Price Outlines 'A Better Way Oklahoma' Goals
By Barbara Hoberock, Tulsa World ~ A top official with Chesapeake Energy Corp. on Thursday confirmed that an effort is being organized to address the “unintended consequences” of a controversial state immigration law passed last session.
Tom Price, Chesapeake Energy senior vice president of corporate development, said the group A Better Way Oklahoma is forming plans and refining strategies for a “potential public education initiative” regarding House Bill 1804.
Price declined a request for an interview but issued a statement regarding A Better Way Oklahoma.
“There has been a lot of discussion from a number of circles in Oklahoma about the unintended social, economic and cultural consequences of House Bill 1804,” Price said in the statement.
HB 1804 by Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, makes it a felony to knowingly transport illegal immigrants, creates state barriers to hiring illegal workers and requires proof of citizenship to receive certain government benefits. After July 1, it requires state contractors to check the immigration status of workers.
Price said a number of organizations and corporations have been discussing concerns about the law that went into effect last November.
“What we are now seeing is the coalescing of religious, cultural, educational, business concerns and others across this state behind the shared goal of constructively and collaboratively working with the Legislature and our governor to address these unintended consequences,” Price said. “At this point, we are formulating our plans and refining our strategies for a potential public education initiative.”
It was not immediately clear what groups are supporting A Better Way Oklahoma.
Lawmakers have said they doubt any changes to the law will be made.
Last year, the State Chamber of Commerce was initially opposed to the bill, said Mike Seney, chamber senior vice president of operations. The State Chamber has joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in filing suit against the bill.
“We were opposed to it at first,” Seney said. “We were able to get amendments put on it in the Senate and we were neutral on the bill.”
Terrill said business groups were actively engaged in negotiations on the measure.
“In fact, they helped craft some of the language they apparently now find unacceptable and are challenging in court,” Terrill said. “That is either the definition of irony or bad faith, I’m not sure.”
Price said it was believed that the federal government would address the issue of illegal immigration last year, but those attempts failed.
“The prior lack of action on the federal level was what prompted state legislators to take matters into their own hands,” Price said. “Thankfully, our Legislature opted to delay the enactment of the private component of the law until July 1 of this year, giving time for a thorough review. Upon review of the unintended consequences, a growing number of groups believe it would be prudent to reassess the law.”
Measures by Sen. Harry Coates, R-Seminole, aimed at repealing portions of the law failed to get out of a Senate committee this session.
“It appears any opportunity for repeal of sections of House Bill 1804 may have evaporated,” Coates said.
Terrill said complaints about the bill are premature, adding that the private employment provisions haven’t taken effect. “No representatives from this coalition have visited with me to discuss any specific problems stemming from House Bill 1804,” Terrill said. He said the measure is being monitored to ensure it is not overly burdensome or unworkable. He said if any problems are identified, he would be willing to listen and take steps to address the issues, “as long as the fixes are consistent with the original intent and purpose behind House Bill 1804.” Terrill said the majority of Oklahomans support the law and want it strengthened.
“House Bill 1804 is working,” Terrill said. “It is saving taxpayer’s money. It is also causing illegal aliens to leave Oklahoma and that was its intended purpose.”
Tom Price, Chesapeake Energy senior vice president of corporate development, said the group A Better Way Oklahoma is forming plans and refining strategies for a “potential public education initiative” regarding House Bill 1804.
Price declined a request for an interview but issued a statement regarding A Better Way Oklahoma.
“There has been a lot of discussion from a number of circles in Oklahoma about the unintended social, economic and cultural consequences of House Bill 1804,” Price said in the statement.
HB 1804 by Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, makes it a felony to knowingly transport illegal immigrants, creates state barriers to hiring illegal workers and requires proof of citizenship to receive certain government benefits. After July 1, it requires state contractors to check the immigration status of workers.
Price said a number of organizations and corporations have been discussing concerns about the law that went into effect last November.
“What we are now seeing is the coalescing of religious, cultural, educational, business concerns and others across this state behind the shared goal of constructively and collaboratively working with the Legislature and our governor to address these unintended consequences,” Price said. “At this point, we are formulating our plans and refining our strategies for a potential public education initiative.”
It was not immediately clear what groups are supporting A Better Way Oklahoma.
Lawmakers have said they doubt any changes to the law will be made.
Last year, the State Chamber of Commerce was initially opposed to the bill, said Mike Seney, chamber senior vice president of operations. The State Chamber has joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in filing suit against the bill.
“We were opposed to it at first,” Seney said. “We were able to get amendments put on it in the Senate and we were neutral on the bill.”
Terrill said business groups were actively engaged in negotiations on the measure.
“In fact, they helped craft some of the language they apparently now find unacceptable and are challenging in court,” Terrill said. “That is either the definition of irony or bad faith, I’m not sure.”
Price said it was believed that the federal government would address the issue of illegal immigration last year, but those attempts failed.
“The prior lack of action on the federal level was what prompted state legislators to take matters into their own hands,” Price said. “Thankfully, our Legislature opted to delay the enactment of the private component of the law until July 1 of this year, giving time for a thorough review. Upon review of the unintended consequences, a growing number of groups believe it would be prudent to reassess the law.”
Measures by Sen. Harry Coates, R-Seminole, aimed at repealing portions of the law failed to get out of a Senate committee this session.
“It appears any opportunity for repeal of sections of House Bill 1804 may have evaporated,” Coates said.
Terrill said complaints about the bill are premature, adding that the private employment provisions haven’t taken effect. “No representatives from this coalition have visited with me to discuss any specific problems stemming from House Bill 1804,” Terrill said. He said the measure is being monitored to ensure it is not overly burdensome or unworkable. He said if any problems are identified, he would be willing to listen and take steps to address the issues, “as long as the fixes are consistent with the original intent and purpose behind House Bill 1804.” Terrill said the majority of Oklahomans support the law and want it strengthened.
“House Bill 1804 is working,” Terrill said. “It is saving taxpayer’s money. It is also causing illegal aliens to leave Oklahoma and that was its intended purpose.”
Labels: A Better Way Oklahoma, Harry Coates, Mike Seney, Randy Terrill, Tom Price Jr.
posted by Mike McCarville @ 8:50 AM
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