The Oklahoma Ethics Commission voted 5-0 Friday to sue over next year's budget.

The decision was expected because officials at the watchdog agency have been unusually outspoken in their criticism of state legislators.

The Ethics Commission had requested $3,354,000 from the general revenue fund to carry out its existing duties in fiscal year 2019.

The Legislature rejected that request, voting instead to give the watchdog agency nothing from the general revenue fund. Lawmakers are forcing the agency to take $710,351 from a revolving fund next fiscal year to operate.