By Constitution Staff

Oklahoma's presidential primary election was held on March 6th when the Sooner state joined ten other states holding caucuses or primary elections. Five Democrats and seven Republicans filed for a place on the Oklahoma ballot. The Democrat candidates included President Barack Obama, and four other candidates. One Oklahoma Democrat, perennial candidate Jim Rogers,. was on the ballot. Also running as a Democrat was Randall Terry, the pro-life activist who founded "Operation Rescue" known for blocking the entrances of abortion clinics with protestors.

In the Republican Primary Rick Santorum finished first with 34 percent of the vote, followed by Mitt Romney with 28 percent, Newt Gingrich with 27 percent, and Ron Paul with 10 percent. Based on the election results, the Republican delegate tally was Santorum 14, Romney 13, Gingrich 13. Three other GOP delegate slots are held by state party officials.

In the Democrat primary, the delegate result was Obama 35, Terry 7, and Rogers 3. The delegate loss to Terry and Rogers was the first for President Obama in any of the previous state primaries. But, when Democrats gathered in April at their state convention to select delegates to the Democratic National Convention, all delegates went to Obama, even though the president won only 57 percent of the statewide vote in the Democrat Primary. Party officials explained that Terry and Rogers failed to file the necessary paperwork under the party's delegate selection plan. Terry won 18 percent of the state's Democratic vote, exceeding the 15 percent needed to secure an at-large delegate. He also won more than 15 percent of the vote in three congressional districts, which made him eligible for more delegates. Rogers got more than 15 percent of the vote in three congressional districts.

BOOKS BY OKLAHOMA U.S. SENATORS

A book by U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, The Greatest Hoax: How the Global Warming Conspiracy Threatens Your Future, was released in March and is published by WND Books. It chronicles Inhofe's crusade against scientists, politicians and others who have proposed tighter limits on greenhouse gas emissions to slow global warming. Inhofe, has called man-made global warming a hoax. Please refer to the article on the book elsewhere in this issue.

Oklahoma's other U.S. Senator, Dr. Tom Coburn, has written a second book, called The Debt Bomb, which was released in April and is published by Thomas Nelson. According to the publisher, the book details "who and what he claims has led the United States to the edge of financial calamity."

REMOVING GOVERNOR FROM PAROLES

On March 19, the Oklahoma Senate approved Senate Joint Resolution 25 which will allow voters this November to decide whether or not to take the Governor out of the parole process for nonviolent offenses. The resolution, authored by Sen. Josh Brecheen (R-Coalgate) and House Speaker Kris Steele (R-Shawnee), is supported by the Gov. Mary Fallin. SJR 25 would amend the state Constitution to give the Pardon and Parole Board total power to review and decide parole requests for nonviolent offenders. Violent crimes would still be reviewed by the Governor. Being a joint resolution that submits a question to the voters, it only had to be approved by both chambers of the legislature in order to go on the ballot. It does not have to be considered or approved by the Governor. The Senate voted 39-1in favor of the resolution. The House previously approved the measure 86-8 on February 29.

In 2007, MGT conducted a performance audit of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. The study found that removing the Governor from the parole process for nonviolent offenders could save the state over $40 million over a decade or $4 million a year by getting people out of prison sooner. The MGT audit found that, on average, it takes the Governor around 100 days, or just over three months, to review paroles. Being that in 2011 it cost on average just over $40 a day to incarcerate an inmate, that delay costs the state an average of roughly $4,000 per inmate. "No other Governor in the country is involved in their state's pardon and parole process for nonviolent offenses," said Brecheen. "We're the last state in America to task our Governor with this responsibility. It's time we followed the template of the 49 other states and remove her from the process."

PARENTAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT

The Oklahoma House of Representatives approved a resolution on March 30 calling on Congress to amend the U.S. Constitution with a Parental Rights Amendment. "It is clear that children are best served when parents have the freedom to make child-rearing decisions about education, religion, and other areas of a child's life without state interference," said state Rep. George Faught (R-Muskogee). "The primary role of parents is to raise their children and they should have the ability to do so without their right being dictated by the United Nations." House Concurrent Resolution 1028, by Faught, addresses the impending threat of the U.N.'s Rights of the Child Treaty, which many human rights groups are pressuring the U.S. Senate to ratify by November 20 of this year. The treaty only needs the Senate and the President's approval for ratification.

