Charlie Laster Says He's Finished

Senator Charlie Laster announced that he has decided not to seek another term in the Senate.  

Although the Shawnee Democrat would not have been term limited until 2016, Laster said it was time to refocus his attention on his family and his legal career.

Laster first came to the Senate in 2003 in a special election after Brad Henry was elected governor with two years remaining in his term. Laster was elected to his first full term in 2004 and again in 2008. 

During his legislative service, Laster served on multiple committees and served in key leadership positions, including Senate Democratic Leader, Co-Floor Leader of the Senate and Judiciary chair.

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Democrats Lurch Left; Name Rice As Senate Leader

In a decided lurch to the left side of the political spectrum, the Senate Democratic caucus has chosen Andrew Rice as leader designate for the 2011-2012 legislative session.

The current Democratic Leader, Senator Charlie Laster (D-Shawnee) will continue serving as leader for the upcoming session slated to commence in February 2010, but will step down as leader after the Nov. 2010 elections. Laster has served as Democratic Floor Leader since January of 2007.

Rice, the Oklahoma Cityan who lost a U. S. Senate bid against incumbent Republican Jim Inhofe in 2008, is noted for his social activism and votes for liberal issues, including votes in favor of abortion and against tort reform.

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Senate Democrats Release Policy Agenda

Senate Democratic leaders unveiled their legislative agenda for the first session of the 52nd Oklahoma Legislature focusing on policies they said will energize Oklahoma’s economy, strengthen Oklahoma’s middle class, focus on Oklahoma’s health and build a brighter future for all Oklahomans.

“Oklahomans want access to affordable health care, they want an education system that allows their children to become all they were intended to become and they want an economy that will produce good paying jobs,” Democratic Leader Charlie Laster said.

“This legislative session, the Senate Democratic caucus will fight everyday to make our voices heard on the issues that matter most to Oklahomans and policies that will make a real difference in the lives of our people.”

Laster (D-Shawnee) pointed to policies that will help lift Oklahoma into greatness as top priority for the Senate Democratic Caucus including the following priorities: Building on Oklahoma’s strength in the energy sector to grow the economy and protect the environment; Make college education more affordable for more Oklahoma families and protect public schools from potential budget cuts; Strengthening Oklahoma’s middle class; and affordable health care that focuses on insurance reform and prevention

“Focusing on these important priorities in the upcoming session, we hope to empower more Oklahomans to make choices in their life that will lead to a brighter future for them and their families,” Laster said. “We have a responsibility to fight for policies that matter to them, rather than focus on policies that help the powerful special interests that roam these capitol halls.”

Laster said in a year when budgeting will be tight it will be more important than ever to prioritize investments that will help grow Oklahoma’s economy.

“The national economy is a train wreck and we’ve been fortunate in Oklahoma that our economy is still strong. But we know we must be pro-active in creating policies that will continue the growth we have seen in recent years,” Laster said. “That includes ensuring we are building on our strength in the energy sector to become a national leader in alternative energy technology, investing wisely in education to grow our workforce, creating policies that increase access to affordable health care to lower the number of uninsured in our state and investing in infrastructure improvements across our state to create jobs.”

Laster said in this session, when Republicans have control of the upper chamber for the first time in the history of Oklahoma, the Senate Democratic Caucus wants to work with their counterparts across the aisle to foster ideas that will move Oklahoma forward.

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Coffee Strips Laster's Committee Selections

By Mick Hinton/Capitol Bureau, Tulsa World ~ In a power play Thursday at the state Capitol, the new Republican chief of the Senate erased three key committee appointments announced just hours earlier by the minority Democrats.

President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, said the Democrats had no business announcing their appointments because they can only make recommendations to the head of the Senate.

Coffee said Sen. Charlie Laster, the Democratic leader, "knew exactly what he was doing. The Democrats are acting like they are in charge."

Laster said he was relying on tradition in the Senate for the past two decades that has allowed the minority party to make its own committee appointments. Each side said the other was getting carried away with a "power grab."

It appears that Coffee's revised appointments could prevail, because the rules have always stated that committee assignments need to be approved by the Senate, which now has 26 Republicans and 22 Democrats.

Caught in the fracas was the appointment of Sen. Tom Adelson, D-Tulsa. Laster had named Adelson to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health, but Coffee stripped Adelson's name.

