The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety could not immediately provide the costs to operate and maintain the aircraft and how it was used under the Fallin administration.

Stitt said he was shocked to learn that he could not find out how many agencies hired contract lobbyists or the costs. He has directed state agencies to provide that information going back to 2015.

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission has a public website that lists the lobbyists and who they work for.

Stitt said between 35 and 70 state agencies hire outside lobbyists.

“I have determined that it is not a proper use of state funds for any state agency, board or commission to expend taxpayers’ money on the hiring or outside lobbyists to lobby the state legislators on behalf of any state agency, board or commission,” his executive order said.

He made the distinction between outside lobbyists and agency legislative liaisons, which provide information to lawmakers and are useful.

But agencies should not be allowed to spend taxpayer dollars to hire a lobbyist to protect the agency’s interests, Stitt said.