Pruitt Grows Statewide Operation Amid Tight Budgets
Oklahoma AG grows operation amid tight state budgets
by Rick Green
The Oklahoma attorney general’s office has grown in a time of state cutbacks, moving into expanded and higher-priced office space, adding dozens of new employees and boosting expenditures.
Attorney General Scott Pruitt, a small-government advocate, staffed a new operation in his office to fight federal overreach. He has filed lawsuits against the federal government over environmental protection, immigration and the Affordable Care Act, among other things.
Obvious questions are raised when an agency grows while others are shrinking, State Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones said.
“The questions are, ‘Is there a need for that?’ and ‘Is that the best way the dollars should be spent?'” he said. “Agencies have been taking huge cuts. There are services that need to be delivered that aren’t being delivered.