Bill Gives Veterans Free Park Admission

Rep. Chuck Hoskin's bills granting new benefits to Oklahoma veterans and benefiting the owners of motorcycles will soon head to the governor for his signature.

House Bill 2970, by Hoskin, gives all honorably discharged Oklahoma veterans free admission to state parks and museums.

"As we enter the Memorial Day weekend and remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our country, it's also a good time to honor those who served and made it back home," said Hoskin, D-Vinita. "House Bill 2970 is a small way to tell those veterans we appreciate their service."

Another proposal authored by Hoskin received final legislative approval this week. A provision of Senate Bill 2086 that Hoskin authored updates state regulation of motorcycle lights.

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Made In USA Flags Bill Soars Through House

The House voted today to require government agencies flying the flags of the United States of America and the State of Oklahoma to ensure those flags were made in the U.S.A.

House Bill 2969, by Rep. Chuck Hoskin, requires that all state agencies and political subdivisions purchase only U.S. flags and Oklahoma state flags that are manufactured in the United States.

"I appreciate the bipartisan support given this common-sense measure," said Hoskin, D-Vinita. "Our state and national flags are not simple products to be purchased at the lowest price regardless of where they are produced; the flags are symbols of our nation's greatness and the sacrifices made to ensure our freedoms."

Hoskin said the bill was filed at the request of local veterans who were upset to learn that some U.S. flags flown on a local government building had been manufactured in another country.

"I can understand their outrage," Hoskin said. "It's silly to allow the symbol of our country to become a source of income for nations that may not care much for our way of life."

House Bill 2969 passed on a 100-0 vote today. It now goes to the Senate.

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Veterans Get Free Parks, Museums Admission

Lawmakers voted to honor Oklahoma's military veterans by giving them a break at museums and parks. House Bill 2970, by Rep. Chuck Hoskin, gives all honorably discharged Oklahoma veterans free admission at state parks and museums.

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Benge Elected Speaker By Acclamation

Republican Rep. Chris Benge was elected speaker of the House today by acclamation after Democrat Leader Danny Morgan withdrew his name as a candidate.

“I would like to congratulate Representative Benge on his election as Speaker of the House,” said Morgan, D- Prague. “We have the opportunity to reach a historic level of bipartisanship in the House of Representatives. After the past couple of weeks events, it is imperative that Republicans and Democrats work together to restore integrity to the House.”

Morgan was nominated by fellow House Democratic Caucus colleagues as a candidate for the speaker position. However, Morgan withdrew from the race to show bipartisan support and hope for a productive 2008 Session.

“This election signals a new era of bipartisanship for Oklahoma,” said Democrat Caucus Chair Chuck Hoskin, D- Vinita. “In the past, only pieces of legislation that received the personal stamp of approval by Speakers Hiett and Cargill were ever allowed a fair hearing on the House Floor. That equates to a high percentage of Oklahomans’ voices being shut out of the legislative process. I believe that Speaker Benge knows better than this and will work with us to make new investments in Oklahoma.”

“Open debate and discussion are staples of American Democracy,” said Rep. Mike Brown, D-Tahlequah. “We look forward to working with Speaker Benge to ensure that all Oklahomans ideas are heard in committee and on the House Floor.”

“Now is the time for all Legislators to roll up their sleeves and work hard for their constituents,” said Morgan. “Ethics reform, quality education and major investments that take this state forward are all goals that House Democrats have laid out for this Session. It is time to deliver what we promised to the people of Oklahoma.”

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CARGILL REELECTED SPEAKER

UPDATED 1:37, 6:35 PM ~ As expected (reported here Monday), Oklahoma House Republican caucus members Tuesday elected Lance Cargill as Speaker-designate for the 2009-10 session, giving Cargill a second term in the House’s top post.

“I’m grateful to my fellow caucus members for their support, and I thank them for this vote of confidence as we move forward with important conservative reforms,” said Cargill, R-Harrah, who currently serves as Speaker. “I also want to say how much I respect Representative John Wright. He's a valuable member, and as a unified caucus we're poised for real progress this coming year. I see tremendous opportunities in the areas of state fiscal accountability, state government modernization, and performance pay for teachers.”

Rep. John Wright, R-Broken Arrow, joined Cargill as a candidate in seeking the Speaker-designate position. Wright's attempt to unseat Cargill reportedly had support from a small group of GOP members, but not enough to forestall the vote, or elect Wright.

"I congratulate Speaker Cargill on his election by the caucus to continue to serve the House of Representatives as Speaker, and I dedicate to working with him to continue to advance good policies for the state of Oklahoma," said Wright, who serves as chairman of the caucus.

One member told TMRO that some other members were "pushed into" Cargill's camp by a KWTV-Channel 9 report on GOP fundraising that aired last night. The member said the report was "flawed" and was, in his words, "a clear hatchet job on Cargill, and thus, I guess, on all of us." The station's report can be viewed at http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1126532071?bclid=1111467132&bctid=1243684707

Cargill’s first term as Speaker will end after the upcoming 2008 session. The Harrah native has served in the House since 2000, representing large portions of eastern Oklahoma County. Provided Republicans retain their majority in the House in the 2008 election cycle, Tuesday’s caucus vote means that Cargill will serve as Speaker for another two years in 2009 and 2010.

“Today’s vote is a victory for the entire caucus, and puts us in a strong, unified position,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell. “By maintaining our current Speaker, we’re giving the House Republican majority the ability to press for needed conservative reforms in the upcoming session and beyond.”

House Majority Leader Greg Piatt, R-Ardmore, also praised Tuesday’s vote saying, “By designating Lance Cargill for a second term as Speaker, the House Republican majority is well-prepared for the upcoming legislative session, and we have real momentum.”

In response to the Republican Caucus selecting Cargill to be Speaker, Rep. Chuck Hoskin, House Democratic Caucus Chair stated, "I'm very disappointed the Republicans decided to nominate a candidate who is currently under investigation for ethics violations. This shows that the members that voted for Cargill have no regard for what law enforcement entities might conclude in their review of campaign finance violations over the past two cycles."

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Chuck Hoskin Elected House Democrat Chairman

In a caucus meeting, members of the House Democratic Caucus unanimously selected Rep. Chuck Hoskin of Vinita as their Chairman.

Rep. Ryan McMullen, the former chairman of the Democratic Caucus, vacated the position earlier this summer in order to concentrate his efforts on redistricting reform.

"I know I have some big shoes, or should I say boots, to fill. I speak on behalf of the entire caucus when I extend my appreciation for Representative McMullen's tireless service to the Democratic Caucus as its chair," said Hoskin.

Hoskin, a member of the Native American Caucus, is in his first term in the House. "During his short time in the Legislature, Representative Hoskin has fought to ensure all Oklahomans have the opportunity to succeed and I am really excited about his leadership," said Democratic Leader Rep. DannyMorgan.

As chairman of the Democratic Caucus, Hoskin will preside over caucus meetings and will play a key role in developing the caucus' efforts to win during the 2008 election cycle.

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