2 Corporation Commissioners Want to Return Pay

Staff and Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Two Oklahoma Corporation Commission members said they want to return part of their pay.

Commissioners Dana Murphy and Bob Anthony said they told Gov. Brad Henry on Tuesday that their intent is to match wage losses experienced by commission employees, who have taken four unpaid furlough days this year and must take must take four more by June 30.

Under state law, commissioners cannot reduce their pay or make gifts to the agency without going through the governor. Murphy and Anthony want Henry to accept their checks and direct the funds back to the commission.

The donation would directly benefit the Corporation Commission, so the governor must first sign off on.

Commission spokesman Matt Skinner said Anthony's check for the four furlough days taken so far is $1,250 while Murphy's check is for $1,092.30.

Henry's spokesman, Paul Sund, said the governor is reviewing the request to see what is possible.