Budget committee members named
Leaders in the House and Senate have named members of the General Conference Committee on Appropriations. The group will help draft the budget for the next fiscal year. Speaker of the House Rep. Chris Benge, R-Tulsa named 15 Republicans and seven Democrats to the committee. Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City named 13 Republicans and 10 Democrats to the committee.
Coffee said budget plans could be presented to Gov. Brad Henry as early as Monday. The state is facing a $900 million budget hole when the fiscal year begins July 1. State agencies have been told to expect budget cuts.
House members on the General Conference Committee on Appropriations:
Rep. Ken Miller, R-Edmond
Rep. Scott Martin, R-Norman
Rep. Doug Cox, R-Grove
Rep. Lee Denney, R-Cushing
Rep. Dale DeWitt, R-Braman
Rep. Jeff Hickman, R-Dacoma
Rep. Mike Jackson, R-Enid
Rep. Guy Liebmann, R-Oklahoma City
Rep. Ron Peters, R-Tulsa
Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore
Rep. Weldon Watson, R-Tulsa
Rep. Tad Jones, R-Claremore
Rep. Marian Cooksey, R-Edmond
Rep. Steve Martin, R-Nowata, Osage and Washington Counties
Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore
Rep. John Auffet, D-Stilwell
Rep. John Carey, D-Durant
Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs
Rep. Larry Glenn, D-Miami
Rep. Chuck Hoskin, D-Vinita
Rep. Neil Brannon, D-Arkoma
Rep. Danny Morgan, D-Prague
Senate members of the General Conference Committee on Appropriations:
Senators Coffee and Majority Floor Leader Sen. Todd Lamb, R-Edmond are ex-officio members of the committee.
Sen. Mike Johnson, R-Kingfisher
Sen. David Myers, R-Ponca City
Sen. Patrick Anderson, R-Enid
Sen. Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa
Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso
Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa
Sen. James Halligan, R-Stillwater
Sen. John Ford, R-Bartlesville
Sen. Ron Justice, R-Chickasha
Sen. Mike Mazzei, R-Tulsa
Sen. Jim Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City
Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa
Sen. Anthony Sykes, R-Moore
Sen. Randy Bass, D-Lawton
Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau
Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, D-Ardmore
Sen. Mary Easley, D-Tulsa
Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant
Sen. Charlie Laster, D-Shawnee
Sen. Debbe Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City
Sen. Richard Lerblance, D-Hartshorne
Sen. Susan Paddack, D-Ada
Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah
– Julie Bisbee, Capitol Bureau
Coffee’s response to Senate Dems request
April 28, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT PRO TEM GLENN COFFEE
“The Democrats, while claiming to want to avoid a distraction, continue their persistent drive to try and create distractions. Today’s letter from the minority caucus is nothing more than their attempt to distract from the good news of progress we are making under Republican leadership in the State Senate.
“Once again, the minority caucus is resorting to the lowest level partisan politics to achieve what they could not achieve at the ballot box.
“They and their cronies have engaged in a relentless and expensive campaign of gutter politics for over a month now, and they are clearly frustrated that the Republican agenda continues to move forward unabated. Contrary to assertions in their letter, my caucus and I have not allowed their tactics to distract us, as was evidenced today in our news conference, where we released a list of almost fifty significant and positive reforms that are moving forward in the legislative process.
“Within the past month, I have disclosed all that is required of me.
“We will continue to move our agenda forward, and not allow Democrat obstructionism to divert our attention.”
Letter from Senate Dems calling for Coffee to resign
Senate Democrats on Tuesday asked for additional information from Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Glenn Coffee regarding his taxes and finances and then called for his resignation if he didn’t provide it.
Here’s the text of the letter the 22-Senate Democrats sent to Coffee on Senate letterhead:
April 28, 2009
Dear Senator Coffee:
One month ago, the Democratic Caucus Chair asked, that you release information to the Senate and Public to clear up questions about your income tax problems.
Despite significant public pressure, you have refused to answer some basic questions about this matter.
We believe you owe it to the people of Oklahoma to clear the air. Your refusal to answer questions and release information has caused the people to wonder:
From what source did you earn enough outside income to incur a $29,000 tax liability?
