Autism Bill Draws Support, Discussion

Democratic Floor Leader Mike Brown, D-Tahlequah, and Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs, today praised the passage of a bill designed to enhance services for autism in the state, but cautioned that the bill may not do enough to help families of children with this disease.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Speaker Pro Tem Kris Steele to ensure this bill is as effective as possible,” Brown said. “I’ve always believed that we can craft good legislation by reaching across the aisle to share our concerns and then allow full debate by the good public servants of the House of Representatives."

Brown and Steele, R-Shawnee, collaborated on improving language to HB2027 before it was introduced on the House floor to ensure that the bill would remain in full compliance with existing statutes.

“I’ve visited with administrators at Northeastern State University, and they’re ready to implement this training program. As soon as this funding comes through, they are set to start training autism providers,” Brown added.

“This bill, however, remains only a partial solution to the greater problem of helping families of children with autism,” Brown stated. “They face greater challenges not addressed by this bill, such as paying for costly treatment for their children. Since many insurance companies don’t cover care for autism, even families who can afford private insurance may not be able to afford treatment – so how will these new providers afford to stay in Oklahoma?”

Dorman joined Brown in praising passage of the bill, but also held reservations whether this bill does enough to help Oklahoma families.

“My greatest concern is that without a way to ensure these providers a mechanism for payment, we’ll experience a ‘brain drain’ and lose them to other states,” said Dorman. “Training more autism providers is an excellent step in the right direction, but I am concerned especially for people in rural areas that they will still be unable to find autism specialists or pay for their services.”

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Brown Seeks 'Robust' Ethics Commission

House Democratic Floor Leader Mike Brown, D-Tahlequah, today called on lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to champion open government by strengthening the state’s Ethics Commission.

“I think we all agree that the way to restore the public’s faith that their government is working for them is to be open about what their elected officials are doing,” Brown said. “And sadly, the honor system doesn’t always work. We need a robust watchdog whose full-time job is keeping us accountable.

“The best way to prove to the people of our state that we are serious about transparency and accountability is to strengthen the Ethics Commission,” Brown stated.

In two recent meetings of the House General Government and Transportation Subcommittee, officials from the Ethics Commission have requested funding for additional personnel, including another investigator. Currently, the commission has only one investigator.

Some discussions in the subcommittee meeting focused on alternatives to adding staff, such as relaxing reporting requirements for campaign contributions or contracting work to the private sector. Brown disagrees with those suggestions, saying it would weaken the public’s faith in the Ethics Commission.

“No matter why we do it, if we weaken the rules or contract out this work, the public will think we’ve got something to hide,” he stated.

“After the serious problems last session with some elected officials’ ethical violations, we can’t turn around and question whether we need this agency,” Brown said. “Unfortunately, I think that some of the Republicans’ discussion came across as partisan, and we all need to clarify our priorities.

“When the House Republicans rolled out their agenda, ethics reform and accountability were high on their list of priorities. We’ve set up the Ethics Commission to carry out that work, so let’s give them the tools they need to do it.”

Brown stated that one of the biggest obstacles for the commission is that it lacks authority to enforce the rules when violations occur.

“When the Ethics Commission investigator finds a potential criminal violation, their work stops there and they have to rely on law enforcement to pick it up. If boards that regulate law and medical professionals can assess fines for violating their rules, then why can’t the Ethics Commission do the same?” Brown questioned. “We’ve given this agency all the responsibility, but none of the authority. This session, I’d like to focus on doing everything we can to give this commission some teeth.”

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House Democrats Complete Leadership Team

House Democratic Floor Leader Mike Brown (left), D-Tahlequah, today announced the selection of additional Democratic floor leadership positions for the 52nd Legislature.

Those named include Whip: Ben Sherrer, D-Chouteau; Deputy Floor Leaders: Wes Hilliard, D-Sulphur; Jerry McPeak, D-Warner; Assistant Floor Leaders: Wallace Collins, D-Norman; Wade Rousselot, D-Wagoner; Jabar Shumate, D-Tulsa; Jeannie McDaniel, D- Tulsa; Larry Glenn, D-Miami.

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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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Brown Can't Resist Cheap Shot, Ignores McMahan

Rep. Mike Brown, Tahlequah Democrat, couldn't resist a cheap shot today following the resignation of Lance Cargill as speaker of the House. Ignoring the federal indictment of Democrat Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan and his wife, and allegations they and other Democrats violated Oklahoma law as well, Brown aimed his statement only at Cargill and Republicans when he said, “If the Republican Speaker stepped aside because of unethical or illegal campaign activities then there is obviously a dark cloud over the Republican Caucus. We must ensure that the integrity of the House is restored by guaranteeing that ongoing investigations not be hampered in any way. Full and adequate funding for ethics reform is a priority. The corruption at the State Capitol needs (sic) stop right here and right now.”

