(Oklahoma City, OK) Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday announced a legislative advisory group to work with him to distribute about $1.2 billion in emergency funds provided to Oklahoma under the federal CARES Act. The action comes after legislative leaders were critical of Stitt for not including them in the discussions about how the federal dollars from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act will be used.Stitt’s office said his administration has been working for several weeks on an advisory group framework and a tracking and reporting system for CARES Act reimbursements.
Stitt’s administration is also working on a portal for local governments to submit expenses for reimbursement under the CARES Act.
“Under the direction of President Trump, our priority is to ensure these dollars intended for COVID-19 response are deployed swiftly and on target,” Stitt said. “As communities and their citizens struggle across Oklahoma, it is imperative we as leaders work together.”
Legislators on the advisory committee include: House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka; Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa; Rep. Chelsey Branham, D-Oklahoma City; Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid; Rep. Jason Dunnington, D-Oklahoma City; House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City; Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola; Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow; Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan; Rep. Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City; Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City; Rep. Harold Wright, R-Weatherford; Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow; Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville; Senate Majority Floor Leader Kim David, R-Porter; Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow; Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada; Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton; Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa; Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City; Sen. Marty Quinn, R-Claremore; and Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City.
Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat said the Legislature has a responsibility to oversee how taxpayer dollars are spent.
