Republican lawmakers ask for more transparency at OSDE

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A new legislative push was approved by committee on Thursday that would bring more transparency to the State Department of Education.

"So this out there, you don't have to request to see it," said the bill's author Rep. Rob Hall (R-Tuttle).

His bill, HB 1621, passed overwhelmingly. It's known as the State Department of Education Spending Transparency Act.

The bill's writing stated that it would require purchases made by OSDE to be put onto a website run by OMES for Oklahomans to have access to.

There is a website already run by the state government that's similar, but it doesn't list specific purchases.

For example, in November, OSDE announced the purchase of Bibles for Oklahoma classrooms. News 4 reached out to find out where they were bought, who they were bought from, and how much was spent.

Weeks later, an Open Records Request revealed it was 532 God Bless the USA Bibles that were bought. The total cost of the Bibles was nearly $25,000.

The current state transparency site doesn't have specific information surrounding OSDE purchases.

This week, Superintendent Ryan Walters announced a partnership with Lee Greenwood, who created the God Bless the USA Bible. In an online post, Supt. Walters stated that they are looking for donations to put Bibles in every Oklahoma classroom.

"The Bible is the most influential document in our nation’s history. Lee Greenwood and I are partnering to make sure our kids learn our Nation’s history and heritage," posted Supt. Walters.

"So in this kind of scenario had this existed today our press for example here would be able to go and say hmmm, interesting we already paid for these and now were getting them for free," asked Rep. Forest Bennett during the hearing.

Hall said that he is hoping OSDE can be the first agency and, if it goes well, that they can apply this to other agencies.

Hall was also asked who would supervise OSDE having to post the purchases online for the public, but he didn't have an answer for that.

The bill passed and now heads to the House floor.

OSDE did not have a comment.