, those are all monies generated by the public,
and state agencies shouldn’t be using those other funds
for hiring lobbyists.”
The measure would not prohibit agencies from hiring and utilizing
legislative liaisons, which Corn said are defined differently
in statues than lobbyists.
“Agency liaisons provide a number of valuable services on
behalf of the state agencies year-round, in terms of information
and constituent issues that require attention not only during
the session but in the interim as well.”
SB 454 now moves to the full Senate for further consideration.
For more information contact:
Sen. Corn's Office: 405-521-5576
