Cortes To Seek HD88 Seat

Steve Cortes, former general counsel to Governor Brad Henry, has announced he'll seek the House District 88 seat held by Representative Al McAffrey, who is running for the Senate seat previously held by Andrew Rice.

Cortes is an attorney with  Riggs Abney Neal Turpen Orbison & Lewis.

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Democrat's Allegation Refuted

Rep. Al McAffrey, D-Oklahoma City, said today that, "Only weeks after pay raises for staff in the Senate President Pro Tem’s office raised a public outcry, one staffer, former legislator Fred Morgan, actually received an additional 37 percent pay increase, bringing his current salary to over $186,000."

But Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee's director of communications, Randy Swanson, said McAffrey apparently miscalculated Morgan's pay: 'They took Fred’s one-month salary and multiplied it by 12. He’s paid more during session, and less during interim. He has not gotten another raise."

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GLBT Group Endorses McAffrey, Roth

The controversial Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund has endorsed State Rep. Al McAffrey (left), Oklahoma City Democrat, and Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth (right), Democrat, the former Oklahoma County Commissioner facing his first statewide race for office.

Roth, the first openly gay public official to seek statewide election, was appointed to the Corporation Commisison seat by Governor Brad Henry when Republican Denise Bode resigned.

McAffrey is an outspoken gay rights activist who is a Navy veteran and former Oklahoma City police officer. He was elected to the House two years ago.

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Lindley Challenges Immigration Law

State Rep. Al Lindley, (pictured) D-Oklahoma City, is leading the charge to challenge the state's new immigration law. Four other lawmakers have joined his effort.

Lindley wants a legal opinion on whether the state's new immigration law is enforceable.

Lindley argues that the law requires employers to participate in a program to confirm the citizenship status of workers, yet Congress has chosen to make participation voluntary.

Attorney General Drew Edmondson will assign the letter to an assistant for review, Edmondson's spokesman, Charlie Price, said. The review could take weeks. Portions of the law go into effect on November 1st.

Joining Lindley are Reps. Bill Nations, D-Norman; Al McAffrey, D-Oklahoma City; Wallace Collins, D-Norman; and Scott BigHorse, D-Pawhuska.

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