'A Better Way Oklahoma' Faults State's New Immigration Law, Hints Battle To Change It Ahead; Town Hall Meetings Planned
A group calling itself "A Better Way Oklahoma" appears ready to launch an all-out attack on the state's new immigration law that began life as Rep. Randy Terrill's House Bill 1804.
Word of the group's formation came today in an interview in The Oklahoman in which Tom Price Jr., senior vice president of corporate development for Chesapeake Energy, discusses the new law. The thrust of the article is that Leadership Oklahoma City alumni invited Terrill and others to a Wednesday debate on the bill, but none "were able to participate."
Purpose of the luncheon, it was reported, was to examine 1804 and "give its supporters an opportunity to clarify some aspects of the bill."
It was apparent at the luncheon, the newspaper reports, that "some within the city's business community are ready to publicly oppose the statute."
That's no surprise; in February, The State Chamber, U. S. Chamber of Commerce and others filed a lawsuit that claims the law puts unfair and unreasonable burdens on Oklahoma employers and there have been rumblings that a group like A Better Way Oklahoma was being formed with "millions" in donations from prominent business leaders who agree with Price that something should be done about the law.
U. S. Senator Jim Inhofe, among those pushing for new federal laws on immigration, said he believes those behind the group should wait. "If I were to send a message to those business leaders, I'd say at least give us a chance," he said of efforts at the federal level.
"Randy (Terrill) has shown us one way of dealing with this crisis," Price said. "But unfortunately, this is like a classroom and the wrong guy raised his hand to answer the question."
Price said the group will sponsor town hall meetings across the state to "assess citizen input and concerns." The Oklahoma Political News Service has additional information on the controversy. KTOK talk show host and blogger Mark Shannon has thoughts on the group as well.
Word of the group's formation came today in an interview in The Oklahoman in which Tom Price Jr., senior vice president of corporate development for Chesapeake Energy, discusses the new law. The thrust of the article is that Leadership Oklahoma City alumni invited Terrill and others to a Wednesday debate on the bill, but none "were able to participate."
Purpose of the luncheon, it was reported, was to examine 1804 and "give its supporters an opportunity to clarify some aspects of the bill."
It was apparent at the luncheon, the newspaper reports, that "some within the city's business community are ready to publicly oppose the statute."
That's no surprise; in February, The State Chamber, U. S. Chamber of Commerce and others filed a lawsuit that claims the law puts unfair and unreasonable burdens on Oklahoma employers and there have been rumblings that a group like A Better Way Oklahoma was being formed with "millions" in donations from prominent business leaders who agree with Price that something should be done about the law.
U. S. Senator Jim Inhofe, among those pushing for new federal laws on immigration, said he believes those behind the group should wait. "If I were to send a message to those business leaders, I'd say at least give us a chance," he said of efforts at the federal level.
"Randy (Terrill) has shown us one way of dealing with this crisis," Price said. "But unfortunately, this is like a classroom and the wrong guy raised his hand to answer the question."
Price said the group will sponsor town hall meetings across the state to "assess citizen input and concerns." The Oklahoma Political News Service has additional information on the controversy. KTOK talk show host and blogger Mark Shannon has thoughts on the group as well.
Labels: A Better Way Oklahoma, HB1804, Immigration Law, Randy Terrill, The State Chamber, Tom Price Jr.
posted by Mike McCarville @ 10:19 AM
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