Benge Names Cooksey, Jackson, Jones, McNiel

From The Speaker's Media Office ~ House Speaker Chris Benge named four additional members of his leadership team today.

Rep. Tad Jones will serve as the Majority Floor Leader, Rep. Mike Jackson will serve as Majority Whip, Rep. Skye McNiel will serve as Caucus Vice Chairman and Rep. Marian Cooksey will serve as Caucus Secretary.

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Tougher Slave Trade Law Signed By Henry

Legislation to hike the penalties for modern-day slave traders has been signed into law by Governor Henry.

Two female House members who led the charge to punish human traffickers said they were pleased the bill finally became law after four years of work.

"Human trafficking is the slave trade of the 21st Century," said Rep. Marian Cooksey, R-Edmond. "For too long, people have been smuggled into Oklahoma and forced into prostitution or exploited as unpaid laborers."

"It has taken four years of work to build support for this measure," said Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, D-Oklahoma City. "Many people don't realize the slave trade didn't end with the Civil War, it just went underground. Today's slave trade doesn't discriminate based on race. Instead, it exploits the weak and tramples their spirits, especially poor women from third-world countries."

Both women authored human trafficking legislation this year and joined forced to see the combined proposal become law. The two legislators had each authored similar legislation in both 2006 and 2007as well.

House Bill 1021, by Cooksey, creates new penalties for anyone convicted of human trafficking "for forced labor or forced sexual exploitation" who relies on the "use of force, fraud or coercion" to trap victims.

Under the bill, those convicted of human trafficking will face at least five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000 for each conviction. Anyone convicted of human trafficking involving victims younger than age 14 will face at least 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to$20,000.

Those convicted of the crime could also be ordered to pay restitution to their victims and the bill allows law enforcement officials to seize trafficker's property - including aircraft, vehicles and money - to help offset the state expenses of prosecution.

Although it took several years to approve a human trafficking law in Oklahoma, past efforts were not wasted, Cooksey and Hamilton said.

"Slave traders don't differentiate between Republicans and Democrats when they kidnap their victims, so the battle against human trafficking should not break down along partisan lines," Cooksey said. "I am pleased this was a bipartisan effort and an occasion where lawmakers worked together for the good of all Oklahomans."

A September 2004 Human Rights Center report titled, "Hidden Slaves: Forced Labor in the United States," found that at any given time more than 10,000 forced laborers are working in the United States. Most of them work in prostitution, domestic services, agriculture and sweatshops. In 2003, the Department of Justice reported the largest concentrations of trafficking survivors who received federal assistance resided in California, Texas, New York and Oklahoma.

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Human Trafficking Bill Goes To Henry

Legislation to crack down on criminals who kidnap and sell human beings has gained final legislative approval and now awaits the governor's signature to become law.

House Bill 1021, by Rep. Marian Cooksey, creates new penalties for anyone convicted of human trafficking "for forced labor or forced sexual exploitation" who relies on the "use of force, fraud or coercion" to trap victims.

"Human trafficking is the slave trade of the 21st Century," said Cooksey, R-Edmond. "Anyone who holds another human being in slavery for prostitution or forced labor or any other purpose must pay a high price for their actions."

Under the bill, those convicted of human trafficking will face at least five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000 for each conviction.

Anyone convicted of human trafficking involving victims younger than age 14 will face at least 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to$20,000.

Those convicted of the crime could also be ordered to pay restitution to their victims and the bill allows law enforcement officials to seize trafficker's property - including aircraft, vehicles and money - to help offset the state expenses of prosecution.

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Black: Cooksey's Vote May Prompt Campaign

Blogger and media personality Ron Black, staunch defender of the 2nd Amendment, is out today with a blast at Rep. Marian Cooksey and says her vote on a concealed carry bill may prompt him to try to unseat her in 2010.

Writes Black:

MARIAN COOKSEY LONE "NO" VOTE ON CONCEALED CARRY BILL: Gorilla's Note: In this country, 18 year old men and women are "mature" enough to raise their right hand, swear an oath to defend the Constitution against enemies both foreign and domestic, be issued a rifle and pistol, stand a post and possibly lose their lives in defense of this great nation, but according to the all-knowing, all-seeing Rep. Marian Cooksey (who happens to be my Representative - for now), these same men and women are not "old enough to carry them." Perhaps the 18 year olds in Marian's life aren't "old enough" or mature enough, but the men and women I know certainly are. Perhaps Rep. Cooksey will soon author legislation to raise the age limit of men and women to enter the Armed Services? How old is old enough, Rep. Cooksey? 21? 25? 30? I am disgusted by this decision and though it may be a moot point anyway (you must be 21 years of age to purchase a pistol in the United States), the principle of the matter still stands. I wonder if Rep. Cooksey has even read the Constitution and is familiar with the 2nd Amendment? What about "shall not be infringed" does she not understand?

I am seriously considering whether or not I need to plan a run for House District 39 in the future. We need Representation who understands the Constitution, who respects the fact that in this country, 18 year olds have the "maturity" to stand a post and give their lives so Marian Cooksey can author incredibly meaningful pieces of legislation on issues of critical importance like the overwhelming problem of human trafficking in Oklahoma, but according to her, these same men and women aren't "old enough" to carry a firearm to protect themselves and their families from the evil elements in our culture.

