OKLAHOMA CITY – Some lawmakers are calling on the governor to remove the Oklahoma Secretary of Finance, Administration, and Information Technology due to the ongoing budget crisis.
On Monday, Rep. Mike Brown filed a legislative resolution of “no confidence” in Preston Doerflinger’s “ability to carry out his official duties.”
“We’re facing a $1.3 billion state budget hole next year and we’re on the verge of the third revenue failure this year under his leadership,” Brown said. “The Fallin administration can blame the energy industry all they want, but the buck stops with Preston Doerflinger.”
House Resolution 1046 calls on Gov. Fallin to suspend Doerflinger “immediately, without pay and benefits.” It also calls for Fallin to begin soliciting applications for a replacement.
Brown says state statutes give Gov. Fallin the power to remove any appointed officer “due to incompetency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.”
Brown claims that Doerflinger’s arrest in 2015 and so-called ‘conflicts of interest’ should qualify Doerflinger under those statutes.
