Rally for Sally Kern
Constitution Staff
On April 2nd, an overflow crowd packed the Oklahoma State Capitol in support of state Rep. Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City). The gathering on the first floor Capitol Rotunda spilled over onto several additional floors overlooking the Rotunda and many were turned away by Capitol Security Guards who attempted to keep the hallways clear for safety. Still others failed to reach the rally, unable to find a place to park. The "Rally for Sally" dwarfed a rally the previous week which condemned her "hate speech" concerning the homosexual agenda. 
HB 1804 Supporters Say Study is Flawed
Constitution Staff
The Oklahoma Bankers Association claimed in a study by the Economic Impact Group of Edmond released in March, that HB 1804 will have a negative impact on Oklahoma's economy. The study titled "A Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) Analysis of the Impact of the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act of 2007" estimates the future loss to Oklahoma's economy in wages and productivity would be between $637 million and $1.8 billion dollars. However, supporters of the bill say the study is seriously flawed.
State Campus Firearms Bill Stalled
Constitution Staff
A bill that would allow some holders of a concealed carry permit to carry their handgun on campus was stalled by a Oklahoma Senate committee. After receiving a 65-36 vote of support in the House of Representatives on March 13, House Bill 2513 failed to get a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee also blocked another House-passed measure which would allow some 18-year-olds to obtain a concealed carry permit. The minimum age is currently 21.
Sen. Coburn's Speech at CPAC Conference
Constitution Staff
Many Oklahoma conservatives were disappointed some were outraged when U.S. Senator Tom Coburn endorsed Sen. John McCain prior to the "Super Tuesday" presidential primaries. Following McCain's success in those primary elections, McCain addressed the national Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) Confernece. McCain was introduced at the conference by Coburn. The following is taken from Dr. Coburn's prepared text for his introduction of McCain, and helps explain the reasons for his support.
Constitution Tidbits
Constitution Staff
BARNEY FRANK COMES TO OKLAHOMA
The openly homosexual congressman from Massachusetts, Barney Frank, is scheduled to hold two fundraisers on April 26 at Oklahoma City's Skirvin Hotel: a $2,300 breakfast and a $1,000 lunch. The event sponsors include Democrat National Committeeman Jim Frasier, Kalyn Free who ran unsuccessfully for 2nd District Congress, George Krumme a Democrat oilman from Tulsa who was also one of the top political contributors in Oklahoma in 2006 (The Oklahoma Democratic Party Headquarters is named after him), former state Attorney General Mike Turpen and former Gov. David Walters.
In The Mail
From Our Readers
The "Federal Emergency Economic Stimulus Plan" is to stimulate Americans to do what they do best spend! Many Americans already spend more than their income. And, the federal government has not had a balanced budget in over 45 years. The National Debt is over 9 trillion dollars.
America's spending addiction is the problem, not the solution. We can not spend ourselves into prosperity. So, is the stimulus plan to help the American people, or multinational corporations?
Bill to Make English Official Language
Constitution Staff
Oklahoma voters could soon decide if English will be the official language of state government in Oklahoma. Senate Bill 163, by state Reps. Randy Terrill (R-Moore) and George Faught (R-Muskogee), was amended April 2 to put the English question to a statewide vote next November. The proposed constitutional amendment would make English the official language of state government in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Civil Rights Initiative Withdrawn
Constitution Staff
The group which circulated the Oklahoma Civil Rights Initiative filed a motion with the state Supreme Court on April 4 to withdraw their initiative petition which would have prohibited government-sponsored race and gender preferences. The backers of the petition said they didn't believe it could withstand a challenge of signatures filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The challenge filed on behalf of petition protesters, including state Reps. Mike Shelton (D-Oklahoma City) and Jabar Shumate (D-Tulsa), charged that the signature gathering process was riddled with errors.
Ending the Campus Gun-free Bubble
Rep. Jason W. Murphey
The House of Representatives recently finished consideration of the bills that have been introduced this year by State Representatives. This included consideration of HB 2513 which I was honored to present to the House. HB 2513 passed the House with bi-partisan support and a 65-36 vote of the members.
Governor Vetoes Pro-Life Legislation
Constitution Staff
For the second time in as many years, Gov. Brad Henry vetoed important Pro-Life legislation. The veto of Senate Bill 1878 came on April 16. The next morning, both houses of the Legislature overrode the veto. The Senate voted 37 - 11 for the override, and the House followed with an 81 - 15 vote.
Oklahoma Granted REAL ID Time Extension
While Oklahoma clearly made known its intention to not comply with the Real ID Act last year, it is nevertheless taking advantage of a grant of more time to comply. As a result, state driver's licenses will continue to be accepted for federal purposes until December 31, 2009. Driver's licenses issued by states which do not have a waiver will not be valid for air travel or to enter federal buildings starting May 11, 2008. People from non-compliance states would have to present alternative identification or be subject to secondary screening or questioning by security officials
Bills to Prevent Election Fraud Considered
Constitution Staff
Bills to prevent election fraud won support in both houses of the Oklahoma Legislature. If a measure is eventually signed into law, Oklahoma would join 22 other states that have adopted similar voter identification requirements.
Will Oklahomans Have a Conservative Choice for President?
Constitution Staff
According to Al Gore, global warming is a planetary emergency. It is difficult to see how this can be the case when record low temperatures are being set all over the world. In 2007, hundreds of people died, not from global warming, but from cold weather hazards.
Term Limits One Step Away From Ballot
Constitution Staff
Oklahomans are just one legislative vote away from being able to vote this November on enacting term limits for statewide office holders. The bill would allow voters this fall to decide whether to enact 12-year term limits for secondary statewide offices such as attorney general, state auditor and state schools superintendent.
Annual Rose Day Brings Overflow Crowd
by Constitution Staff
On February 6, Oklahomans celebrated the 17th Annual Rose Day at the State Capitol which is a day for those believing in the sanctity of human life to express their convictions to their legislators. This year, a record crowd filled the State House Chamber to capacity; as the pro-life proponents surprisingly overflowed to the Senate Chamber in order to listen to the guest speeches.
Oklahoma GOP To Choose New Committee People
Republicans face a difficult task on May 3rd, replacing Lynn Windel of Ardmore as Oklahoma's national committeeman at the Republican National Committee. Windel is stepping down after 12 years of service to Oklahoma's Republicans, years filled with excellent and conservative leadership.
Politics and David Boren Book Review by Steve Byas:OU President David Boren's short, little book, A Letter to America, is a plea to return to the days when Democrats dominated the Congress, and Republicans knew their place. Boren does not present it in those explicit terms, but the intent is clear.
Edwards: Conservatism Has Been HijackedBook Review by Steve Byas:I first met Mickey Edwards in early 1976. He was making his second bid for Congress, having narrowly lost to an incumbent Democrat, John Jarman, two years earlier in what had been a horrific Republican year. I was the President of a conservative student group on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma (then called Central State), and invited Edwards to speak on the topic of conservatism in the Liberal Arts Building auditorium. He was well-received, and I signed on to work for his election. He narrowly defeated Rockefeller Republican G.T. Blankenship in the primary, and then edged out Democrat Tom Dunlap in the general election.
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All genealogy buffs have interesting stories to tell about their ancestors. Most of us have never uncovered murder while doing family research -especially with the perpetrator still at large. That is the premise of Digging Up Bones, a murder mystery written by Oklahoma Constitution editor Steve Byas. Click Here For More!
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