Oklahoma Ethics Commission adds member

http://newsok.com/article/3181130/1197689683

Sat December 15, 2007

Ethics Commission adds member

By Michael McNutt
Capitol Bureau

A former teacher and assistant executive director of the Oklahoma State School Board Association has been appointed to serve on the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, succeeding a longtime commissioner.

Jo Pettigrew of McLoud will take up her new duties Tuesday when the five-member commission is scheduled to meet.

Gov. Brad Henry, who made the five-year appointment, said Pettigrew — who also served nine years as executive director of the United Suburban Schools Association of Oklahoma — will make an excellent commissioner.

"Jo Pettigrew has dedicated her professional life to excellence in education,” Henry said. "She possesses the intellect, integrity and commitment to public service that will serve her well on the Ethics Commission.”

Pettigrew, a Democrat as is Henry, succeeds Ken Elliott, who served the maximum two terms and could not be re-appointed. The commission proposes rules dealing with campaigns and with the ethical conduct of state officers and employees.

Elliott was appointed to the commission in 1997 by then-Gov. Frank Keating for one month to fill an unexpired term. He then was re-appointed to two five-year terms.

"It has been an honor to serve,” said Elliott, an Oklahoma City attorney. "It was work that I enjoyed. I tried to take it very seriously.”

Elliott, whose term expired in July but continued to serve until Henry named his successor, said it's disappointing he won't be able to vote next month on proposals submitted earlier this year to the Ethics Commission. Proposals include limiting lobbyist expenditures for meals, lowering the reporting threshold for gifts and closing a loophole that allows donors to circumvent contribution limits through political action committees.

Elliott said he doesn't plan to appear before the commission to comment on the proposals.

"I don't think that would be proper for me to do that,” he said.