By Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY — Attorney General Drew Edmondson's office says Oklahoma is not violating the state Constitution by spending federal economic stimulus money without legislative authority.
In an opinion made public Thursday, Edmondson's office says direct allocation of the federal money to state agencies does not violate constitutional requirements that the Legislature appropriate money and that the Board of Equalization certify money as available for appropriation.
Edmondson's office also says spending the federal money does not violate the U.S. Constitution.
Oklahoma received $2.6 billion in federal economic stimulus money to pay for a variety of transportation, health care, education and other services.
State Rep. Mike Reynolds of Oklahoma City asked for an attorney general's opinion on whether accepting and spending the money was unconstitutional.
Posted on
Fri, June 26, 2009
by Crystal Drwenski