The resolution calls on Congress to act immediately to prevent the treaty from being passed by adding a Parental Rights Amendment to the Constitution. The proposed constitutional amendment would declare, "The liberty of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is a fundamental right." It would also state, "No treaty may be adopted nor shall any source of international law be employed to supersede, modify, interpret, or apply to the rights guaranteed by this article." Oklahoma is one of several states urging support for a Parental Rights Amendment at the federal level. HCR1028 heads to the state Senate for approval.

SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS

On April 26 the Oklahoma House voted 84-0 to increase the legal protection of citizens' constitutional rights. Senate Bill 1760 was approved by the Senate 46-0 on March 13. The legislation by state Sen. Anthony Sykes (R-Moore) and state Rep. T.W. Shannon (R-Lawton), would specify that Oklahomans' Second Amendment rights cannot be taken away during a declared state of emergency. "While government may assume greater police powers to preserve public safety during times of emergency, the government should never be allowed to strip citizens of their most basic constitutional rights," said Shannon,. "This legislation simply makes clear that Oklahomans will continue to have the right to self-defense during emergency situations." Shannon noted that law enforcement officials reportedly seized guns from citizens who were not engaged in acts of lawlessness after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, which led many states to reconsider laws dealing with an official state of emergency.

Senate Bill 1760 amends the Oklahoma Riot Control and Prevention Act to state that "neither the governor nor any official of a municipal or state entity shall prohibit or suspend the sale, ownership, possession, transportation, carrying, transfer and storage of firearms, ammunition and ammunition accessories during a declared state of emergency that are otherwise legal under state law." The bill would apply to situations where a state of emergency has been declared to deal with a public disorder, disaster, or riot. Under the bill, the Oklahoma Riot Control and Prevention Act would continue to allow the governor to issue proclamations imposing a curfew, banning the sale of alcohol, targeting individuals using explosive devices, and other activities the governor "reasonably believes should be prohibited to help preserve and maintain life, health, property or the public peace" during a disaster or riot. "In a situation where a riot is severe enough that the governor declares a state of emergency, citizens in the affected area will likely have much greater need for self-defense than at any other time," Shannon said. "It makes no sense to force those law-abiding citizens caught in a bad situation to disarm when they may be threatened with violence by lawless individuals."

OPEN CARRY LAW

Senate Bill 1733, the licensed Open Carry Law, passed the House 85-3 on April 26. It previously passed in the Senate, 34-9 on March 14. The bill still faced one more vote by the Senate before being sent to the Governor. The legislation by state Sen. Anthony Sykes (R-Moore) and state Rep. Jeff Hickman (R-Woodward), would allow persons with a Concealed Carry permit to also Open Carry their firearm.

LIABILITY AT GUN RANGES

Legislation signed by Governor Mary Fallin on April 2 would limit the liability of owners, employees and customers for injuries that take place on gun ranges, gun shops and gun clubs. Senate Bill 875, by state Sen. Anthony Sykes (R-Moore) and state Rep. Dennis Johnson (R-Duncan), would limit liability for injuries if the party in question acted in good faith. Liability would not be limited if the party involved acted intentionally, willfully or with wanton disregard for the safety of those injured. Sykes said the legislation helps bolster the Second Amendment rights of Oklahomans.

"This measure will enhance our ability to exercise Second Amendment rights," said Sykes. "Anyone who belongs to a gun club, uses a shooting range or simply wants to purchase a firearm will benefit from this act."

Rep. Johnson said the legislation would limit the cost of liability insurance for these small businesses. "It's not likely that you will get shot on a gun range, but there is a higher risk of getting shot on one than say in your own home," said Johnson. "Due to this, gun ranges and the people who frequent them are vulnerable to frivolous lawsuits. Creating a higher standard of culpability in order to sue is a reasonable and appropriate change to current law."

