John Laws (Oklahoma cabinet secretary)

John Laws
Oklahoma Secretary of Budget
Incumbent
Assumed office
October 13, 2022
GovernorKevin Stitt
Preceded byMike Mazzei
Personal details
EducationUniversity of Oklahoma
University of Texas

John Laws is an American businessman who has served as the Oklahoma Secretary of Budget under Governor Kevin Stitt since 2022.

Education and career

John Laws graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1998 and the University of Texas.[1][2] He worked in management positions for various energy corporations for 20 years including Enable Midstream and OGE Energy Company.[1][3]

Oklahoma Secretary of Budget

Laws was appointed Oklahoma Secretary of Budget by Governor Kevin Stitt on October 13, 2022.[1] He replaced Mike Mazzei who resigned in 2020.[4] He maintained a financial interest in Enable Midstream while secretary.[5] In September 2023, he drew media attention for sending emails to directors of state agencies reminding them Stitt encouraged to agencies to not file incremental budget requests in 2025.[6] After Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond released an AG opinion on dual office holding that caused Tim Gatz resignation, Laws maintained his positions as both Oklahoma's Chief Financial Officer and the Secretary of Budget.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Governor Stitt Appoints John Laws as Secretary of Budget, State CFO". Governor of Oklahoma. October 13, 2022. Archived from the original on 2 November 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Price College Alumni News". www.ou.edu. University of Oklahoma. Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  3. ^ Monies, Paul (25 October 2022). "Our State Under Stitt: Government at the Speed of Business". Oklahoma Watch. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024. Stitt appointed another oil and gas executive, John Laws, to be secretary of budget and the state's chief financial officer. Laws previously held executive-suite positions at Enable Midstream LP.
  4. ^ Foster, Miranda Vondale (13 October 2022). "Gov. Stitt issues executive order, appoints John Laws as Secretary of Budget and State CFO". KOKH-TV. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  5. ^ Felder, Ben (December 2, 2022). "Governor's appointees file first financial disclosure forms". The Oklahoman. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  6. ^ Monies, Paul (2 January 2024). "Turnover, Scandals Have Some Rethinking Governor's Power Boost". Oklahoma Watch. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  7. ^ Hoberock, Barbara (1 March 2024). "Impact of Oklahoma AG's opinion on other Stitt cabinet posts unclear". Public Radio Tulsa. Oklahoma Voice. Archived from the original on 29 March 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  1. ^ As Chief Transportation Advisor