Legislature Overrides Henry's Vetoes of Pro-Life Legislation

The Oklahoma Legislature has overridden Gov. Brad Henry's veto on two pieces of pro-life legislation.

The bills that were vetoed:

• House Bill 2780, by state Rep. Lisa Billy, requires that doctors provide women information obtained from an ultrasound prior to performing an abortion.
• House Bill 2656, by state Rep. Dan Sullivan, makes it illegal to sue a doctor claiming "wrongful birth" because the doctor failed to convince the mother to abort a child.

The House voted yesterday to override; the tally was 81-14 (HB2790) and 84-12 (HB 2656) in favor. The Senate voted this morning, with both bills receiving a vote of 36-12.
House voted 81-14 to override the governor’s veto, which was above the three-fourths vote required.

Here is how the Muskogee-area legislators voted (click for larger view).



Rep. Jerry McPeak was the ONLY local legislator to vote against the veto override. Kudos to State Reps. Mike Brown, Ed Cannaday, George Faught, Wade Rousselot and State Sen. Earl Garrison for standing up for LIFE.

Official English Passes House

House Joint Resolution 1042 passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives yesterday by a vote of 66-32.

11 Democrats crossed party lines, and voted for the measure (they were as follows: Neil Brannon, Joe Dorman, Rebecca Hamilton, Scott Inman, Lucky Lamons, Ryan McMullen, Richard Morrissette, Eric Proctor, R.C. Pruett, Jerry Shoemake, and Purcy Walker). Three Republicans representatives voted against the resolution: Lisa Billy, Shane Jett, and Dan Sullivan.

Of the area representatives, Democrat Reps. Mike Brown, Ed Cannaday, Jerry McPeak and Wade Rousselot voted against it, and Republican Rep. George Faught voted for it. Faught also co-authored the HJR, and authored similar legislation in 2007 and 2008.

You can listen to the presentation and debate on HJR 1042 here.

Session Begins

Yesterday, the first session of the 52nd Legislature began. It looks to be an interesting session, this being the first time the Republican Party controls both the House and the Senate.

And to kick things off, this afternoon the Economic Development & Financial Services Committee will take up two bills related to Autism. House Bill 2027, by Rep. Kris Steele (R, Shawnee), and House Bill 1312, by Rep. Mike Brown (D, Tahlequah), will be heard at 4:30pm today in Room 412C at the State Capitol. HB1312 is also known as Nick's Law. Word from the Capitol is that it will be a very interesting meeting, not unlike the Autism bill hearing last session.

Area State Reps Committee Assignments

House Speaker Chris Benge (R, Tulsa) announced the committee assignments for the 2009-2010 session of the Oklahoma State House of Representatives today. The following are the committee assignments for the Muskogee-area State Representatives.

State Rep. George Faught (R, Muskogee):

Administrative Rules and Agency Oversight Committee - Vice Chair
Business & Economic Development Committee
Government Modernization Committee
Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Health and Social Services

State Rep. Mike Brown (D, Tahlequah):

Administrative Rules and Agency Oversight Committee
Higher Education & Career Tech Committee
Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and Transportation

State Rep. Jerry McPeak (D, Warner):

Energy & Utility Regulation Committee
International Relations & Tourism Committee
Appropriations Subcommittee on Revenue & Taxation


State Rep. Ed Cannaday (D, Porum):

Common Education Committee
Public Health Committee
Appropriations Subcommittee on Education


State Rep. Wade Rousselot (D, Wagoner):

Human Services Committee - Vice Chair
Energy & Utility Regulation Committee
Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services

Muskogee-Area Reps Gain Leadership Positions

With today's announcement of the Democratic Party leadership in the State House, along with House Speaker Benge's announcement last week of the new Republican leadership, three Muskogee-area State Representatives have made leadership positions.


State Rep. George Faught (R, Muskogee) was named one of eight Assistant Majority Floor Leaders. The Republican Party extended their lead in the state house, after gaining control in 2004. In 2006, Rep. Faught became the first Republican in state history to win the House District 14 seat.

State Rep. Mike Brown (D, Tahlequah) will be the Minority Floor Leader for the 52nd Legislature. Rep. Brown has represented House District 4 since 2004.

State Rep. Jerry McPeak (D, Warner) was selected to be one of two Deputy Minority Floor Leaders. Rep. McPeak has held the House District 13 seat since 2004.


State Rep. Wade Rousselot (D, Wagoner) was appointed as one of five Assistant Minority Floor Leaders. Rep. Rousselot has represented House District 12 since 2004.