Blackwell Tries To Explain Vote For Phillips Bill
House Speaker Pro Tem Gus Blackwell, one of four House Republicans who seek the position of speaker following Lance Cargill's resignation, faces questions about a controversial vote he cast in a committee meeting last session.
The vote came on a measure sought by the interests of Gene Phillips, controversial Dallas businessman. Even though Blackwell is not a member of the committee that approved the measure, he attended the committee meeting as a House leader and voted for it.
Some GOP members find that troubling and one said, "Frankly, I haven't heard any explanation from Gus that I buy."
The controversial vote is highlighted in a Tulsa World article today by Capitol Correspondent Mick Hinton. Here's the relevant part of Hinton's article:
(House Minority Leader Danny) Morgan also said Democrats were “obviously disappointed” that Blackwell has not addressed a trip he made in December to the home of a controversial fundraiser.
Blackwell was among a group of Republican lawmakers who were criticized for accompanying Cargill to a fundraiser at the home of Gene Phillips, a controversial Texas businessman.
The fundraiser was being held for presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, and the Republican lawmakers said they attended because it was a chance to see a candidate who might be elected president.
A lobbyist (for Phillips) leased a bus in December and took the Republican lawmakers to the fundraiser.
Phillips, whose family has several insurance companies held in trust, has been connected to former Oklahoma Democratic Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher, who is now in prison. Fisher allegedly accepted a $25,000 gift and office furnishings from Phillips.
Phillips’ son Bradford Phillips worked with the Republican House leaders last session to win passage in committee of amendments to a bill that aided insurance companies.
Blackwell exercised his right as speaker pro tem to come into the committee meeting and vote for the amendments. The amendments were strongly opposed by state Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland. Because of news stories, House leaders decided not to hear the bill on the House floor last session.
Responding Wednesday to a question from Morgan about the fundraising trip, Blackwell said, “In hindsight, with all the publicity, no, I wouldn’t have gotten on the bus.”
Others seeking the speaker's post are Dale DeWitt, Susan Winchester and John Wright. Some members of the House committee that approved the measure have confirmed that they received campaign donations from Bradford Phillips late last year and returned them.
The vote came on a measure sought by the interests of Gene Phillips, controversial Dallas businessman. Even though Blackwell is not a member of the committee that approved the measure, he attended the committee meeting as a House leader and voted for it.
Some GOP members find that troubling and one said, "Frankly, I haven't heard any explanation from Gus that I buy."
The controversial vote is highlighted in a Tulsa World article today by Capitol Correspondent Mick Hinton. Here's the relevant part of Hinton's article:
(House Minority Leader Danny) Morgan also said Democrats were “obviously disappointed” that Blackwell has not addressed a trip he made in December to the home of a controversial fundraiser.
Blackwell was among a group of Republican lawmakers who were criticized for accompanying Cargill to a fundraiser at the home of Gene Phillips, a controversial Texas businessman.
The fundraiser was being held for presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, and the Republican lawmakers said they attended because it was a chance to see a candidate who might be elected president.
A lobbyist (for Phillips) leased a bus in December and took the Republican lawmakers to the fundraiser.
Phillips, whose family has several insurance companies held in trust, has been connected to former Oklahoma Democratic Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher, who is now in prison. Fisher allegedly accepted a $25,000 gift and office furnishings from Phillips.
Phillips’ son Bradford Phillips worked with the Republican House leaders last session to win passage in committee of amendments to a bill that aided insurance companies.
Blackwell exercised his right as speaker pro tem to come into the committee meeting and vote for the amendments. The amendments were strongly opposed by state Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland. Because of news stories, House leaders decided not to hear the bill on the House floor last session.
Responding Wednesday to a question from Morgan about the fundraising trip, Blackwell said, “In hindsight, with all the publicity, no, I wouldn’t have gotten on the bus.”
Others seeking the speaker's post are Dale DeWitt, Susan Winchester and John Wright. Some members of the House committee that approved the measure have confirmed that they received campaign donations from Bradford Phillips late last year and returned them.
Labels: Dale DeWitt, Gus Blackwell, John Wright, Susan Winchester
posted by Mike McCarville @ 9:26 AM
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