The owner of Murf's Guns in Duncan said he was pleased by the Legislature's support of small business. "This is common-sense legislation that is very much needed for small businesses in Oklahoma," owner Ken Murfree said. "These are tough times and whatever lawmakers and the governor can do to mitigate some of the cost of doing business is much appreciated." The bill passed the Senate 41-3 on March 14, and the House 80-12 on March 26. The legislation takes effect on Nov. 1, 2012.

STATE INCOME TAX PHASE OUT

Several proposals to phase out the state's personal income tax are moving through the Legislature. A proposal to phase out the income tax over 10 years is moving toward approval. Supporters say House Bill 3038 would set Oklahoma on a path toward vibrant, long-term prosperity and robust job growth for generations to come. HB 3038 would repeal Oklahoma's progressive personal income tax without necessitating increases in other tax rates or cuts in funding to core government services. Were Oklahoma to eliminate its personal income tax without raising or expanding any other tax rates, the state would have the lowest overall tax burden in the continental United States. Texas already doesn't have an income tax, and Kansas and Missouri are actively looking to get rid of theirs.

The proposal would phase out the state personal income tax through a process of simplifying the tax code, making modest reductions in wasteful, inefficient and nonessential state spending at the outset of the phase-out process, and utilizing growth revenue from other sources as Oklahoma's private sector grows in response to the state's dramatically improved tax climate. The legislation passed the House 58-35 on March 14 and 31-15 in the Senate on April 17. It was returned to the House for consideration of Senate amendments.

House Democrats held press conferences in which they warned of the "impending disaster"if the income tax cut proposals are passed into law. House Democratic Leader Scott Inman (D-Del City) said, "Through this series of press conferences we are trying to put a stop to a trainwreck of fiscal irresponsibility. We will not be able to invest in proper care for those people who desperately need it, if these proposals are enacted."

COLLINS AND OKC BOMBING

When Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Matt Pinnell expressed disappointment that the Obama Administration had neglected to issue a statement on the 17th anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building in Oklahoma City, his Democrat Party counterpart, Wallace Collins, had this retort: "Is he forgetting the fact that the bombing was done by somebody of his bent -- in other words a right-winger?" Collins added, "If Timothy McVeigh were alive today, he most likely would be a Tea Partier."

Pinnell responded, "Collins has stooped to a new low with his latest remarks. This is as offensive and despicable as they come. To imply that a deranged madman who killed 168 people including 19 children is someone like me, a "right-winger,' is way over the line." Pinnell called for Collins to apologize, but of course Collins refused.

COLLINS LOST LIBEL SUIT

Collins is an old hand at using the terrible tragedy of April 19, 1995 to score political points. In his 1996 campaign, he falsely accused Oklahoma Constitution Editor Steve Byas of saying the U.S. government blew up the Murrah building. Of course, Byas had said no such thing, and successfully sued Collins for libel, winning 12-0 before a Cleveland County jury, 3-0 before the Court of Civil Appeals, and 9-0 before the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

Now, Collins compares peaceful Tea Party folks, exercising their First Amendment rights of protest, with a mass murderer. Is this what the Democrat Party has descended to?

INSURANCE EXCHANGES ON HOLD

The Legislature will wait until after the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of the federal health care law before proceeding with Senate Bill 1629. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule this summer, perhaps as early as June, on a legal challenge brought by several states alleging the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (known as ObamaCare) is unconstitutional. If the high court overturns the law, the possibility exists that health insurance exchanges would not be necessary. And should the high court uphold the federal law, nuances within the majority opinion could help legislators craft the most effective Oklahoma-based marketplace possible to defend against the imposition of a federal exchange.

"There are many common-sense solutions conservatives can agree on to lower the cost of healthcare, expand access and choices to more individuals, and increase the quality of our care -- all through tried-and-true principles of the free market," said Sen. Gary Stanislawski (R-Tulsa), co-chairman of the Joint Committee on Federal Health Care Law. "These are ideas worth pursuing, and we eagerly await the Supreme Court's repeal of ObamaCare so we can begin the very serious business of addressing our healthcare challenges with solutions that expand freedom instead of government," Stanislawski said.

