Seventeen Oklahoma Republicans in the state house signed a damning letter demanding the investigation and possible impeachment of Ryan Walters.
The Republicans, many of whom serve on House education committees, said they wrote the letter out of deep concern for Walters’ ongoing failings as state superintendent.
Walters’ “pattern of overreach, disregard for legislative oversight and policy-making, and lack of concern for student safety” were among their concerns.
Letter from Oklahoma Republicans requests investigation, possible impeachment of Ryan Walters
The letter’s signatories pointed to numerous distinct violations they say Walters has committed during his time in office.
Representative Mark McBride, who authored the letter, said Walters has refused to allow members of the Education Committee access to Executive Sessions of the State Board of Education, a violation of Oklahoma State Stature.
McBride and his fellow Republicans also accuse Walters of “refusal or significant delays” in answering the questions of state officials, and has failed to answer Open Records Request, as required by state law. Walters has also failed to provide transparency around his office’s use of state funds of travel, as well as failed to comply with budget directives.
Perhaps most egregiously, the letter accuses Walters of refusing to execute state funding to provide students with asthma inhalers.
Republican Concerns Escalate: Calls for Investigation into Walters’ Conduct Since May 30th Intensify
McBride says that the issues listed in the letter have all arisen since May 30th. Before that time, McBride and his fellow Oklahoma Republicans also expressed concerns about Walters overstepping his authority as State Superintendent. The letter cites a unanimous State Supreme Court ruling which stated Walters was “attempting to exercise unauthorized quasi-judicial authority.”
The 20 Oklahoma Republicans originally signing the letter to House Speaker Charles McCall are demanding a Special Investigative Committee of the State Department of Education. They ask that his committee make recommendations in the coming legislative session about whether or not Walters violated his oath of office and should face impeachment.
Speaker McCall responded to the letter, stating that he would not launch an investigation “unless and until 51 or more Oklahoma House Republicans sign the letter”.
According to FOX 25’s Payton May, who broke the story last night, three more Oklahoma Republicans have signed the letter since it was delivered to McCall, bringing the new total to twenty.
“Representative McBride is expecting more,” May tweeted.
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