Bonds Would Push State Debt to $1 Billion

Legislature Should Find Money for Funding Priorities

(OKLAHOMA CITY) – Oklahomans for Responsible Government (OFRG), a group dedicated to promoting fiscal responsibility, transparency and accountability in state government, today commented on the irresponsible bond issue proposal before the Oklahoma Legislature.

Issuing bonds to pay for government functions is fiscally arrogant, OFRG said. Considering the $500 million bond approved three years ago for higher education, the state faces $1 billion in debt service if the current proposals are passed.

“The Legislature should learn a thing or two from hard-working Oklahoma families. Most families don’t dive deep into debt when the money runs out. They stick to their budget and make tough choices, making sure the important things are taken care of first. It’s also disappointing to know that leaders who were pushing for TABOR a few years ago are drafting and voting for a proposal to levy $1 billion in debt,” OFRG Executive Director Curt Price said.

Price noted, “Lawmakers had ample opportunity to pass supplemental funding for road and bridges this session but failed to do so. There was even a proposal to remove the trigger on annualized installments for ODOT projects. The state shouldn't be thrown into a spiral of debt because the Legislature failed to come up with the right fiscal plan.”

It’s also fiscally irresponsible during a bleak budget year to use bonds to pay for non-emergency items such as university endowments or cultural centers, OFRG said.

“Higher education has been the beneficiary of large tuition increases, a $500 million bond issue in 2005, and record donor gifts yet still wants more. We shouldn't keep jeopardizing our economic future by obligating millions of dollars of debt for professor and research salaries. We need a cap for this program," Price said. “Though the cultural center rightfully honors the state’s American Indian heritage and will enhance tourism, the state simply cannot afford it – especially by charging it. Perhaps Oklahoma’s Indian tribes, many of which are experiencing financial windfalls through their casino operations, would be willing to provide additional financial support.”

Governor Snubs Landowners with Veto

Governor Henry vetoed another bill this week. This time the measure would have given landownders stronger legal recourse to go after people who damage their property.

The authors of the bill don't know yet if they'll try a veto override before the end of the session.

The governor's veto pen may be running low on ink as he's vetoed pro-life legislation (which thankfully was overridden) and lawsuit reform in the past several days.

Democrats Side with Trial Lawyers

House Democrats sided with Oklahoma trial lawyers and voted against overriding Governor Henry's veto of lawsuit reform legislation.

Sixty-eight voter are needed to override a veto, but the vote Monday was 55-42, straight along party lines.

Governor Sides With Trial Lawyers, Promises to Veto Lawsuit Reform

The Journal Record reports Governor Henry has promised to veto a lawsuit reform measure which passed the House earlier this week.

“Governor Henry supports efforts to reduce frivolous lawsuits, but because
the court has already spoken clearly on the certificate of merit issue, enacting
this measure would be an exercise in futility,” said Henry’s spokesman Paul
Sund.

Sounds like the trial bar talking points. Having an expert weigh-in on a lawsuit beforehand seems like a good way to cull frivolous lawsuits from the court.

That's what Rep. Dan Sullivan (R-Tulsa) told the Journal Record, “It has been my personal experience that requiring an expert report prior to filing a lawsuit has the effect of greatly reducing frivolous lawsuits. It is not proper to file a case and then find out if it has merit. Requiring an expert report will be a big step in the right direction for our state.”

Denver Post Columnist Argues Benefits of Term Limits

John Andrews writes on the Denver Post blog about the surprising economic effects of term limits.

Andrews says:

Economists Arthur Laffer and Stephen Moore, writing in the "Rich
States, Poor States" survey at ALEC.org, rate the bullish or bearish outlook
of each state according to its fiscal, regulatory, and labor policies. States in
the top half of the class where term limits don't seem to spell failure
include...

Arizona #2, South Dakota #3, Colorado #7, Nevada #11, Oklahoma #13,
Florida #14, Arkansas #15, Michigan #16, Missouri #17, and Louisiana #21.

Will Governor Veto Lawsuit Reform Again?

Congratulations to House Republicans, who won a small victory for lawsuit reform in Oklahoma on Wednesday. They were able to secure passage of a bill requiring an expert's opinion confirming professional negligence before a lawsuit could be filed.

Governor Henry must now decide to side whether he'll sign the bill into law or side with the trial lawyers and veto the bill. The Oklahomans says Henry is expected to veto the bill.

Let's hope he realizes the need for lawsuit reform and signs the measure into law.

Voter ID Bill Fails in Senate

The Oklahoma Senate today failed to pass a bill to require voters to show ID before casting a ballot at a polling place.

The bill was defeated along party lines.

According to The AP, "Sen. John Ford, R-Bartlesville, said he would seek another vote on the measure, if he can round up the 25th vote needed for approval. The vote was 24-23 for the bill, but it takes 25 votes to pass a bill in the 48-member Senate. All 24 Republicans supported the plan, while 23 Democrats voted against it."

Preventing voter fraud I guess is not a priority for some in the state Senate.