Full Senate approves proposed state question on repealing Oklahoma’s Blaine Amendment

SUBMITTED

The full Senate has approved legislation allowing Oklahoma voters to decide whether to repeal Article II, Section 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution, known as the “Blaine Amendment,” forbidding the use of public monies or property for sectarian or religious purposes. It was cited by the majority of the Oklahoma Supreme Courting in a 2015 ruling that forced the removal of a Ten Commandments Monument from the grounds of the Capitol. 

Morgan’s Relax Packs are handcrafted heat packs designed for maximum muscle relief at affordable pricing.

 Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, is the author of Senate Joint Resolution 72.

“The Blaine amendment represented an effort to suppress Catholic education while allowing state funding of protestant-oriented schools. Many Oklahomans felt the amendment never should have applied to the Ten Commandments Monument case, and have expressed dismay such a discriminatory provision was still in our constitution,” Standridge said. “This measure will give the final say to the citizens of our state.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman praised Monday’s 39 to 5 vote in favor of SJR 72.

“The court’s recent interpretation of the Blaine Amendment could have much broader implications, including threatening millions of dollars in state aid to hospitals, child care centers and schools catering to children with special needs. It’s time for the Blaine Amendment to be repealed from the Oklahoma Constitution. I appreciate Senator Standridge’s efforts to secure passage of SJR72 to allow Oklahomans to weigh in on this important issue.” 

SJR 72 now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

Senate gives passing grade to legislation for unruly students

SUBMITTED

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation was approved late Wednesday to give local school boards an alternative to suspension and expulsion to keep unruly students in the classroom. Sen. Ron Sharp is the author of Senate Bill 911 to allow school boards to create a policy where teachers can assign community service for those students who misbehave rather than suspending or expelling them.

“Having been a teacher for 38 years, I know that suspension and expulsion only hurts a student further academically. It does nothing to address the child’s discipline problems and it typically puts the student further behind in their studies because they don’t do their work when they’re at home,” said Sharp, R-Shawnee. “We need to find an alternative that keeps students who misbehave in the classroom but still holds them accountable for their actions.  Community service is a great solution.”

Sharp worked with the Professional Oklahoma Educators (POE); the American Federation of Teachers (AFT); and the Oklahoma Education Association (OEA) in drafting the legislation.
SB 911 would allow local boards of education to have the option of adopting a system that requires students to perform community service for violating the district’s behavioral policy.  
The measure passed 32-13 with those opposed raising concerns about students doing community service as a punishment. Sharp noted that good students who do not misbehave are required to do community service for many things.

“I was puzzled by some of the debate against this bill. Good, responsible students are required to do community service for the Boy/Girls Scouts and other community organizations as well as to apply for scholarships and other awards. Many do community service simply because they want to help others and be involved in their communities,” said Sharp. “I was disappointed in the debate suggesting that making unruly students do community service was somehow ‘child labor’ or a sign of ‘criminal behavior’.  Educators simply want an alternative to keep these students in the classroom while teaching them respect and to take responsibility for their actions. They’re obviously not learning how to follow the rules at home and when they’re adults if they don’t follow the rules, they’ll be facing more serious consequences than community service.”

The bill now moves to the House for further consideration. 

Senate approves tax refund donation for indigent veteran burials

SUBMITTED

OKLAHOMA CITY – There are currently estimated to be over 300 homeless veterans in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association says that statewide they bury approximately 25 indigent veterans each year and absorb the costs of the funerals. On Wednesday, the Senate unanimously approved Senate 1134, by Sen. Frank Simpson, which would provide a funding mechanism for the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs’ (ODVA) Indigent Veteran Burial Program. 

“Our veterans served our nation honorably, sacrificing of themselves to help others. The least we can do as a society is to ensure that they are honorably laid to rest with dignity,” said Simpson, R-Springer. “This bill will allow citizens and businesses to donate a portion or all of their income refund to this burial program to help our indigent veterans.”

Under SB 1134, each state individual income tax return form and each state corporate tax return form for tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2016, would contain a provision to allow a donation from a tax refund for the benefit of ODVA’s Indigent Veteran Burial Program. A revolving fund would be created in the State Treasury for the program. 

The measure would also allow donations to be received from private individuals, veteran’s organizations, charitable groups and any other entities wishing to make donations directly to the fund.

The ODVA would be able to use the funds to reimburse cemeteries or funeral homes for costs associated with burying indigent veterans. 

SB 1134 is a companion bill to SB 398, which was introduced last session and is awaiting further consideration in the General Conference Committee on Appropriations. SB 398 seeks to create the Indigent Veteran Burial Program.

SB 1134 will next be heard in the House. 

Bill to create “guilty but with mental defect” verdict heads to House

OKLAHOMA CITY – On Tuesday, the Senate gave unanimous approval to a measure to modify the “not guilty by reason of insanity” (NGRI) defense in Oklahoma.  Sen. Ron Sharp said Senate Bill 1214 would add a “guilty but with mental defect” defense for those individuals who are found guilty with a mental illness but who also have an antisocial personality disorder. 

“The not guilty by reason of insanity defense was created for those who are not mentally capable of understanding their actions but now we have people who commit violent crimes trying to use this defense even when the crime was premeditated,” said Sharp, R-Shawnee.  “The law needs to be modified to take into account those who suffer from a mental illness but are still mentally capable of understanding their actions.  They need to be held accountable.”