The Joint Committee on Federal Health Care Law met five times throughout the interim to determine the effect the law will have on Oklahoma. Among its recommendations was to craft a state-based marketplace in order to prevent the federal government from imposing a federal exchange in Oklahoma. "If the court doesn't reject this law as we hope, developing a state-based exchange remains our best defense against unwanted federal intervention," said Rep. Glen Mulready (R-Tulsa), the committee's other co-chairman.

PHYSICIANS OPPOSE OBAMACARE

During the weeks leading up to the Supreme Court arguments over the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the President's health care law. U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn (who is a medical doctor) engaged the nation's largest online physician community, Sermo.com, in a survey asking doctors for their input on the impact of the law on the quality of the practice of medicine for patients, the deficit, and taxpayers. The non-scientific poll found 75 percent of physicians largely oppose the President's health care law. "It is significant that our nation's physicians -- not merely Washington lobbying organizations claiming to represent physicians -- oppose the President's health care law. For instance, the American Medical Association supported the President's plan yet now we see that 75 percent of actual physicians oppose the law. Physicians oppose the law for a simple reason: they know it will not work and will ultimately harm patients. Regardless of how the Supreme Court rules, these results further illustrate why Congress should repeal this flawed law and replace it with one that will work, " said Coburn.

Other notable findings include: 79 percent believe the law will increase the deficit; 59 percent believe the law does not accomplish the goal of achieving real, sustainable, affordable health reform that is sustainable for patients, physicians, and taxpayers; 65 percent rated Congress' ability to listen to the perspective of physicians about health care policy as very poor; 96 percent do not think the majority of politicians in the House and Senate understand the challenges in American health care; 80 percent believe IPAB will cut reimbursement rates to providers and therefore harm beneficiary access; 77 percent think the federal government should decrease its involvement in and regulation of health care in America. Sermo.com is a physicians-only site that allows practicing physicians to engage in discussion with their peers, promote patient safety and public health, and forecast any potential problems in the field of medicine.

OUT-OF-STATE INSURANCE OPTION

Oklahomans could have the opportunity to purchase insurance from companies across the nation under legislation approved by the House 57-35 on April 18. Senate Bill 1059, by state Sen. Bill Brown (R-Broken Arrow) and state Rep. Lewis Moore (R-Edmond) would create the "Health Care Choice Act." The measure would allow the state of Oklahoma to enter compacts with other states that allow the sale of insurance products across state lines. "This legislation would increase competition for Oklahomans' insurance business and potentially drive down prices while providing a greater array of products," said Moore. "At the same time, this bill still gives the state regulatory oversight to ensure consumer protections are maintained."

Under the legislation, the state insurance commissioner would be authorized to negotiate compacts with other states that allow insurers domiciled those states to sell accident and health coverage in Oklahoma. Each compact would be subject to disapproval by a majority vote of both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature, or the governor could disapprove a compact through an executive order. Out-of-state insurers covered by the compacts would not be required to offer or provide state-mandated health benefits required by Oklahoma law, potentially allowing less expensive basic policies to be sold to Oklahomans. Senate Bill 1059 previously passed the state Senate on March 6, in a 30-10 vote.

AGENCY CONSOLIDATION BILL

An agency consolidation bill passed the House 60-32 on March 8, and the Senate 43-0 on April 18. It was returned to the House for consideration of Senate amendments. House Speaker Kris Steele (R-Shawnee) who is the House author of the legislation said: "As fiscal conservatives, we're always working on ways to reduce government waste and inefficiencies. This bill continues the progress we've made to streamline similar state operations that are currently spread across multiple agencies so we can have more effective services for the public and put more money back in the hands of taxpayers. I'd like to thank Senator David and her colleagues for their continued commitment to building a leaner, more efficient government in Oklahoma." HB 3053, by Steele and Sen. Kim David (R-Wagoner) would consolidate the Oklahoma State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board and Employment Benefits Council Board into the newly-created Oklahoma Employees Insurance and Benefits Board, which would be housed in the newly-renamed Office of Management and Enterprise Services (currently the Office of State Finance). The bill is the follow up to HB 2140, which was signed into law last year and consolidated five agencies with similar services into OSF.

