| House leadership pulled a surprise maneuver after lunch, today. Without any printed agenda to guide the orderly preparations for legislation, they presented Rep. Scott Fetgatter's bill to seek a repeal of SQ640 (the taxpayers' Bill of Rights). Shortly into the process, Fetgatter was recognized to present his resolution to ask voters to disavow what their fathers fought hard to secure. A right to reign in legislative confiscation of family assets. Fetgatter further assaulted the house with a floor amendment to his own bill, to even reduce the requirement further, but fiscal conservatives were able to table that measure. When the floor debate began, leaders of the Fiscal right and the House Democrats rallied together. Only fetgatter, himself, would dare to be seen or heard on the floor, in defense of his scheme. But when the votes began to tally, the tax-grabbers stalled at 48 of the 51 they needed. Then they pressured a few weak-willed members of the Republican Caucus to flip their votes to "Yea" from "Nay". Rep. Terry O'donnell from Claremore avoided voting altogether, but was finally caught and compelled to the Speaker's wishes. Rep. Ryan Martinez of Edmond completely flipped in the last few seconds. then Rep. Michael Rogers completely broke his promises to his constituents and voted as the Speaker directed him to. |  |
At the close of the vote, the House Republican Caucus called a meeting and the session was suspended. At this hour we await the next shoe to drop. There will be a vote on a multi-year teacher pay increase (I predict), and other divisive and destructive actions taken.
At this point it looks less likely that Charles McCall will be the Speaker, next January. Possibly even sooner.
At this point it looks less likely that Charles McCall will be the Speaker, next January. Possibly even sooner.