Who gave or loaned you the money to pay the IRS and on what terms?
What was the collateral, if any, for the loan?
Where did you get the money to pay on the loan and when did you pay on it?
Why did you withdraw large sums of money from your campaign account in round numbers and state it was for “Travel, Meals & Lodging” ?
Your continued refusal to answer questions and provide documentation has been a distraction from the Senate, and calls into question your leadership. Less than a month remains in this legislative session. Education was not funded by the April 1st deadline and there is no budget agreement in sight. A costly special session looms.
We, therefore, again ask that you answer the questions posed about your tax problems, and provide suitable documentation. Should you refuse to do so immediately, we respectfully ask that you step down as President Pro Tempore of the Senate and that there be an immediate election to fill the post with another member of your caucus.
We recognize that this is asking you to provide documents that a normal citizen would not have to disclose. But, you are not just any citizen. You are the leader of the State Senate, and second in succession to the Governor.
Please heed our request.
– Julie Bisbee, Capitol Bureau
English Only, Tort Reform…all in one day
After a marathon meeting of the Senate that included some of the most substantial bills of the session, a few Senators had one thing in mind: steak.
As if session on Wednesday wasn’t meaty enough. It’s deadline week, and that’s usually when things get squirrely…and progress is made.
On Wednesday, senators defeated a bill that would have allowed voters to decide if attorney contingency fees should be capped. They approved an omnibus tort reform bill that now goes to conference committee.
This was all after hearing a bill that would allow voters to decide if English should be the state’s official language.
A few highlights:
Tort Reform
House Bill 1602 failed with a tie at 23. Republican Sen. Steve Russell of Oklahoma City debated against the bill, saying he could not support, plain and simple.
Democrats meanwhile, talked about the benefits of contracts free from government control, the problem of fees from ambulance chasers and the beauty of the American system and a citizen’s access to justice.
Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau, quoted the Bible in his debate. Senate minority leader Sen. Charlie Laster, D-Shawnee, conjured up images of classic scenes from the “The Rainmaker” and Danny DeVito’s ambulance chasing character. While Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, vowed to continue his fight for meaningful lawsuit reform.
One tort measure failed, one moves on to the next round of discussion. This is not the last of this issue, which has been called necessary reform from members of the business and medical communities alike.
For now, advocacy groups are breathing a little easier and say the vote to turn down a ballot measure on attorney’s fees is a victory.
“Without attorneys there is no access to the courts. And without contingency fees there is no access to attorneys, except for the wealthy. Insurance companies and huge corporations can continue to spend untold millions and hire teams of lawyers to fight legitimate claims. It costs tremendous money to take on those with no restrictions on what they can spend and a refusal to admit wrongdoing.” – Jeff Raymond, executive director of OKWatchdog.
English Only:
A few weeks ago, making English the state’s official language would have been big news, with Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, pushing the issue and discussing it to national audiences. On Wednesday, it was lost in the flurry of tort reform. The bill has been amended by its Senate author, Sen. Anthony Sykes, R-Moore. The amendment combines Terrill’s bill with a compromise bill filed by Sen. Patrick Anderson, R-Enid. Anderson’s bill created English as “common language” and acknowledged some federal rules that require some forms to be printed in other languages. The compromise comes days after discussions. Sykes also credits Sen. Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, to help hammer out a deal.
To say it’s been interesting week would be an understatement, and there’s still another day of session left before bills most be reported out of the opposite chamber. Stay tuned.
– Julie Bisbee, Capitol Bureau
Watts ponders gubernatorial bid
J.C. Watts says he will let Oklahomans know in about a month whether he will run for governor in 2010.
“I’m not looking to play with this decision or play politics with it,” Watts said. “It’s a serious decision for my family and me. It’s a serious decision for any candidate.
“I’m just being open to listening to old and trusted friends who understand Oklahoma values and understand my values and understand who we are as a Republican Party and where we want to go with the party,” he said.
“I think I can draw that conclusion over the next four or five weeks,” he said.
Watts, a former Republican congressman, dropped in Saturday at the Republican state convention to chat with party delegates and officials about next year’s gubernatorial race.
