This Hard Red State Spent Taxpayer Money On DEI
Oklahoma is one of America’s most politically conservative states, but its Office of Attorney General (OAG) got a 205% budget increase and spent some of it on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt is none too pleased.
In a letter late this month, Stitt said “the OAG has transformed from a traditional statewide law office into a much larger and bloated government agency.”
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Between 2023 and 2026, OAG legislative appropriations more than doubled, rising from $38.1 million to $90.5 million. The office’s overall budget grew even more sharply, rising from $43.2 million to $131.8 million. The OAG more than tripled its budget in three years.
The OAG employee headcount increased by approximately 61%, adding more than 100 employees, while salary spending more than doubled, Stitt wrote.
“What’s even more disturbing is that recent discovery shows some taxpayer-funded grants were awarded to DEl-related programming at the Diversity Center of Oklahoma, which were authorized by the Attorney General,” Stitt wrote.
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The OAG approved more than $20,000 of taxpayer money to the facility, which provides DEI training, LGBT programing and “gender affirming care” to adolescents.
The Diversity Center of Oklahoma closed its brick-and-mortar center late last year after losing federal money. That facility now provides virtual services.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond responded.
“Over the last three years, the State Legislature has repeatedly seen fit to expand the responsibilities and budget of my office. That’s not an accident,” Drummond said.
“They allocated additional authority over pharmacy benefit management enforcement and compliance and charged us with combating human trafficking.”
Drummond’s statement did not address the DEI funding.
According to the Oklahoma Attorney General’s website, Drummond was an assistant district attorney in Pawnee and Osage Counties and was an attorney in private practice. In 1999, he founded a Tulsa-based firm, Drummond Law.
Warhammer is a journalist with more than 20 years or professional experience. Follow Warhammer on Twitter @Real_Warhammer.
