Are Oklahoma Lawmakers Law Breakers?

Right now there are seven measures on the November ballot. They're all pretty controversial, and some elected leaders have passed official resolutions supporting or opposing the measures. But is that legal?

Just this week, council members in Oklahoma City passed a resolution opposing State Question 777-the Right to Farm Act, even though the city's attorney warned them not to. 

“The majority legal view is that the expenditure of public funds cannot be used to advocate a particular result in an election,” Municipal Attorney Kenneth Jordan told council members.

To pass resolutions, city council's use taxpayer money for everything from paying legal counsel for advice to buying paper and paying for electricity. Attorney David Slane said it's illegal for municipal leaders to use tax money to fight against some taxpayers. 

"Thousands and thousands of Oklahomans went out and collected these signatures and got it put on the ballot.” Slane said, “And they want to have a vote. And the idea that city's and public officials would use public funds to fight those very taxpayers is appalling."

Slane said he'll hold off on suing municipalities, for now.  

Senator Anastasia Pittman (D) Assistant Democratic Leader said that’s, "To give the Attorney General an opportunity to clarify how we are to interpret our state statutes."

In a written statement, the Attorney General's office said it's looking into the matter. 

Senator Pittman said she doesn't want to sue.

"I don't want to be spearheading the plan to expend more taxpayers’ dollars when we can just have a conversation.” Pittman said, “We can settle these differences with the Attorney General’s opinion."

Slane added, "If they go forward and they do this again, make no mistake we will sue that city." 

Slane said he will also recommend criminal charges against any city leaders who vote for a resolution, and push for them to be kicked out of office. 

A spokeswoman for Oklahoma City said the city welcomes a decision from the Attorney General’s office or the State Supreme Court, but for now the resolution stands.