House speaker denies access to security camera footage

Saying it would be an “embarrassment” to the state, Republican Oklahoma House Speaker Chris Benge said he would not release security camera footage that shows who is repeatedly removing a photo of President Barack Obama that hangs at the Capitol.

One lawmaker has already admitted to moving the portrait once because he disagrees with Democrat Obama’s policies.

“If there were a question of the misuse of taxpayer dollars or a crime had been committed, I would be first in line to release the tape,” Benge said in a statement.

“Even though this is childish and ridiculous, the fact of the matter is if the press asks for the tapes the press ought to be able to receive those tapes,” Rep. Scott Inman, D, told The Daily Oklahoman. “We’re not talking about classified information or top-secret details. We’re talking about tapes of the House chamber that were paid for with taxpayer dollars.”

The Legislature exempted itself years ago from the Open Records and Open Meetings Act, which requires governmental entities to release information to the public upon request.

Filed under: Oklahoma by Leif Wright