OKLAHOMA CITY KFOR — A Republican lawmaker in Oklahoma is seeking guidance from the Attorney General and a thorough investigation into the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) following revelations that State Superintendent Ryan Walters plans to redirect millions from the department’s payroll budget to purchase thousands of Bibles in a version endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
Oklahoma State Representative Mark McBride R-Moore has formally asked Attorney General Gentner Drummond to provide an opinion on the legality of Walters’ actions, which were first reported by Oklahoma Watch. McBride’s request specifically addresses whether Walters can reallocate funds appropriated by the legislature for OSDE’s payroll expenses to buy Bibles.
In a letter to Drummond obtained by News 4, McBride outlined his concerns:
Attorney General Drummond,
I am writing to request an Attorney General’s Opinion regarding the recent actions of the Oklahoma State Department of Education OSDE. Specifically:
1. Can OSDE transfer appropriated funds between line item categories in Section 2 of SB 1122 without legislative approval?
2. Does Title 62, Section 34.52 apply to OSDE for such fund transfers?
3. Is Executive Order 2023-12 applicable, requiring OSDE to obtain Secretary of Education approval for any expenditure over $25,000?
4. Does Section 23 of SB1122 grant the Attorney General authority to enforce any provisions of the Limits Bill?
I have no objection to having Bibles in classrooms and libraries. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to your response.”
McBride has expressed strong concerns about Walters’ fitness for office. I’ve traveled to many countries with dictators, and it’s just… it’s just tyranny, he stated, noting his unease about Walters’ perceived overreach. It’s almost scary that he thinks he has such power.
As chair of the Oklahoma House Education Appropriations Committee, which oversees OSDE’s budget, McBride was surprised by Walters’ claim during a recent Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting that there is $3 million allocated for Bibles in the current-year budget.
This $3 million for Bibles was never included in our budget, McBride asserted.
He was further taken aback by a report indicating that Walters intends to take the $3 million from the payroll budget, particularly given that over 130 OSDE employees have resigned or retired since Walters assumed office. We needed that staff to operate efficiently, McBride said, emphasizing the importance of having adequate personnel to address ongoing issues within the department.
McBride pointed out that a law passed last year explicitly prohibits OSDE from using funds appropriated for one purpose for another. We wanted to avoid a shell game, and that’s what it looks like is happening here, he remarked.
This prompted McBride to send his letter to Attorney General Drummond, seeking a formal opinion on Walters’ actions. I hope the opinion will clarify whether or not this is permissible, he said.
The situation escalated when OSDE published a bid solicitation for 55,000 King James Bibles intended for placement in Oklahoma public school classrooms. The solicitation requires that the Bibles include copies of the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, U.S. Constitution, and Pledge of Allegiance. The requested Bibles closely resemble the ‘God Bless the U.S.A. Bible’ endorsed by Trump.
McBride criticized the targeted nature of the solicitation. To craft an RFP for a specific item raises questions, he noted. While he supports the presence of Bibles in schools, he finds the inclusion of additional documents troubling. The Bible is the inspired word of God. There should be nothing else added to it, he expressed.
In light of these developments, McBride is again calling for a comprehensive investigation into OSDE. He believes the legislative inquiry should extend beyond the current limited investigation into the department’s finances by the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency LOFT. There needs to be a complete investigation into the Department of Education, including their spending and conduct, he stated. I find it very troubling… I don’t know anyone who supports this behavior, even in Walters’ own community.