Oklahoma Supreme Court justices Monday seemed skeptical that state leaders should be able to remove Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust board members before their terms ends.

The state’s high court peppered an attorney representing state leaders with questions as justices heard oral arguments over the constitutionality of House Bill 2783 , which allows the appointing authorities of the board to remove members at will. Board members currently serve staggered seven-year terms.

Justices expressed concern that removing board members at will could strip the board of its independence from the Legislature. The voter-approved board oversees around $2 billion in public dollars.

“It could be tomorrow that the board could have to stop everything it’s doing because one of them gets fired ju

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