House Democrats Stay on Message

It's easy for reporters at the state Capitol to quickly tire of the "same old story." There are lawmakers whose actions any legislative observer can usually predict.
I've personally tired of the House Democrats' "it doesn't add up," "the math doesn't work," phrases. Those words have been a part of every press availability I've attended so far this session.
While I've tired of those words, they still make a certain amount of sense.
The term, "cut and starve," could be the response to "tax and spend." I'm sure there is some middle ground.
Late this afternoon, House members participated in a roast of sorts of Democratic House member Richard Morrissette. He is often on the prickly end of debates on the floor, holding feet to the fire.
The House I saw came together in support of a member they often disagree with on his bill related to elimination of the red cedar (though I've been told it's redcedar, and I haven't taken the time to check this out) scourge from Oklahoma's land.
There were impersonations, questions reflecting tough legislative debates in a playful manner, and a general camaraderie of those we elect to make our laws.
The "debate" left me wondering if the idealogical divide isn't nearly as wide as it appears.

Workers' Comp Ads on TV

The battle over changes to the state's workers' compensation system is hitting the airwaves. The Dan Davis law firm has commercials on featuring a person with an amputated leg saying his family would not have made it without workers' comp.
Legislation that would eliminate a court-based system in favor of an administrative program passed the Senate this week and is now headed to the House.
Compensation amounts for specific injuries have been reduced, the main point made in the new TV commercial. House Speaker T.W. Shannon is shepherding the legislation through his chamber and says changes are likely. Whether that will include altering the amount employees injured on the job receive isn't known.
I'm keeping a close eye on this bill and will be reporting on it regularly on KGOU.

First Bill to Governor

It appears that Chesapeake Energy's efforts to alter Oklahoma law to fit its corporate governance needs are bearing fruit. It's likely this may be the first bill Gov. Mary Fallin signs into law this legislative session. StateImpact Oklahoma's Joe Wertz reports the story.

A new corporate governance law sought by Chesapeake Energy now awaits Gov. Mary Fallin’s signature.

Final approval from the state Legislature came Wednesday. The measure — House Bill 1646, authored by Rep. Fred Jordan, R-Jenks — reverses 2010 legislation that mandated staggered elections of directors at certain public companies, a corporate governance strategy designed to prevent a boardroom takeover.

Chesapeake Energy helped write the 2010 law, which didn’t protect it from a boardroom shakeup. Chesapeake pushed to reverse the law because the energy company’s new directors — and many of its shareholders — want annual board member elections, a structure in place at most of Chesapeake’s corporate peers.

The Oklahoma City company’s new directors have threatened to reincorporate in Delaware if the law isn’t reversed.

At least two other companies, ONEOK and OG&E, were unintentionally affected by the 2010 law, a situation lawmakers remedied last year with a legislative fix.

Despite a little acrimony from Rep. Cory Williams, D-Stillwater, HB 1646 received overwhelming support from lawmakers voting in the state House and Senate.

http://stateimpact.npr.org/oklahoma/2013/02/28/chesapeake-corporate-governance-bill-sent-to-governor/