| A strong & deep rift has emerged in the Oklahoma House Republican Caucus. Many conservatives have given up even attending, anymore. Perhaps the most clear indicator of political philosophy was presented for a floor vote last Thursday. Without warning, the leadership called up a resolution to see if the people of Oklahoma will be willing to give up a constitutional protection against a runaway legislature confiscating more taxes than ever before. When Rep. Scott Fetgatter presented his idea, he immediately added an unknown amendment to make it even more severe than his colleagues were aware of. He wants to make it possible that little more than a simple majority of each chamber (60%) could pass a tax package of over $1 Billion dollars (Like Gov. Fallin tried to do, last year). Rep. Jason Murphey successfully tabled that surprise amendment, but the version Fetgatter pressed to a vote was a 67% threshold for denying the people of their constitutional right to a vote on losing more from their paychecks. A full roster of Conservatives joined with the Democrat leaders to object to the recall idea. Only Fetgatter himself would defend the House leadership's plot. |  The purple districts are held by those seeking to recall a constitutional right known as State Question 640 (passed by the people in 1992) The Red districts are held by those committed to protecting voters' constitutional protections against massive taxes. The districts in green either didn't vote or were held by Democrat Representatives. |
Almost all the Speaker's liberal Republican allies left the room during debate. But as soon as Fetgatter's time ran out, the doors opened and the flood of RINO's came in to vote and pressure others to do the Speaker's will.
Despite the presiding officer's declaration that a result would be declared after just 2 minutes of voting, the floor leader prevailed in keeping the roll open until the Speaker's team had twisted some figurative arms and get some weak willed Republicans to change their position.
Rep. Terry O'Donnell was not voting. Rep. Michael Rogers decided early on to oppose this recall. But in the last few seconds both of them became "Yea" votes and immediately the gavel sounded. The Speaker had his way.
44 of the Republicans voted to seek the recall of a key constitutional right. 24 Republicans voted to defeat this plan. Their arguments include the central point that the legislature has not even tried to work with the voters on taxes. It only takes 51 house votes to place a tax proposal on the next statewide ballot. And then it only requires a simple majority of the voters to pass a revenue increase.
But this legislature wants to avoid the will of the people. The disrespect of the voters has enraged many Oklahomans and is fueling calls for primary challenges, just as Rep. Leslie Osborn previously called for primary challenges against those who did not support massive new taxes last month. Osborn was never reprimanded by leadership for violating the rules & decorum of the House.
Despite the presiding officer's declaration that a result would be declared after just 2 minutes of voting, the floor leader prevailed in keeping the roll open until the Speaker's team had twisted some figurative arms and get some weak willed Republicans to change their position.
Rep. Terry O'Donnell was not voting. Rep. Michael Rogers decided early on to oppose this recall. But in the last few seconds both of them became "Yea" votes and immediately the gavel sounded. The Speaker had his way.
44 of the Republicans voted to seek the recall of a key constitutional right. 24 Republicans voted to defeat this plan. Their arguments include the central point that the legislature has not even tried to work with the voters on taxes. It only takes 51 house votes to place a tax proposal on the next statewide ballot. And then it only requires a simple majority of the voters to pass a revenue increase.
But this legislature wants to avoid the will of the people. The disrespect of the voters has enraged many Oklahomans and is fueling calls for primary challenges, just as Rep. Leslie Osborn previously called for primary challenges against those who did not support massive new taxes last month. Osborn was never reprimanded by leadership for violating the rules & decorum of the House.
