Senate Democrats again avoid up-or-down vote on workers’ comp reform

Democrats violate State Constitution

In flagrant disregard of the Oklahoma Constitution, Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan ignored Lt. Gov Mary Fallin’s presence in the presiding officer’s chair of the Oklahoma Senate Monday.

“Monday afternoon Senate Democrats again refused to vote on a real and meaningful workers’ compensation reform bill, which if passed would be a landmark job creation measure,” Fallin stated.

“By ignoring today’s quorum call, Senate Democrats again demonstrated their allegiance to trial lawyers over the concerns of Oklahoma workers and small businesses,” stated Fallin.

“It is unconscionable for Senate Democrats to put hard-working state employees in the middle of this policy battle by ordering them to leave their positions on the Senate floor and shutting down equipment so no Senate business could take place,” stated Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.

“This is an indication of the lengths that Democrats will go to protect their trial lawyer friends and avoid an up-or-down vote on real workers’ comp reform,” Coffee said.

The Oklahoma Constitution clearly names the Lieutenant Governor as “the president of the senate,” and says that the duty of the president pro tempore is to preside over the Senate “in the absence or in place of the Lieutenant Governor.”