World: Edmondson Says Burrage Has Conflict, Democratic Party Chair Agrees, Says Senator Should Abstain From Vote On Waste Bill

UPDATE: Democratic Party Chair Lisa Pryor added her criticism of Burrage in a post on the party's official website over the weekend. She wrote, "I was incensed when a State Senate Committee this week passed a measure that declared that animal waste is not hazardous. (Thank you Senator Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah, for voting no on the measure.) Let's hope SB 709 gets the boot in front of the full Senate. Let's make sure that anyone who personally benefits from or directly represents the poultry producers does the right thing and abstains from this vote on the floor. (Read about SB 709 here. )" Attorney General Drew Edmondson says that Claremore Senator Sean Burrage had a conflict of interest in voting for a bill declaring that animal waste is not hazardous.

Edmondson and Burrage are Democrats.

Newly-elected Burrage is a member of Taylor and Burrage, a Claremore law firm with Tyson Foods Inc. as a current and former client. Former Senate President Pro Tem Stratton Taylor, D-Claremore, is also a member of the firm. The Tulsa World has the full story. Burrage thus far has had little comment on the growing ethics controversy over his committee vote, nor has Senate President Co-Pro Tem Mike Morgan expressed an opinion. Burrage did say he "feels fine" about his vote even though it apparently is in violation of the Oklahoma Constitution in Edmondson's belief. It's the first time in memory that a top Democrat and the Democratic Party's chair have joined in criticising a fellow Democrat.

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