Nigh Commission

The Commission on the Reform of Oklahoma State Government, also known as the Nigh Commission, was a committee that in 1984 recommended sweeping changes to the government of the State of Oklahoma to improve efficiency, economy and service. It is named after former Governor of Oklahoma George Nigh, who appointed the Commission.

Under the leadership of Chairman Walter Allison of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, the Commission issued its final report and recommendations to Governor Nigh on November 1, 1984.

Governor Nigh, on February 1, 1984, issued Executive Order 84-1, which established the Commission. The Commission was composed of one hundred members, all volunteers, representing twenty separate business and professional fields from all areas of the State. Governor Nigh pledged the full support of the executive branch to the Commission, with the Oklahoma Legislature later passing resolutions also supporting the work of the Commission.

The Commission began operations on February 9, 1984. The Commission was neither funded or supported by the State government: it generated its own funds, provided its own office space and administrative support. No active member of the executive, legislative, or judicial branches was allowed to serve on the Commission in order to ensure an honest inspection of the State government.

The Commission divided itself into nine Study Committees:

Each of the Study Committees was assigned responsibility for reviewing a list of State agencies with related functions.

The Study Committees meet numerous times between February and September, 1984. During there meetings, agency personnel, elected officials, representatives of various groups and organizations and other individuals met with the Study Committees. Each Committee submitted its own report to the full Commission, which then meet in October to review and accept or reject each recommendation.

The Commission submitted its final report to Governor Nigh on November 1, 1984, at such times it ceased operations.

The Commission recommended several hundred recommendations to improve the operations of State government. Several of these recommendations have since been implemented, but several others (as of 2010) have not.

The Governmental Structure Study Committee recommended a major reorganization of the agencies, board, commission and departments into a Cabinet-type government for the executive branch. The Cabinet should consist of the following agencies:

The Committee recommended that the Legislature reduce its administrative and staff organizations by establishing a single joint administrative office. The judicial branch, as recommended by the Committee, should be more efficiently handle its caseload with existing staff. Additionally, district court boundaries should be improve and provide for greater flexibility in assigning judges.

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