OK State Treasurer Todd Russ says AG is bullying, crossing constitutional lanes
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – On Tuesday, two of Oklahoma's top leaders are facing off over constitutional boundaries and responsibilities in state government.
Oklahoma State Treasurer Todd Russ asserts that Attorney General Gentner Drummond is bullying and crossing constitutional lines within the government.
'From the beginning, my office followed the process set forth in the Constitution and enforced by the Legislature,' said Treasurer Russ. 'When a law involves both financial management and legal risk, collaboration is key. Unfortunately, what we've seen instead is a pattern of reassignment, often after the fact, which seems more about political posturing than truly serving the public.'
Treasurer Russ says it all centers on financial oversight, which is includes more than $40 billion in public pension assets and investment of over $17 billion in daily state cash flow. Noting, AG Drummond's behavior suggests efforts to centralize power that would violate his authority and by-pass the protocols of financial stewardship.
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Senate Bill 714 is an example, according to Treasurer Russ, of a proposal that sought to transfer certain financial functions of the EDEA from his office to the AG's office. The bill did not pass, but Russ believes the bill itself raised constitutional questions.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond responded quickly to Russ's comments.
'The Treasurer's misjudgment in unlawfully executing fund documents required my office to intervene and protect Oklahoma's oil and gas industry from discrimination by financial institutions kowtowing to a radical leftist agenda,' Drummond said. 'I take seriously my obligation to ensure compliance with Oklahoma laws relating to procurement processes and protecting Oklahoma's interests.'
Read Drummond's letter to Russ on Thursday here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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