"The people of Tulsa ought to be outraged that the most competent member of the Legislature on health-care issues is being denied to serve for political reasons," Laster said.

Coffee responded that Adelson should not be on the committee, questioning Adelson's efforts to make an OSU Medical Center agreement work. Adelson said Coffee's comment was curious because Coffee had been reluctant to support a recent agreement to keep the Tulsa hospital open.

Laster said Coffee's actions on the committee assignments would be comparable to the coach for the University of Florida determining the starting lineup for the Oklahoma Sooners in the upcoming BCS bowl game "and not letting quarterback Sam Bradford play."

"This is disappointing after Sen. Laster talked about bipartisanship," Coffee said, adding that, "In fact, the citizens of the state of Oklahoma handed the reins to Republicans on Nov. 4."

For the last two years, the Senate has been operating under a power-sharing agreement when the chamber was split between 24 members of each party.

Coffee also ignored Laster's appointment of Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau, to the Senate Public Safety Subcommittee. He also refused to allow Sen. Richard Lerblance, D-Hartshorne, from serving on the committees that deal with judiciary and energy.

Previously, the two Democrats had chairmanship roles on those committees. Coffee also removed a few other Democrats from a few committees, saying Laster had been allotted a certain number of slots but exceeded them.

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Senate Democrats Name Laster As Leader

Senate Democrats have named Charlie Laster as their new leader.

“Our members voted unanimously to install Charlie Laster as Democratic Senate Leader for the 52nd Legislature of Oklahoma,” said Senator Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau. “We all know Senator Laster as a man of courage, character and wisdom who will provide a voice of experience and solid leadership for our caucus.”

Laster, D-Shawnee, has served as Democratic Floor Leader of the State Senate for the past two years. He was first elected to the State Senate in 2003 to complete the remainder of Gov. Brad Henry’s term. He was reelected to the Senate District 17 seat in 2004 and again in 2008.

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Race For State Senate Control Starts

By Barbara Hoberock/Capitol Bureau, Tulsa World ~ With the conclusion of last week's party primaries, the race for control of the Oklahoma Senate kicked into a higher gear.

The Legislature's upper chamber is currently tied for the first time in state history with 24 Republicans and 24 Democrats.

Senate Republican leader Glenn Coffee of Oklahoma City is eyeing at least two seats his party could pick up: those held by Democrats Mike Morgan of Stillwater and Nancy Riley of Sand Springs.

Senate Democratic leader Charlie Laster of Shawnee is confident Democrats will retain both the Riley and Morgan seats and possibly make inroads with two seats in western Oklahoma.

"And so, any way you cut the math, if we win two and they win two, we are still tied," Laster said. "Whoever wins three out of four will be in the majority."

Senate District 21: Morgan can't seek re-election due to term limits. Former Payne County Associate District Judge Bob Murphy Jr. of Stillwater moved on to the general election by defeating Democrat rival Gregory M. Wilson of Carney with 63 percent of the vote in Tuesday's primary. Murphy faces former Oklahoma State University President James Halligan of Stillwater on the Nov. 4 ballot.

"Murphy was heavily funded yet didn't have the strongest of showings," Coffee said. "That shows real opportunity."

The district is pretty evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats with nearly 6,000 independents.

"Bob Murphy is a great candidate," Laster said.

Halligan's fundraising is approaching nearly a quarter of a million dollars, while Murphy has raised about $53,250.

Senate District 37: Republican Dan Newberry moved on to challenge Riley in November after defeating Jan Megee in the Republican primary. Riley was originally elected as a Republican, but she switched parties in 2006. The district has 17,215 Democrats, 24,953 Republicans and 5,333 independents, according to state Election Board figures.

To retain the seat, Riley would have to pick up Republicans who voted for Megee, Coffee said. But Laster believes voters in Senate District 37 will vote for the candidate, not the party, adding that Riley, a former school teacher, has represented her constituents very well.

Riley has raised about $211,364 to Newberry's $124,659.

Senate District 27: Term limits mean Sen. Owen Laughlin, R-Woodward, can't seek re-election to the district, which has 14,292 Democrats, 21,803 Republicans and 3,985 independents. Republican Bryce Marlatt earned nearly 76 percent in the primary against Kevin Evans. Both are from Woodward. Marlatt faces Democrat Bowdy E. Peach of Mooreland in November. Peach is the son of state Agriculture Secretary Terry Peach. His most recent filing with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission indicates he has raised less than $15,000 to Marlatt's nearly $60,000.

