House Speaker Charles McCall is empaneling a special committee to investigate how the Oklahoma Department of Health is using taxpayer dollars. He says the committee will focus its investigation into the finances, state appropriations and other financial resources of the Department of Health and how they were managed. He says the scope of the committee's investigation could expand to other agencies.
"The allegations at the Department of Health are very concerning, and I share the public's frustration with the mismanagement of at least $30 million in taxpayer funds," McCall said. "The Legislature has the authority to conduct an investigation, and our members want that to begin as soon as possible. This is a very serious matter, and I would encourage those associated with these allegations to cooperate fully with our investigation."
Republican State Representative Josh Cockroft of Wanette will chair the committee.