SB 1214 would provide that anyone who has an antisocial personality disorder and is found guilty with a mental illness cannot use the NGRI plea and must complete the sentence for the crime.  The bill creates the guilty with mental defect and not guilty by reason of mental illness pleas.

Under the legislation, a plea of guilty with mental defect would result in the same sentence that could be imposed on another person convicted of the same crime.  Those found guilty with mental defect would be required to be examined by the state Department of Mental Health with a recommendation to be made within 45 days. 

The bill was requested by Pottawatomie County District Attorney, Richard Smothermon in response to the 2012 murder case involving Jerrod Murray.  Murray kidnapped fellow East Central University student, Generro Sanchez, and shot him multiple times.  Murray confessed, with no emotion or remorse, to the murder saying he just wanted to see what it felt like to kill someone.  He was charged with murder but, under Oklahoma law, found not guilty by reason of insanity.  He was then sentenced to imprisonment in the Oklahoma Forensic Center until such time that he is found to not be a danger to himself or others.

“This bill targets the most dangerous criminals who have mental illnesses but will never be cured by treatment; the ones that kill just to kill or hurt others because they get pleasure from it,” said Smothermon.  “This bill would allow a jury to send these criminals to prison rather than a mental hospital, which is where they deserve to be.”

Smothermon and Sanchez’ mother, Jeana West, were in the Senate gallery to listen to the debate on SB 1214.

The bill will now go to the House for further consideration. 

Senate approves National Guard conceal carry legislation

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 913 Tuesday to ensure Oklahoma’s Army and Air National Guard personnel can protect themselves and others while on the job. The bill, by Sen. Frank Simpson, would allow such authorized veterans to carry loaded or unloaded concealed weapons at Oklahoma Military Department facilities.

“The threats against our brave military men and women don’t stop when they return home from active duty abroad. Our enemies desire to attack us here, and our Guard and military personnel are high-profile targets,” said Simpson, R-Springer. “We’ve seen all too often military personnel attacked at recruiting stations and even military bases and facilities. It makes sense for us to allow our Guard members, who are highly trained in the use of weaponry, to carry firearms so that they can protect themselves and others in emergency situations. I appreciate my Senate colleagues for unanimously supporting this measure.”

There have been eight attacks at military facilities across the nation since 2009. In July 2015, a terrorist killed four Marines and injured several others at a military recruiting center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Following that incident, Gov. Fallin issued an executive order in July to allow authorized military personnel to carry concealed weapons. SB 913 will make that executive order permanent in state statute. The Oklahoma National Guard Adjutant General will establish guidelines for the implementation of the legislation.

SB 913 now moves to the House for further consideration.

“American Ninja Warrior” coming to Oklahoma State Capitol

Sen. David Holt, the Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau, Gov. Mary Fallin, Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, and House Speaker Jeff Hickman announced today that “American Ninja Warrior” is coming to Oklahoma for the first time and will shoot on the south plaza of the Oklahoma State Capitol.

The Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services has approved a request by the producers of the hit NBC television show to shoot at the Capitol from May 6 to 17. The approval of the application represents the culmination of a months-long recruiting effort led by the Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau, with critical support from Holt, Fallin, Bingman, Hickman, Lt. Governor Todd Lamb, the Film and Music Office, the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, and the Department of Public Safety.

“American Ninja Warrior” is an obstacle course competition show that is entering its eighth season on NBC with rebroadcasts on the Esquire Network. It is one of the highest-rated family shows on television. As part of its format, different cities each season serve as hosts for “city finals.” Oklahoma has never been the site of a “city final.” Serving as a host city leads to a direct economic impact from the influx of crew members, participants and fans. It leads to an indirect economic impact through the positive exposure for the city and state throughout the “American Ninja Warrior” season. In this unique instance, the shoot will also highlight Oklahoma’s State Capitol as it undergoes renovations and prepares for its centennial.

“It’s exciting that Oklahoma, and especially our state Capitol, will be showcased on ‘American Ninja Warrior,’” Fallin said. “This will allow viewers to get a glimpse of all the impressive things that are going on in Oklahoma City.”

“I think this is great. ’American Ninja Warrior’ is a popular, long-running prime-time show on a major network. It’s fun to watch,” Bingman said. “I think it’s very positive for Oklahoma and we’re looking forward to having the show here at the Capitol."

"We have been working to preserve our beautiful Capitol building which is a treasured gift from previous generation of Oklahomans,” Hickman said. “This national focus on our state, our capital city and the Capitol building will introduce millions more Americans to this special place we call Oklahoma."

“We are so excited and honored to be selected as an ‘American Ninja Warrior’ city for season eight,” said Sue Hollenbeck, Director of Sports Business for the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau.  “Having a national TV shoot in Oklahoma City is not only a significant economic impact, but this is a great opportunity to show off our amazing state and specifically, our beautiful Capitol building. We are looking forward to working with the incredible production company and NBC to make this the best ‘American Ninja Warrior’ yet!”

“This past summer, my kids were obsessed with ‘American Ninja Warrior’, and I wondered at the time how we might someday get it to Oklahoma,” Holt said.   “Little did I know that the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau was already hard at work.   When they came to me last year seeking assistance at the Capitol, I was thrilled to help, and I commend all the state leaders and entities that also rose to the occasion.   The arrival of ‘American Ninja Warrior’ will present a fantastic opportunity to highlight our city, our state, and our Capitol.”