Published: June 26, 2009 10:35 pm      

6-27 Legislative scorecard

FOLLOWING is a scorecard of how Edmond-area legislators voted on key issues as identified by OKWatchdog for Edmond Sun readers. OKWatchdog is a nonprofit consumer and patient advocacy group. Its mission is to inform the public and encourage grassroots efforts to improve patient safety. The opinions expressed about the legislation are formulated by OKWatchdog’s board of directors. More information may be found at www.okwatchdog.org.



SJR 5

Summary: This resolution asks the people to vote on whether to lower the annual property tax assessment increase cap from 5 percent to 3 percent.

Vote: Died in conference committee.

Sen. Todd Lamb: Aye

Sen. Clark Jolley: Aye

Rep. Marian Cooksey: Aye

Rep. Ken Miller: Aye

Rep. Lewis Moore: Aye

Rep. Jason Murphey: Aye

Our take: The bulk of property taxes goes to fund education, so any discussion of property tax reform also is a discussion about the cost and quality of education; some believe property tax reform is a back door to lowering education spending. In a blog on the issue, Rep. Jason Murphey said property tax growth was second only to road improvements among his constituents’ most pressing concerns. In a press conference, the bill’s authors blamed House Speaker Chris Benge for killing the bill in conference committee.



SB 1102

Summary: This bill expands the list of crimes for which the state collects DNA upon conviction.

Vote: Governor signed.

Sen. Todd Lamb: Aye

Sen. Clark Jolley: Aye

Rep. Marian Cooksey: Aye

Rep. Ken Miller: Aye

Rep. Lewis Moore: Aye

Rep. Jason Murphey: Nay

Our take: Many Oklahomans are proud to be tough on crime. Although the state already collects DNA samples for felonies, this bill, called “Juli’s Law,” expands to include some misdemeanors such as assault and battery, stalking, domestic abuse and possession of drugs such as Valium. Attention must continue to be paid to whether the severity of the crime outweighs the permanent invasion of a person’s privacy.



SB 490

Summary: This bill raises the threshold necessary to file a taxpayer lawsuit against a government entity.

Vote: Governor vetoed.

Sen. Todd Lamb: Aye

Sen. Clark Jolley: Aye

Rep. Marian Cooksey: Aye

Rep. Ken Miller: Excused

Rep. Lewis Moore: Aye

Rep. Jason Murphey: Nay

Our take: This bill is a step backward in holding corrupt public officials accountable.



HB 1170

Summary: This bill would create the position of chief information officer for the state and consolidate various agencies’ information-technology systems.

Vote: Governor signed.

Sen. Todd Lamb: Aye

Sen. Clark Jolley: Aye

Rep. Marian Cooksey: Aye

Rep. Ken Miller: Aye

Rep. Lewis Moore: Aye

Rep. Jason Murphey: Aye

Our take: This bill kept the Legislature from adjourning on the announced day by bringing the Senate to a standstill. Opponents said this bill puts too much power in one person’s hands and is a sweetheart deal for specific vendors. Supporters said it will streamline the state’s information technology and save money.



HB 1736

Summary: This bill creates a new class of home health care workers and establishes training and background checks.

Vote: Governor signed

Sen. Todd Lamb: Aye

Sen. Clark Jolley: Aye

Rep. Marian Cooksey: Excused

Rep. Ken Miller: Aye

Rep. Lewis Moore: Aye

Rep. Jason Murphey: Aye

Our take: This bill helps caregivers keep up with seniors’ changing needs while protecting their safety.



SB 267

Summary: This bill allows money from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust to be used for education and residency training at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Vote: Governor signed.

Sen. Todd Lamb: Aye

Sen. Clark Jolley: Nay

Rep. Marian Cooksey: Nay

Rep. Ken Miller: Aye

Rep. Lewis Moore: Aye

Rep. Jason Murphey: Nay

Our take: The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust was in the news several times this session. Legislation was filed to ask Oklahomans to approve using money from the trust to pay for adult stem cell research, but the organization’s board pre-empted the bill by voting to spend $5.5 million in five years. The underlying question is whether tapping into the trust fund will dilute its core mission of reducing tobacco use and educating Oklahomans on its dangers.



HB 1065

Summary: This bill directs the state Health Department to post results of inspections and complaints against assisted living centers and a means to compare and select facilities.

Vote: Governor signed.

Sen. Todd Lamb: Aye

Sen. Clark Jolley: Aye

Rep. Marian Cooksey: Aye

Rep. Ken Miller: Aye

Rep. Lewis Moore: Aye

Rep. Jason Murphey: Aye

Our take: Putting assisted living inspection data online is a positive development, but legislators need to ensure funds are appropriated to provide the information.



SB 1103

Summary: This bill allows a pregnant woman to use deadly force to protect her unborn child.

Vote: Governor signed.

Sen. Todd Lamb: Aye

Sen. Clark Jolley: Aye

Rep. Marian Cooksey: Aye

Rep. Ken Miller: Aye

Rep. Lewis Moore: Excused

Rep. Jason Murphey: Aye

Our take: This bill arose from a Michigan case in which a pregnant woman was convicted of murder for stabbing her boyfriend while trying to protect herself from being punched in the stomach. She suffered a miscarriage. Glenn Coffee, a co-author of the bill and Senate president pro tempore, cited the state’s high rate of domestic abuse in arguing for the additional legal protections.



SB 518

Summary: This bill makes grandparents members of the immediate family for purposes of making victim impact statements.

Vote: Governor signed.

Sen. Todd Lamb: Aye

Sen. Clark Jolley: Aye

Rep. Marian Cooksey: Aye

Rep. Ken Miller: Aye

Rep. Lewis Moore: Aye

Rep. Jason Murphey: Aye

Our take: More and more grandparents are raising their grandchildren. When something tragic happens to a grandchild, grandparents should be able to testify about the effect it has had on their lives.



SB 881

Summary: This bill allows military personnel to receive a 100 percent exemption from state income taxes.

Vote: Governor signed.

Sen. Todd Lamb: Aye

Sen. Clark Jolley: Aye

Rep. Marian Cooksey: Aye

Rep. Ken Miller: Aye

Rep. Lewis Moore: Aye

Rep. Jason Murphey: Aye

Our take: Oklahomans proudly proclaim their support for military personnel, and this bill’s unanimous passage is further proof, even in a year when legislative leaders predicted no tax cuts would emerge. A House analysis predicted that the bill will cost $12.8 million in fiscal year 2011.

JEFF RAYMOND is executive director of OKWatchdog. He may be reached at jraymond@okwatch-dog.org.