THIS year, lawmakers approved large tax increases and bragged that they increased government spending across the board. Thus, it's notable that one exception appears to be the agency tasked with monitoring lawmakers' fundraising and ethics practices.

According to the fiscal summary documents distributed by the Legislature for Senate Bill 1600, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission saw its budget increase this year by $11,296, or 1.62 percent. But Ethics Commission officials note the total — $710,351 — comes from a fund made up of fees the agency levies on lobbyists, candidates, political parties and political action committees, not an appropriation from the state's general revenue fund.

Typically, the Ethics Commission uses money from that revolving fund for enforcement actions and to provide education that helps candidates comply with state law. The agency's operational funding comes from an appropriation from the state's general fund.

“The language of SB 1600 makes it appear as though the Ethics Commission is receiving an increase in funding. In actuality, the agency is receiving a funding cut that exceeds the Commission's entire FY 18 appropriation,” the commission's executive director, Ashley Kemp, writes. “SB 1600 appropriates $0 to the Commission from the general revenue fund. Zero.”