IT CONSOLIDATION

In April, state lawmakers will received an update about the ongoing process to consolidate state government information technology resources. State Chief Information Officer Alex Pettit appeared before the House Government Modernization Committee during its last meeting of this legislative session on April 12. Last November, Pettit told committee members that even though House Bill 1304, the IT Consolidation bill, had just taken effect, the state's IT cost has already dropped by 10 percent with an elimination of 21 percent of IT positions, a reduction of 50 percent of server cost and an expected savings of $172 million over seven years from just the handful of agencies that have already been consolidated. Committee Chairman Jason Murphey (R-Guthrie) asked Pettit to provide the committee with a list of state agencies that are still refusing to cooperate with the consolidation. Murphey explained that it is vital for lawmakers to stay engaged in oversight of the consolidation. "It is our job to ensure the shared IT service consolidation takes place in an efficient manner designed to improve IT deliverables to the taxpayer while significantly cutting the cost. It is also important for us to know which state bureaucracies are refusing to follow the law."

AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURAL CENTER

On April 5, it was announced that an agreement had been reached with Gov. Mary Fallin and legislative leaders to consider legislation calling for reforms of the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum (AICCM). Prior to the consideration of any additional bond issue for the project, the lawmakers have requested an audit of AICCM; consideration of legislation to consolidate the agency under the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department; and a requirement for submission of a completion plan for the facility with a full accounting of all costs. The lawmakers recognized a proposed bond issue may be forthcoming, but said before it would be considered, the Legislature will require an updated completion plan, reflecting accurate projections for all costs with deadlines for completion.

The state has already provided more than $66 million for the venture, but another $80 million may be needed to open its doors. Advocates for the development pledge to raise half that amount privately if the state will kick in the rest. Legislative opponents of the AICCM say the state passed three previous bond issues, and each time it was promised that no more state money would be needed for the project. A 2008 press release after the last $25 million bond issue was approved declared: "The remaining $75 million will come from private sources including American Indian tribes."

Meanwhile, individual tribes have built their own cultural centers. The Chickasaw Nation opened a $40 million cultural center in Sulphur in July 2010. Previously, the Potawatomi Nation opened its cultural center in Shawnee in 2006, and the Comanche Nation opened its center in the Lawton area in 2007. Other Oklahoma tribes also have cultural centers or museums. So, some wonder why it was necessary for the state to also build one.

LAKE MURRAY LODGE BILL

Legislation was approved April 18 by the Oklahoma House authorizing $15 million for the construction of a new lodge in Lake Murray State Park. Senate Bill 1913, by state Sen. Frank Simpson (R-Ardmore) and state Rep. Pat Ownbey (R-Ardmore) would allow the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department to draw on the Oklahoma State Park Fund, which receives money from mineral lease payments, royalties and other payments associated with oil and gas in state parks. A total of $16.6 million in the Oklahoma State Park Fund came from royalty payments at Lake Murray. The new lodge is needed because the old one has deteriorated badly.

Oklahoma operates 41 state park properties, but only owns 14 of the parks. Lake Murray State Park, with 12,496 acres, is bigger than all the other state-owned parks combined. "Being that a majority of the royalties put into the State Park Fund came from the Lake Murray State Park, it only makes sense to use those funds to build a new lodge at that park with modern amenities that will be more appealing to tourists than the current, outdated one," said Sen. Simpson. The legislation was approved by a vote of 75-16 in the House and earlier passed the Senate 33-10 on March 13. It proceeds to the governor's desk to be signed into law.

FOREIGN LAW IN STATE COURTS

State Rep. Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City) said she is shocked that a state Senate committee voted on April 5 to allow the use of foreign law in state courts. "This legislation was a simple measure to ensure that only American law is used to decide Oklahoma court cases when the use of foreign law would deny someone their constitutional rights granted them under the U.S. Constitution or Oklahoma Constitution," said Kern. "This measure has broad support in Oklahoma and killing it is a slap in the face to voters who believe foreign law should have no bearing on legal decisions that impact Oklahomans in Oklahoma." House Bill 1552, by Kern, declares that any court action will be "void and unenforceable" if the court ruling is based "on any law, rule, legal code or system that would not grant the parties affected by the ruling or decision the same fundamental liberties, rights, and privileges granted under the United States and Oklahoma Constitutions."

