Published: June 25, 2009 10:38 pm      

6-26 OKC watch

AG: Stimulus spending not unconstitutional

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Attorney General Drew Edmondson’s office said Oklahoma is not violating the state Constitution by spending federal economic stimulus money without legislative authority.

In an opinion made public Thursday, Edmondson’s office said direct allocation of the federal money to state agencies does not violate constitutional requirements that the Legislature appropriate money and that the Board of Equalization certify money as available for appropriation.

Edmondson’s office also said spending the federal money does not violate the U.S. Constitution.

Oklahoma received $2.6 billion in federal economic stimulus money to pay for a variety of transportation, health care, education and other services.

State Rep. Mike Reynolds of Oklahoma City asked for an attorney general’s opinion on whether accepting and spending the money was unconstitutional.



Man sentenced for counterfeiting

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma City man has been sentenced to more than five years in prison for counterfeiting $100 bills.

U.S. Attorney John Richter said 41-year-old Gerald Lynn McIntire was sentenced to 63 months for counterfeiting and being a felon in possession of ammunition.

McIntire was arrested in November by Oklahoma City police who said he tried to eat some of the counterfeit bills.

Police say a search of his home turned up counterfeiting equipment including computers and printers in addition to ammunition. McIntire has 10 previous felony convictions and is prohibited from owning guns or ammunition.