GOP Leaders React To Henry's Court Veto

House Speaker Chris Benge and Rep. Dan Sullivan, both Tulsa Republicans, commented this afternoon on Governor Henry’s veto of SB 609 and the immediate Senate passage of HJR 1041, which would send the requirement of Senate confirmation of any future appointees of the state Worker’s Compensation Court to a vote of the people.

“Requiring Senate confirmation of Worker’s Compensation Court judges is a reasonable reform that adds accountability to the current system,” said Benge, R-Tulsa. “We are disappointed in Gov. Henry’s veto, but are pleased that with passage of HJR 1041 the people of Oklahoma will likely be able to decide this issue themselves.”

“Worker’s Compensation judges are the only judges in the entire state who never appear on any ballot whatsoever,” said Sullivan, R-Tulsa. “Today, Gov. Henry sided with the status quo instead of a commonsense reform that would help ensure injured workers across the state are given their day in court in front of judges that are approved by their representative government. We will not let one person defeat this reform. We believe the people deserve to have their say.”

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