Around the State

Muskogee Phoenix, April 15, 2007
"Government, DOC at odds over funding"
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections is caught in a power struggle between lawmakers and the governor’s office.
Lawmakers, who want an independent performance audit of the state agency that costs taxpayers about a half billion dollars per year, appropriated a million dollars for that purpose. Gov. Brad Henry targeted that appropriation as his first line-item veto, saying the appropriation duplicates the work of existing state authorities and contains no accountability measures to ensure it will be spent responsibly.
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KOTV-Tulsa, April 16, 2007
"Governor Brad Henry using old gubernatorial tactic"
In his current budget fight with a Republican-dominated Legislature, Democratic Gov. Brad Henry is making full use of the veto pen, a favorite weapon of past governors. Henry exercised his veto power only 38 times in his first term, just over nine vetoes per year.
That figure pales in comparison to his predecessor, Republican Frank Keating, who had 302 vetoes, averaging 151 per term.
Henry is catching up.
In March, Henry added 135 line-item vetoes to his total in one action when he struck down all agency funding for next year in a $6.9 billion general appropriations bill.
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Tulsa World, April 15, 2007
"Lawsuit reform measure would shield gun makers"
The annual battle over lawsuit reform sped up last week with committee passage of a bill that includes a provision that exempts gun manufacturers from lawsuits.
Rep. Dan Sullivan, R-Tulsa, the House author of the 130-page Senate Bill 507, said the provision was added because firearms manufacturers across the country are being named in lawsuits.
That is because some lawyers think those manufacturers have deep pockets and can afford the cost, he said.
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Oklahoma House of Representatives, April 12, 2007
"House votes to protect farmers and ranchers from bogus lawsuits"
Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers will soon be protected from frivolous lawsuits claiming animal manure is toxic waste thanks to legislation approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives today.
Senate Bill 709, by state Sen. Ron Justice (R-Chickasha) and state Rep. Terry Hyman (D-Leon), declares that manure shall not be considered hazardous waste under state law.
"The passage of Senate Bill 709 means Oklahoma’s 83,000 agricultural producers can do what they do best: produce food and fiber without fear of unwanted litigation," said Hyman. "This bill sends a message that Oklahoma values the agriculture industry and is taking a common-sense approach toward its protection."
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