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Mike Brown Wants Ethics Commission Expanded To 'Eliminate Any Corruption That Exists'

“Oklahomans should be concerned about the facts that Chairman of the Democratic Party Ivan Holmes brought up today,” said Representative Mike Brown, D-Tahlequah. “House Republicans seem to be under a lot of investigation and scrutiny. This could be an arduous task for an under funded Ethics Commission whose staff is already stretched thin, and resources limited. The House Democrats will push for expansion of the Ethics Commission power to eliminate any corruption that exists. Accepting bribes is completely unethical and destroys the dignity of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.”

“House Democrats have made ethics reform one of their top priorities for the upcoming Session," Brown said. "Unethical and illegal fundraising and spending practices will not be tolerated. Oklahomans deserve to have a fair and ethical government they can depend on. Without the result of full bipartisanship and support on this issue there will be no change."

See Holmes' statement below.

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Mike Brown: Cargill's 'Petty Attacks' Uncalled For

Tahlequah Democat Rep. Mike Brown (pictured) said today that House Speaker Lance Cargill's remarks last week about fiscal responsibility and ethical behavior were uncalled-for "petty attacks."

Brown said Cargill "resorted to petty attacks and blamed others for his problems. His personal attacks on other Members of the House of Representatives are uncalled for.”

“No matter what the Speaker says, the fact is more money has been spent,” said Brown. “The Speaker can send out press releases to justify paying his employees more money and buying new furniture. It is a fact that the Oklahoma House of Representatives and Legislative Service Bureau budgets have increased in his tenure as Speaker.”

“I am perfectly happy with my new office renovation,” said Brown. “I would have been perfectly content with my old oak desk, sofa and chairs. When I asked to keep my furniture I was told that keeping the old furniture wasn’t an option, the Speaker was replacing everyone’s. I am not taking issue with the Speaker over the fact that he renovated the offices. I take issue with the fact that the House budget has increased by $1 million and the Speaker is now making excuses for extravagant spending. Don’t insult my or the peoples’ intelligence by saying you’ve cut the budget when you really haven’t.”

“It seems The Speaker and other Republican House Members want to blame former Senator Gene Stipe or other elected officials' ethical behavior for their current problems. Gene Stipe hasn’t had any control of the state's budget since I’ve been elected. Former Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher was impeached by a Democratic controlled House in 2004 for illegally receiving bribes and gifts from the Gene Phillips Group, and is now in prison. Since then the Republican Leadership and a handful of Republican House members enjoyed a fundraiser at the Phillips home in December. When reporters asked them about it, they seemed to have selective memory loss as to whose home they were going or completely forgot the Fisher/Phillips incident.”

“Democrats took action in impeaching Fisher, will others be willing to do the same if necessary?” asked Brown.

“I want to work in a bipartisan government with the Speaker if he is willing. We can all work together to find ways to save Oklahoma taxpayers money. Just don’t use the Speaker’s office to promote spending less money when you are in fact doing the opposite.”

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Brown, Cannaday Deride 'Reckless' Tax Cuts

State Reps. Ed Cannaday, (left) Porum Democrat, and Mike Brown, (right) Fort Gibson Democrat, said today Oklahoma "cannot expand its economic base and provide the needed labor force and infrastructure while instituting reckless tax-cutting programs."

They made their joint statement after officials of the Oklahoma City and Metro Tulsa Chambers of Commerce announced their opposition to expanding state tax cuts at a recent hearing.

"It is encouraging to see business leaders acknowledge something that many of us in the Legislature have been proclaiming for some time," Cannaday said.

The chambers announced their position during a House Economic Development and Financial Services Committee interim study on the issue of restructuring the Oklahoma Opportunity Fund. The Oklahoma Supreme Court recently ruled that the fund's Review Board was unconstitutional because it violates the separation of powers portion of the Oklahoma Constitution.

As part of the review of the Opportunity Fund, lawmakers focused on funding for projects that provide "a significant economic benefit to the state." The goal of the Opportunity Fund was to have state money that can be made immediately available to entice businesses to locate in the state.

"When officials were asked about the potential conflict between the Legislature's continued focus on cutting state taxes and expanding this business incentive program, the presidents of the Oklahoma City and Tulsa Chambers of Commerce both stated unequivocally that having low state taxes is not an incentive that spurs a state's economic growth," Cannaday said. "Roy Williams said that 'cheapest is not best.' I hope my colleagues will take note."

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