August 14, 2024
In a letter, a group of Oklahoma lawmakers led by Representative Mark McBride (R-District 53) is urging an investigation into State Superintendent Ryan Walters. The letter was originally signed by 16 state Republicans, including Representative Nick Archer (R-District 55) of Elk City.
McBride’s letter to House Speaker Charles McCall criticizes Walters for poor budget management, lack of transparency, and unprofessional conduct. The letter highlights several issues, including denial of access to executive sessions for lawmakers, delays in responding to inquiries, non-compliance with budget directives, and failures to fulfill open records requests.
McBride and the other lawmakers are requesting the formation of a Special Investigative Committee to thoroughly examine Walters’ and the State Board of Education’s actions. Since the issuance of the letter, a growing number of other lawmakers have added their names in support of the letter and its request.
Archer responded to comments made by State Superintendent Ryan Walters in a media interview Tuesday morning:
“Ryan Walters is gaslighting Oklahomans. Multiple elected officials have made reasonable requests regarding his use of taxpayer funds and have asked that he address critical education issues. Instead, he deflects accountability by referring to Republican legislators as ‘moderate’ individuals who are promoting ‘porn in schools.’
“The implication that the Oklahoma Legislature—widely considered one of the most conservative in the country—endorses a liberal agenda is frankly laughable. Let me be clear: neither porn nor Ryan Walters belong in Oklahoma schools.”
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