The legislation was filed in response to the voter-approved State Question 755 and is designed to address some of the legal issues that have arisen since. State Question 755, which prohibited the use of foreign law and expressly prohibited reliance on Sharia law in Oklahoma courts, passed with 70 percent of the vote in November 2010. To address one of the problems tied to SQ 755, House Bill 1552 declares, "The Legislature fully recognizes the right to contract freely under the laws of this state, and also recognizes that this right may be reasonably and rationally circumscribed pursuant to the state's interest to protect and promote rights and privileges granted under the United States or Oklahoma Constitution."

Rep. Kern said, "For a group of Oklahoma senators to tacitly endorse the use of foreign law in Oklahoma courts is shocking." House Bill 1552 was filed in 2011 and passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on a bipartisan 76-3 vote. But, it did not receive a hearing in the Senate until now. Members of the Senate Rules Committee voted 6-9 against the measure. Those supporting the bill were state Sens. Josh Brecheen (R-Coalgate), John Ford (R-Bartlesville), David Holt (R-Oklahoma City), Anthony Sykes (R-Moore), Jonathan Nichols (R-Norman) and Rob Johnson (R-Kingfisher). Those opposing the measure were state Sens. Patrick Anderson (R-Enid), Cliff Branan (R-Oklahoma City), Eddie Fields (R-Wynona), Dan Newberry (R-Tulsa), Jerry Ellis (D-Valliant), Earl Garrison (D-Muskogee), Al McCaffrey (D-Oklahoma City), and Judy Eason-McIntyre (D-Tulsa). Three members failed to attend the meeting at the time of the vote: state Sens. Clark Jolley (R-Edmond), Mike Mazzei (R-Tulsa) and John Sparks (D-Norman).

COURT STRIKES ULTRASOUND ACT

On March 28, Oklahoma County District Judge Bryan C. Dixon ruled that a 2010 law giving women the opportunity to view ultrasounds before having abortions is unconstitutional. Former Gov. Brad Henry vetoed the bill and the Legislature overrode his veto. The Center for Reproductive Rights, a New York-based abortion rights group, challenged the Ultrasound Act on behalf of Nova Health Systems, which operates Reproductive Services of Tulsa. The law had been blocked by a temporary injunction since May 2010. The ruling is being appealed by Attorney General Scott Pruitt.

Although ultrasounds are routinely conducted immediately prior to an abortion, those pictures and the information obtained from the ultrasound usually are not provided to women. Research has shown that most women upon seeing the ultrasound, will not proceed with the abortion and will opt to have the child. Supporters say women seeking an abortion should have the benefit of complete information before proceeding which such a medical procedure. House Bill 2780 was one of the ten bills included on the 2010 Oklahoma Conservative Index.

HEARTBEAT INFORMED CONSENT ACT

On April 19, the Oklahoma House of Representatives voted 75-12 to approve a bill giving women the opportunity to hear the fetal heartbeat prior to an abortion. The Senate passed the legislation 34-8 on March 6. The bill now proceeds to the governor to be signed into law.

Senate Bill 1274, by state Sen. Dan Newberry (R-Tulsa) and state Rep. Pam Peterson (R-Tulsa), creates the Heartbeat Informed Consent Act. "I authored this measure to give the unborn child at least one chance to speak with the only voice it has -- its heartbeat," said Sen. Newberry. Senate Bill 1274 would apply to situations where the unborn baby is eight weeks or older, and the woman would have the choice of whether or not to hear the heartbeat during a standard pre-procedure exam. "Thanks to advances in modern medicine, we've gone from the days when people claimed a baby was "just a clump of cells' to being able to see the truly astounding process of development in the womb," said Rep. Peterson. "There's a much greater array of medical data now available to women, and we should not allow them to be denied access to that knowledge."

