The Oklahoma House voted 57-36 to disband the Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission.

The commission has an executive director and two employees. Their jobs will end and $192,000 in state funding will be transferred to the governor's office, where a new liaison to tribes will be appointed by July 1.

Some lawmakers complained that the bill was rushed through the session. “We're talking about sovereign governments here,” Rep. Paul Wesselhoft (R) said on the House floor, The Oklahoman reported. “We're always showing them disrespect.”

The bill will go to the Senate for a vote.

Get the Story:
House votes to disband Indian commission (The Oklahoman 5/19)

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