Watts, who still is planning to launch a television news network targeted at a black audience, said he has been talking with Republicans from across the state and “I think Republicans are not satisfied with the (gubernatorial) choices.
“I’ve obviously been encouraged to take a look at it by obviously a lot of my supporters and a lot of donors,” Watts said. “It’s a lot to think about and think through.”
Watts, a former star quarterback at the University of Oklahoma, is the first black person elected to a statewide office in Oklahoma. After serving on the state Corporation Commission, he won election to four terms in the U.S. House, where he became chairman of the House Republican Conference. He did not run for re-election in 2002 and started his own lobbying, consulting and public affairs companies in Washington.
He said he believes Republicans will be patient with him as he makes “an honest, objective decision.”
On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin, R-Oklahoma City, and state Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, have announced they are running for governor next year. Both spoke to delegates during the convention.
Democratic Lt. Gov. Jari Askins has said she is in the governor’s race.
What do you think? Will Watts run for governor in 2010?
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
Watts ponders gubernatorial bid
J.C. Watts says he will let Oklahomans know in about a month whether he will run for governor in 2010.
“I’m not looking to play with this decision or play politics with it,” Watts said. “It’s a serious decision for my family and me. It’s a serious decision for any candidate.
“I’m just being open to listening to old and trusted friends who understand Oklahoma values and understand my values and understand who we are as a Republican Party and where we want to go with the party,” he said.
“I think I can draw that conclusion over the next four or five weeks,” he said.
Watts, a former Republican congressman, dropped in Saturday at the Republican state convention to chat with party delegates and officials about next year’s gubernatorial race.
Watts, who still is planning to launch a television news network targeted at a black audience, said he has been talking with Republicans from across the state and “I think Republicans are not satisfied with the (gubernatorial) choices.
“I’ve obviously been encouraged to take a look at it by obviously a lot of my supporters and a lot of donors,” Watts said. “It’s a lot to think about and think through.”
Watts, a former star quarterback at the University of Oklahoma, is the first black person elected to a statewide office in Oklahoma. After serving on the state Corporation Commission, he won election to four terms in the U.S. House, where he became chairman of the House Republican Conference. He did not run for re-election in 2002 and started his own lobbying, consulting and public affairs companies in Washington.
He said he believes Republicans will be patient with him as he makes “an honest, objective decision.”
On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin, R-Oklahoma City, and state Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, have announced they are running for governor next year. Both spoke to delegates during the convention.
Democratic Lt. Gov. Jari Askins has said she is in the governor’s race.
What do you think? Will Watts run for governor in 2010?
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
League of Women Voters opposes voter ID
The League of Women Voters of Oklahoma came out today against the voter identification bill that legisaltors approved and is before Gov. Brad Henry.
The group opposes legislation requiring voters to present identification each time they go to the polls, said Gloria Caldwell, a League spokeswoman.
“We strongly urge Governor Henry to veto this legislation,” Caldwell said.
“If there were any evidence of voter impersonation in Oklahoma elections, the League of Women Voters would be first in line supporting this kind of legislation – but proponents cannot identify one single case of voter impersonation in Oklahoma elections,” she said. “Election boards have stringent protections in place to preserve the integrity of Oklahoma’s election system.”
Under SB 4, proof of identity could be established by showing a document containing a photograph of the voter that was issued by a state, federal or tribal government. It also would allow voters to cast a ballot if they showed their free voter identification card issued by their county election board.
Voters unable to show any proof of identity would be allowed to sign a statement under oath swearing to their idenity. Anyone found to have signed the oath falsely would be subject to felony punishment.
“We don’t want voting to be difficult, we simply want to maintain the integrity of our system,” Ford, R-Bartlesville and Senate author of the legislation, said earlier this week.
The bill also extends in-person absentee voting. It would allow voters to start voting at 1 p.m. the Wednesday before a general election. Voters now may cast ballots early on the Friday, Saturday and Monday before an election.
The governor said earlier he preferred to see the two subjects, voter identification and increasing the time for early voting, in separate bills.
What do you think?
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
