By Associated Press
Oklahoma City, OK – Agency merger plan faces obstacles
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Gov. Brad Henry is proposing that some state agencies merge to save money, but past efforts to do so haven't been successful.
Lawmakers as well as agency heads and the people they regulate have objected to the consolidation plans amid concern they might create conflicts of interest.
Henry's executive budget proposes merging 16 state agencies with others to make state government more efficient and cuts costs.
One plan would combine the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. But Trent Baggett of the Oklahoma District Attorney's Council says state prosecutors objected to the same proposal a few years ago.
Henry also wants to merge the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission with the Department of Public Safety. A similar proposal died two years ago.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.