Peterson noted the bill is in keeping with U.S. Supreme Court rulings. In Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the court's majority declared, "In attempting to ensure that a woman apprehend the full consequences of her decision, the State furthers the legitimate purpose of reducing the risk that a woman may elect an abortion, only to discover later, with devastating psychological consequences, that her decision was not fully informed…" The bill does not require the patient to hear the heartbeat, but will require the physician to inform the patient of their right to have the fetal heartbeat made audible. "A pregnant woman who enters an abortion clinic is faced with a decision that will forever change two lives. It is for that reason the woman needs to be fully informed. Whether you're pro-life or pro-choice you should be for this bill if you do not want women misled," Peterson said.

PERSONHOOD BILL ON HOLD

The Oklahoma Personhood Act, Senate Bill 1433, is dead for this session of the Legislature. House Speaker Kris Steele (R-Shawnee) issued a statement on April 19 saying the legislation would not be given a floor hearing in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. "The House Republican Caucus voted today not to hear the personhood bill on the House floor. This decision was not made unilaterally, but as a caucus collectively. I accept the will of our caucus. The fact is this bill sends a statement Oklahoma has already made. We're already perhaps the most pro-life state in this country, having passed at least 30 various pro-life measures in the past eight years alone. You will not find a bigger friend of the unborn than this Legislature, but this bill would not have any substantive policy effect." said Steele.

The legislation simply declares that the "life of each human being begins at conception" and that the "laws of this state shall be interpreted and construed to acknowledge on behalf of the unborn child at every stage of development all the rights, privileges, and immunities available to other persons, citizens, and residents of this state." The measure is based on a Missouri law that has been in place for more than two decades that was upheld by a 1989 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Critics of the measure have claimed the bill would outlaw in-vitro fertilization and birth control. To address the issue, the Oklahoma legislation expressly declares, "Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit contraception or in vitro fertilization."

Oklahomans for Life Chairman Anthony J. Lauinger, explained the rationale for the legislation, "There is great educational value in a law such as the Personhood Act. Most citizens instinctively respect our laws. Many equate what is legal with what is right. Our laws serve an essential purpose in teaching, in guiding our actions. Ultimately, the pro-life effort is a struggle for the hearts and minds of our citizens."

Supporters of the legislation will continue to collect signatures on an initiative petition to place the proposal on the ballot, now that the legislative route has been blocked.

iTunes U SITE

In April the Oklahoma State Department of Education announced it had launched a new site on iTunes U, "OSDE on iTunes U," as part of its effort to expand digital learning and professional development resources for students, parents, educators and school administrators across the state. "Our new iTunes U site is another innovative step in our goal to deliver anytime, anywhere learning," said State Superintendent Janet Barresi. "We're leveraging digital media and taking advantage of innovative free technology resources like iTunes U to meet the needs of students, educators, parents and citizens. I'm pleased we'll be able to offer this additional resource via the powerful tool that is iTunes U to help reach beyond the walls of the traditional classroom."

The launch of the OSDE site on iTunes U coincided with a Digital Learning Summit being held in Oklahoma City with legislative leaders, state policymakers and a broad array of stakeholders from across the state. The OSDE site on iTunes U will continue to grow and currently offers key professional development resources for school leaders preparing for new academic standards, podcasts of Superintendent Barresi's regular video message, a workshop on Teacher and Leader Effectiveness, and more. iTunes U is a dedicated area within iTunes that gives users public access to hundreds of thousands of free lectures, videos, books, podcasts, and courses from learning institutions all over the world. And with the iTunes U app users can download content directly onto their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

STATE EDUCATION CHIEF OF STAFF

Republican state School Superintendent Janet Barresi took some heat from conservatives with the appointment of the chief lobbyist of the liberal Oklahoma Education Association (OEA), Joel Robison, as chief of staff at the state department of education. Robison also served as the associate executive director of OEA. He also previously held an elected position with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Oklahoma branch. He had been with the OEA since 2000. OEA has long been seen as a de facto arm of the Democrat Party in Oklahoma, routinely endorsing Democrats in practically every political race in the state. Conservatives blame the teachers unions for much of what is wrong with public education.

