OKLAHOMA CITY — After months of study and collaboration, a bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Rep. Judd Strom, R-Copan, advanced a package of government accountability bills aimed at protecting taxpayers and strengthening ethical standards in state and local government.
The lawmakers, focused on spending accountability, partnered with State Auditor Cindy Byrd in a taxpayer watchdog role to review state purchasing practices, contract oversight and public accountability laws. After the state auditor released a report finding $93.4 million in questionable spending last year, Strom said he knew action was needed to make sure taxpayer funds were properly tracked and spent as intended.
“When that report came out, I was upset,” Strom said. “As chair of the General Government Committee, I felt a responsibility to act. We met with the State Auditor to identify weaknesses in contracts and purchasing and focused on reforms that protect taxpayers, save money and close gaps that allow funds to be misused. Oklahomans should never have to question where their tax dollars are going.”
