Published: October 28, 2009 06:51 pm      

Murphey talks modernization

EDMOND — State Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie, held the third of his four town hall meetings Tuesday night at the Woodcrest Fire Station, in southern Logan County, where he updated about 100 constituents on the past legislative session and what can be expected from the state Legislature in 2010.

Murphey, chairman of the House Government Modernization Committee, told the audience he is hopeful that when the Legislature convenes in February, Oklahomans will have the opportunity to view the House of Representatives proceedings live on the Internet.

Murphey said he has worked with House Speaker Chris Benge on the issue and says House information technology employees are currently installing cameras in the House chamber and getting an Internet feed ready to go.

Currently, only the Oklahoma State Senate has Internet video access to its committee and chamber proceedings.

“One of the biggest reforms we can have in this state is to shine the light of day on legislative proceedings,” Murphey said. “The first step is to allow people to see what is going on in the Legislature. I think it’s inexcusable in this day and age that these proceedings aren’t available either over the Internet or on TV. Hopefully, this next year you will be able to watch what is occurring in the state Legislature.”

Murphey said he is hopeful that OETA or Cox On Demand will agree to pick up the House proceedings so more Oklahomans can view them.

“That is a huge change and I think it will have a long term impact for the good,” Murphey said. “This puts Legislators on notice that you are watching.”

Murphey also updated audience members on his ethics reform fight. He said the State Ethics Commission has agreed to consider his no-gift list proposal, which would allow legislators the opportunity to be placed on a list stating publicly they won’t accept any gifts from special interest groups.

Murphey said he is confident his proposal will pass when the Ethics Commission meets in January.

“The idea that is being considered by the Ethics Commission is great,” Murphey said.

Murphey also touted several of his legislative efforts, which included helping pass legislation to restructure and redesign the state’s complex purchasing system; passing legislation to consolidate the state’s IT infrastructure; mandating that state agencies allow people to file for licenses and permits online; and placing state spending data online at www.OK.gov. so Oklahomans can monitor where their money is being spent.

Murphey said he will continue his push for smaller government and added that during the 2010 legislative session his Government Modernization Committee will lead a series of studies designed to help consolidate state government.

The town hall meeting was also attended by District One County Commissioner Mike Pearson and Stuart Jolly, director of the Oklahoma Chapter of Americans for Prosperity.

Pearson, who was elected in 2008, said he has been working hard to upgrade the road system in his Logan County District. He cited a number of road projects completed and several more to be completed in the next few years.

Jolly updated the audience about the health care reform bill currently being considered by Congress.

“This health care bill is bad,” Jolly said. “If you aren’t outraged at what’s going on in Washington, D.C., you aren’t paying attention.”

Jolly chided the health care bill, saying it would create 31 new federal programs and six new federal agencies, and employ over 100,000 new federal employees.

He estimated the health care bill to cost $1.4 trillion and not the nearly $900 billion the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimated it would.

“It’s going to be a lot more expensive than the $900 billion the CBO said it would be,” Jolly said. “The American people deserve to know what the heck is going on in Congress.”

Jolly urged the audience members to contact their Congressional leaders and voice their opinion about the health care debate.

“This health care debate isn’t about health care,” Jolley said. “It’s about health care control. We’ve got to keep the heat on our legislators. I encourage you to get out and make a difference.”

Murphey will hold his final town hall meeting at the Crescent Community Center at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7. Speakers will include state Senator Patrick Anderson and new Logan County Sheriff Jim Bauman. Logan County Commissioner Monty Piercy may also be in attendance in order to answer road-related questions.