'SOONER, RATHER THAN LATER' --
OKLAHOMA LEADERS ASK PRESIDENT PRO-TEM TO SCHEDULE FLOOR VOTES
 
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Today, 20 Oklahomans active in public policy, social issues or business asked the leader of the state Senate to assure that six key legislative proposals are considered "sooner, rather than later."
 
The group included Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin, Labor Commissioner Brenda Reneau, and Corporation Commissioners Denise Bode and Jeff Cloud. Mark Nichols of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, and Michael L. Jestes of the Oklahoma Family Policy Council joined the letter. Also signing were businessmen Tom Hill, Greg Love and Frank McPherson.
 
The measures include proposals to eliminate Oklahoma's inheritance tax, also known as the death tax, to reduce the top income tax rate, allow voters to consider a limitation on state government spending, provide incentives to boost oil refining capacity, allow mentor teachers to serve in schools independently of input from the bargaining agent, and pro-life provisions.
 
The request came in a letter delivered this morning to Senator Mike Morgan, President Pro Tempore of the state Senate.
 
The document began, "We the undersigned Oklahomans respectfully request that you schedule for floor consideration" what the group considers "key legislative proposals." The signers said they believed "consideration of these proposals is important to the well-being of the people of Oklahoma."
 
The document was circulated in recent days by Mike Osburn of Americans for Prosperity, Oklahoma Chapter. "It was encouraging to get this positive response from so many of our state leaders in policy, service, business and the grass roots," Osburn said. "If additional names are gathered soon, we will forward those to Senator Morgan and make the larger list available to the public," Osburn said.
 
The 20 Oklahoma leaders said in their joint letter, "There is no reason to wait another year before acting on these important reforms. Win or lose, we ask the Senate to consider these issues sooner, rather than later."
 
EDITORS AND REPORTERS: The text of the letter and list of all the signers is posted below.  
 
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May 2, 2006       
 
The Honorable Mike Morgan
President Pro Tempore
State Senate of Oklahoma
 
Dear Senator Morgan:
 
We the undersigned Oklahomans respectfully request that you schedule for floor consideration in the state Senate key legislative proposals in several areas as detailed below. While some among us may disagree on particular legislation, we believe consideration of these proposals is important to the well-being of the people of Oklahoma. There is no reason to wait another year before acting on these important reforms. Win or lose, we ask the Senate to consider these issues sooner, rather than later.
 
These measures include: SB 334, to eliminate the death tax and provide relief to thousands of businesses and family farmers; SB 2022 to reduce the top income tax rate from 6.25% to 4.9%; SJR 53, a new spending limitation on Oklahoma government which would require voter approval; the Oklahoma Refinery Revitalization Act, providing incentives to boost the state's refining capacity; to improve the quality of education for Oklahoma's children, retain language in SB 1644 to allow mentoring teachers to serve independently of input from the bargaining agent; and SB 1742, pro-life measures to protect the most vulnerable among us.
 
Sincerely,
 
Mary Fallin
Lieutenant Governor
 
Brenda Reneau                
Commissioner of Labor
 
Denise Bode
Corporation Commissioner
 
Jeff Cloud
Corporation Commissioner
 
Mark Nichols
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
 
Mike Osburn
Americans for Prosperity, Oklahoma Chapter

Michael L. Jestes
Oklahoma Family Policy Council

Ginger Tinney
Association of Professional Oklahoma Educators

Bunny Chambers
Oklahoma Eagle Forum
 
Richard Engle
President, Assembly Education Fund
 
Carol N. Gordon
Heart Menders International, Inc.
 
Frank McPherson
Chairman and CEO (Retired)
Kerr McGee Corporation

Tom Hill
Kimray, Inc.
 
Greg Love
President and COO
Love's Development Companies
 
Charlie Meadows
Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee
 
Gwendolyn Poteat
H.O.P.E. Family Life Center
 
Tim Gillespie
Oklahoma Freedom Works
 
Chris Smith
Oklahoma Center for Law & Policy
 
Paul Sublett, General Manager
KQCV AM & FM, Bott Radio Network
Member, Oklahoma Pro-Life Media Coalition
 
David M. Williams
Christian Educators Association, International
 
Titles and Organizational Affiliations for Purposes of Identification Only