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Concealed Carry Age Eligibility Bill Advances

By Mick Hinton, Tulsa World ~ A bill that would lower the age at which people can carry concealed weapons from 21 to 18 is headed to the state House for consideration.

"In my district when you turn 18, you already have 16 years of experience with a gun," said Rep. Jerry Ellis (pictured), who added that he was exaggerating to make his point.

Ellis, from southeastern Oklahoma, is the author of House Bill 2232, which was approved 15-1 by the House Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.

The bill was requested by the Oklahoma Rifle Association, the state affiliate of the National Rifle Association, said Ellis, D-Valliant.

Charles Smith of Yukon, executive director of the state association, said the reason for passing the bill is simple. "If people can vote and serve in the military at age 18, they should be able to carry a concealed gun," he said.

Rep. Marian Cooksey, R-Edmond, who cast the lone dissenting vote, said she realizes that sometimes, especially in rural areas, fathers teach their sons how to hunt and handle a gun at an early age.

Read all the story at www.tulsaworld.com.

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Cargill Pushes 'American Dream Act'

Standing before a new house in north Oklahoma City, former House Speaker Lance Cargill today urged lawmakers to enact the "The American Dream Act" to help first-time homebuyers purchase similar dwellings across the state.

"Home ownership is the foundation of 'the American Dream,' for most families," said Cargill, R-Harrah. "This plan puts that dream within reach for more Oklahomans and will help citizens avoid the pitfalls that created our current mortgage crisis."

House Bill 3392, "The American Dream Act," by Cargill, R-Harrah, and Marian Cooksey, R-Edmond, would create a tax-free savings plan similar to the state's plan that allows tax-free savings for college tuition. Under the bill's provisions, a first-time Oklahoma homebuyer would be able to make annual tax-free deposits into the account for a maximum of five years to be used as a down payment on the purchase of a home.

The idea for the savings plan was generated as the result of Oklahoma's 100 Ideas Initiative, which was spearheaded by Cargill, and is included in the recently published book, "100 Ideas - Innovation forthe Second Century."

The measure would authorize an annual deduction of up to$2,500 for single filers and $5,000 for joint married filers for every dollar deposited into the home savings account. The maximum deduction over a five-year period would be $12,500 for single filers and $25,000 for joint married filers.

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Domestic Abuse Victim Protection Bill Advances

A measure to protect and keep confidential the location of victims of domestic abuse passed a House committee. House Bill 2250, by Rep. Marian Cooksey, modifies what information municipal utility companies can disclose to the public under the Oklahoma Open Records Act and allows non-disclosure of a customer's name. The bill also defines what information may be available for public access including consumption rates, adjustments to the bill, reasons for adjustment, address and the name of the person that authorized the adjustment.

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Women In Government Conference Due

Oklahoma City is in the national spotlight this week as host of the Women in Government 14th Annual Midwestern Conference, Rep. Marian Cooksey said today.

Women In Government is a national non-profit, bi-partisan organization of women state legislators providing leadership opportunities, networking, expert forums, and educational resources to address and resolve complex public policy issues. Every year the group holds a conference for Midwestern states to discuss cutting-edge public policy issues.

Cooksey, who serves as an Oklahoma state director of Women in Government, said she looks forward to the Impact of Cancer Care on States and the Patient Legislative Training session, one of the sessions offered at the conference. "This subject is something I am very passionate about-we need to address the increasing cancer rates plaguing Oklahoma and ensure these citizens have the best health care possible," said Cooksey, R-Edmond.

The conference will be held at the Oklahoma City Waterford Marriott today through June 2.

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Trafficking Bill Given Green Light In House

State lawmakers voted Tuesday to crack down on criminals who kidnap and sell human beings. House Bill 1021, by state Rep. Marian Cooksey, would make human trafficking a felony punishable by five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Anyone caught trafficking children age 14 and younger would face 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Those convicted of human trafficking could also be ordered to pay restitution to their victims.

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Lawmakers Question Askins' Budget Increase

Two lawmakers who have served as key staff members in the lieutenant governor's office said Tuesday they question the budget increase sought by new Lt. Governor Jari Askins.

"With state revenues being less than expected, I don't feel this would be an appropriate time for a large spending increase for the lieutenant governor," said Rep. Marian Cooksey (R-Edmond), who served as Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin's deputy chief of staff from 1995 to 2003. "There is already enough to fund the needs of the office right now."

Askins, a Democrat, is seeking a more than 34 percent increase in her office and staff budget. Askins has already received a pay raise from $85,000 annually to well over $100,000. Currently, the lieutenant governor's office employs about half a dozen full-time employees who assist with clerical duties, logistics and communications.

"As public servants, it's our job to be fiscally responsible and to act as good stewards of the taxpayers' money," said Rep. Colby Schwartz (R-Yukon), who served as legislative and constituent liaison for Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin from 1999 to 2001. "I'm proud of the work I did under Lieutenant Governor Fallin. I know we ran a tight ship with a frugal budget, and I think Lieutenant Governor Askins should be able to get by without a large spending increase."

The budget increase sought by Askins came to light after the governor included the dollar amount in his executive budget - though he told journalists last week he felt the lieutenant governor's office was "a waste of taxpayer dollars." The governor later explained his contradictory comments as an off-the-cuff mistake, but the gaffe shed light on the large spending increase.

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