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I covered Oklahoma County government in the early 2000s. It was filled with nepotism, cronyism, ghost jobs, drama, waste and pure stupidity (the late Jack Cornett hired a buddy as "budget director" who I found watching tv in his office while the budget was being discussed).
We did a series of stories showing how unaccountable county government was (and still is) due to how its governance model is set up in state law. This wasn't limited to the commissioners - waste, questionable conduct found in sheriff's office, clerk, etc.
It all built up to a point when the @okcchamber, local civic leaders, even one of the county commissioners voiced support for lawmakers to allow "home rule" reform. So what is "home rule"? https://oklahoman.com/article/1950110/government-merger-evokes-controversy?
Bills were filed.... https://oklahoman.com/article/2884391/commissioners-may-be-legislative-target-br-several-bills-have-been-filed-to-change-how-county-business-would-be-done?
The county lobby arrived to oppose the reforms. They wore buttons saying "county government works." And then the matter was buried with a "task force." https://oklahoman.com/article/2885336
And who did that? Well, it was then house speaker Todd Hiett, who swore he wasn't trying to delay it from consideration.
"It's not something I had to do," Hiett said. "It's an effort to put this issue on the front burner." And on that day, the reform effort died.
"It's not something I had to do," Hiett said. "It's an effort to put this issue on the front burner." And on that day, the reform effort died.
Keep in mind county government is a popular post-legislative career for termed-out lawmakers like Kevin Calvey who can go to a job with a six-figure salary, generous benefits and no term limits. So why would lawmakers want to reform county govt?
