by Karl Kurtz
Oklahoma House Speaker Lance Cargill, at 36 the youngest speaker in the country, resigned from his leadership position today after reports last week that he had failed to file his income tax returns in 2006 and 2007. He will remain a member of the Oklahoma House.
Speaker Pro Tem Gus Blackwell will succeed Cargill on an interim basis until a new speaker is selected when the Oklahoma Legislature convenes next Monday, Feb. 4. From NewsOK.com:
The Oklahoman reported that Cargill failed to file his 2005 and 2006 personal income tax returns until getting a warning from the Oklahoma Tax Commission. He blamed an accountant and said he was upset with himself because he was due refunds.
The Oklahoman also reported that Cargill was delinquent six years in a row in paying the property tax on his Harrah law office. He was months overdue in paying most of the bills. "I take full responsibility for this error," he said Friday about his property tax bills. "I certainly apologize to the people of Oklahoma and to my colleagues, and will take steps to ensure these matters are handled in a timely and efficient manner in the future.”
For lots more on the resignation and speculation as to who the next speaker will be, see The McCarville Report Online.
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