Adding to the criticism is information that Robison was charged with a crime on April 27, 1988. At that time, Robison was a teacher in the Oklahoma City Public Schools and also served as the state president of the AFT. Robison and his wife were charged with "willfully and knowingly voting illegally in a school board election on April 12, 1988." They listed the address of the AFT office as their home address in order to cast a vote illegally in the election. Both Joel Robison and his wife, also a teacher in the OKC Public Schools resigned their posts from teaching. Joel also quit as president of the AFT.

USA WIND JOBS CHAMPION

On March 21, Congressman Frank Lucas was presented with a USA Wind Jobs Champion Award for his support and work in helping to create and sustain U.S. jobs in the wind energy industry and its manufacturing supply chain. "I am honored to be a recipient of the USA Wind Jobs Champion Award," said Lucas. "Oklahoma is a leading producer of wind energy, and I know firsthand the tremendous benefits this resource has brought to our state and the much needed economic development this industry brings to our rural communities. I have always been a strong supporter of the wind industry, and am proud to be a cosponsor of legislation that extends the production tax credit for wind energy. I will continue to promote our energy resources that spur job creation and provide energy security for America." Denise Bode, Chief Executive Officer of the American Wind Energy Association and David "Steve" Parr, site manager for the Weatherford Wind Energy Center in Oklahoma presented Lucas with the award.

In Congressman Lucas' district, 925 turbines harness the State's natural wind resources to generate approximately 1700 megawatts of electricity -- enough power to meet the needs of over 600,000 Oklahoma households. The wind industry supports as many as 2,000 Oklahoma jobs. Oklahoma is home to several major wind energy manufacturing facilities. In 2011 the State added the 5th largest amount of new wind capacity making it the state with the 8th most installed wind capacity in the US.

WOODY GUTHRIE ARCHIVES

Oklahoma is the new home to the comprehensive archives or legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie. The archives were purchased from Woody Guthrie Publications in New York by the George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF) in Tulsa. "The Guthrie family has inspired us through its brilliant, loving and creative stewardship of these remarkable materials," said GKFF executive director Ken Levit. "We plan to make the Woody Guthrie Archive available to scholars, artists and the general public so the story of this extraordinary Oklahoman can be told for generations to come." The collection includes original musical recordings, nearly 3,000 song lyrics, many rare books by and about Guthrie, more than 700 pieces of artwork, letters and postcards, manuscripts and personal journals. Bob Blackburn, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) said, "Woody Guthrie is the greatest American folk singer/songwriter of all time. His art is deeply connected to Oklahoma's people and its history. It reflects the Oklahoma experience, from mobility and immigration to diversity and the longing for a sense of community."

Woodrow "Woody" Wilson Guthrie was born in Okemah, Oklahoma in 1912. He was a singer, artist, writer, radio show host and political activist during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Among the archived items is a research paper detailing Guthrie's mental and physical deterioration from Huntington's disease, the hereditary condition that took his life at age 55. Another important piece of the collection is Guthrie's original handwritten copy of "This Land is Your Land." The song was inspired as a retort to the patriotic "God Bless America" by Irving Berlin, and the lyrics demonstrate his left-wing political views.

GKFF is funded by George Kaiser, chairman of Tulsa-based BOK Financial Corp. and owner of Kaiser-Francis Oil Co. He is Oklahoma's richest citizen and a major supporter for the state and national Democrat Party. A major fundraiser for Obama's 2008 campaign, lt is alleged that Kaiser played a significant role in the granting of $535 million federal loans to Solyndra, the solar panel manufacturer that received the federal loan guarantee in 2009 and sought bankruptcy protection in last August. GKFF held a 36.7 percent interest in Solyndra.

DEATH OF STATE REP. SUE TIBBS

State Representative Sue Tibbs (R-Tulsa) passed away April 6 due to complications from a long battle with cancer. Tibbs, 77, was with her family at her home in Tulsa when she passed. Tibbs, had represented House District 23 since 2000. Tibbs had surgery in 2008 and underwent chemotherapy, but the treatment stopped working. She continued her service in the Legislature even as her health failed. She began working her first session on voter ID issues and this year the Voter ID law is now in effect. She had a 67% cumulative average on the Oklahoma Conservative Index. Due to term limits, she could not have run for election to another term. Since her death occurred after the first of the year, the seat will remain vacant until filled in the regular November General Election.