Peterson's Committee Conduct Examined

The Tulsa World's Mick Hinton today explores the anger demonstrated by House Democrats last week with their walkout, and the reasons behind it. Broken Arrow Republican Ron Peterson (pictured) has emerged as the primary sore point, as Hinton writes, "The walkout followed Wednesday's refusal by Rep. Ron Peterson, R-Broken Arrow, to allow Democratic members to ask why his committee would not let parents speak in a public meeting on an amendment to extend insurance coverage to children with autism.

"Peterson, a former insurance agent, had announced at the beginning of the committee meeting that when bills came up, each side would be allowed two minutes of discussion. But when it came time to hear a bill that could have been amended to contain the insurance coverage for autism, a Republican member moved that the panel refuse any amendments and vote on the bill. Democrats shouted that they had questions. But the vote continued.

"Peterson had come under criticism earlier in the week when supporters of a bill dubbed 'Steffanie's Law' sought a hearing to force insurers to continue coverage in cases in which a person undergoes clinical trials, often in a last-ditch effort. Peterson told senators that their bills would not be heard because he is concerned that passing more bills containing insurance mandates will raise coverage costs for everyone and freeze out some people who can no longer afford health insurance.

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