Lawmaker objects to Calvey's dual role
An Oklahoma City lawmaker said he will work to amend state ethics rules after discovering a county commissioner is also a registered lobbyist. “It's not technically illegal, but I have a problem with it ethically,” said Rep. Jason Dunnington, D-Oklahoma City. Kevin Calvey, a former state representative, was elected District 3 Oklahoma County Commissioner last year. Calvey, a Republican, is also a registered lobbyist for the anti-abortion group Oklahomans For Life Inc., according to the state Ethics Commission. “There is an ethics rule that prohibits state officers or employees from registering as lobbyists, but the commission does not have jurisdiction over county officers,” said Ashley Kemp, executive director of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. “So there is not an ethics rule that would prevent a county commissioner from registering as a lobbyist.” Calvey did not return a phone message or text message seeking comment. The publication NonDoc reported that Calvey was at the Capitol on Wednesday and claimed he was advocating for both anti-abortion legislation and county interests. “I'm here today for Oklahomans for Life,” Calvey said while walking to the Capitol Wednesday morning from a parking lot, according to NonDoc. “And I'll probably put in a good word for county
roads and some criminal justice reform stuff we have an interest in at the county.” Dunnington said he saw Calvey at the state Capitol earlier this week and assumed he was advocating for county issues. “He told me he had another gig, and I was like, `Another gig?'” Dunnington said. Dunnington said he expects the Legislature to vote on ethics rules later this year and he plans to offer an amendment that would make county officials subject to the lobbying ban.