Despite that, Coffee said Senate Republicans aren't taking anything for granted and will ensure Marlatt is well-funded.

Laster said the Peach family is well-known in the area.

Senate District 31: Sen. Don Barrington, R-Lawton, faces Democrat Keith Erwin in the district, which has 22,895 Democrats, 9,789 Republicans and 3,872 independents. Barrington has raised nearly twice as much as Erwin.

Impact of presidential politics: The degree of influence that the presidential election will have in the fight for control of the Senate depends on who is asked. Coffee believes the race between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama bodes well for the GOP, saying Oklahomans vote for Republicans as president. Coffee said there is nothing at the top of the ticket to help Democrats.

"I think we have learned from looking at this stuff over the years is that in highly visible legislative races, people will make the decision based on the candidate and not the parties," Laster said. "When the top of the ticket seems to help is when the legislative race is not all that visible."

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Senate Democrats Unveil 'Vision For Oklahoma'

Senate Democratic leaders today unveiled their “Vision for Oklahoma” focusing on policies that they say will increase opportunities and foster responsibility for all Oklahomans.

The title is remarkably similiar to the one used last year by Senate Republicans with their "Vision for a Better Oklahoma."

“Oklahomans want a government that works for them—a government that works across party lines to bring greater opportunities and promotes responsibility,” President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan (pictured) said. “This legislative session, the Senate Democratic caucus will fight every day to bring about effective policies that make a real difference in the lives of our people.”

Democratic Floor Leader and President Pro Tempore Designate Charlie Laster (D-Shawnee) pointed to policies that will help grow Oklahoma as top priority for the Senate Democratic Caucus including the following priorities: Corporate Responsibility, Greater Opportunities for Higher Education, Greater Healthcare Opportunities and Insurance Reform, Responsible Tax Cuts, and Responsible Investments for Oklahoma’s Future.

“Focusing on these important priorities in the upcoming session, Senate Democrats hope to give all Oklahomans the tools they need to achieve a brighter future,” Laster said. “We have a responsibility to those who elected us to be their voice in the Senate to fight for policies that matter to them, rather than focus on policies that help the powerful special interests that roam these capitol halls.”
Laster said in a year when budgeting will be tight it will be more important than ever to prioritize investments that will help grow Oklahoma’s economy.

“Facing a sluggish national economy, Oklahoma needs to be pro-active in creating policies that will continue the growth we have seen in recent years,” Laster said. “That includes ensuring we are investing wisely in education to grow our workforce, creating policies that increase access to affordable healthcare to lower the number of uninsured in our state and investing in infrastructure improvements across our state.”

State Senator Kenneth Corn, Co-Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Public Safety and Judiciary and a Democrat from Poteau said keeping Oklahomans safe is one of governments greatest responsibilities.

“It is no secret that in previous years Oklahoma’s corrections system has faced tough times with prison overcrowding and staff shortages,” he said. “We intend to use the recently released independent audit as a road map to ensure we are making necessary changes and wise investments to help keep all our citizens safe.”

State Senator Debbe Leftwich said in this election year, the Senate Democratic Caucus wants to rise above the political posturing to help move Oklahoma forward. “We cannot allow an election year to stop us from doing what is right for the people of this state,” the Democrat from South Oklahoma City said. “Our vision for Oklahoma includes making certain that government is responsible to the people, that insurance companies are responsible to their policy holders and that Oklahomans are displaying personal responsibility to help themselves move into greatness.”

Morgan (D-Stillwater) said he will continue to ensure Oklahoma’s historic power-sharing agreement remains intact and that the people’s business is conducted in a manner that will make all Oklahomans proud. “As we begin the first session of Oklahoma’s second 100 years, we have the opportunity to make tremendous progress in this state,” he said. “We are committed to making the tough decisions required to bring Oklahoma a government that works for them.”

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Laster To Henry: Can You Take This Hint?

“I told him (Governor Henry) in a nice way (that) as he knows, perception is reality and the perception at the Capitol is that last year he went behind the Senate Democrats back and made a deal with (Republican House Speaker) Todd Hiett on the budget." ~ Senator Charlie Laster, D-Shawnee, explaining why Senate Democrats joined Senate and House Republicans in finalizing the new budget without Henry's input.

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