For Immediate Release: May 4, 2009

Senate Review by Senator Bill Brown

With just three weeks remaining in this year’s legislative session, conference committees are continuing to meet as members try to reach compromise on legislation.  Budget negotiations have also begun.

This past week, the Senate leadership announced the 23 members of the General Conference Committee on Appropriations (GCCA).  The GCCA is a committee made up of members from both chambers who essentially write the final budget for the Legislature.  Each year, this committee is convened, after both houses have passed appropriations bills, in order to resolve any differences between the two chambers and to submit, if necessary, compromise versions of the appropriations bills.  With the tremendous budget shortfall we’re facing this year, we’re going to have some difficult decisions ahead of us.

I’ll keep you posted as developments are made on the budget.

The Governor this week singed two of my measures into law.  Senate Bill 1206 modifies the Interstate Mutual Aid Compact to allow the Tulsa County Health Department the same liabilities and protections given to other municipalities in the event of a natural disaster or outbreak.  House Bill 1864 will change a school year from 180 days to 1080 hours.  The amount of time spent in the classroom will remain the same, but the new law will provide school districts with the flexibility to save up time in anticipation for snow days, and could result in administrative cost savings in many districts.

Unfortunately, the Governor this year has made liberal use of his veto pen to position himself as chief obstructionist to the Legislature.  That was the case this week for House Bill 1975, my measure which would have required any health insurance policy mandates brought forth in the Legislature to provide fiscal impact statements.  The measure would have ensured that the Legislature and the public get honest answers regarding the potential costs of any such legislation.  I’m disappointed the Governor has chosen to veto the bill, and I’ll continue working to enact this reform.

The Governor also vetoed a measure that would have provided greater transparency and accountability in public education.  In order for us to improve the level of educational opportunities available to our students, we need to guarantee increased transparency in testing assessments and education data.

It’s unfortunate that the Governor has stood in the way of these common-sense reforms.  We still have opportunities to enact meaningful legislation to move our state forward, but we must agree that the status quo isn’t good enough for Oklahoma’s future.

As always, I welcome your comments on state government.  Please feel free to contact me by writing to Senator Bill Brown at the State Capitol, Room 413A, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105; call me at (405) 521-5602.