AP Notes Peterson's Insurance Ties

By Ron Jenkins/The Associated Press ~ Ron Peterson, the lawmaker who blocked health insurance mandates after getting thousands of dollars in contributions from insurance companies, is only one of a growing list of Republican House leaders opting to give up their legislative posts.

Peterson, R-Broken Arrow, announced last week that he will not be among lawmakers who will be taking part in the three-day filing period that begins Monday at the state Capitol.

He was not specific about his plans, other than that he would be returning to the private sector. He is a former owner of a property and casualty insurance agency and his wife is a part-time independent insurance agent.

In his announcement, Peterson bragged about passing some insurance-related legislation, but made no mention of blocking bills this year to require insurance companies to cover autism in children and other medical disorders and conditions.

Read the entire article at http://newsok.com/insurance-industry-champ-ron-peterson-bowing-out/article/3251311/?tm=1212253946.

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Are Cargill, Adkins Next To Quit?

Republicans may face the prospect of losing two more sitting members of the House, Capitol sources say as rumors fly today about the reelection plans of former House Speaker Lance Cargill of Harrah, and Dennis Adkins of Tulsa.

An informed House source says Cargill and Adkins likely are to announce soon they do not plan to seek reelection.

If that's true, they will join Reps. Rob Johnson, Ron Peterson, Greg Piatt, Susan Winchester and Trebor Worthen in forgoing reelection bids. Four of them have said they will return to private life, while Johnson is running for the Corporation Commission. None of them are term-limited.

Cargill, an attorney who resigned as speaker after disclosures that he had failed to pay multiple taxes, once was touted as a future GOP candidate for governor. He was elected speaker in 2006 as Republicans took control of the House for the first time in history, and launched an ambitious public relations and legislative program. His "100 Ideas" initiative drew on ideas submitted by citizens and many of those ideas have been implemented.

Adkins' use of campaign funds put him in the news in September 2006, when the Tulsa World's Mick Hinton reported Adkins was using donations to pay for an Oklahoma City condo he purchased. Adkins subsequently repaid his campaign the $15,596 it spent for rent on the condo. Hinton also reported that Adkins said he reimbursed the campaign to "get this behind me." Adkins said he had asked the Oklahoma Ethics Commission to determine if he followed the law in making the rent payments from his campaign fund. Director Marilyn Hughes said that when Adkins asked her about the payments, he did not mention he owns the condo.

Adkins, 43, was elected to the House in 2000; he's not had a serious opponent since and in 2004 and 2006, was unopposed. Earlier this year, he had the largest campaign warchest of any House member, $192,236, and that's after he spent almost $54,000 in the last reporting period. He has yet to comment on rumors he may run for the Corporation Commission seat now held by Democrat Jim Roth.

If Cargill and Adkins do opt out, the number of House Republicans not seeking reelection this year will total seven so far; Worthen announced at the beginning of this year's session and Johnson is running for the Corporation Commission.

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Peterson, Winchester Opt Out This Year

Reps. Ron Peterson and Susan Winchester announced today they will not seek re-election this year.

"I have enjoyed my service in the Legislature and feel that I've made a real contribution to the state, but it's time for me to return to the private sector," said Peterson, R-Broken Arrow.

"I am proud that I championed common-sense, conservative legislation that will grow our economy and create private-sector jobs."

Peterson was first elected to the House in 2000 and has served four terms. During the last four years he has served as chairman of the House Economic Development & Financial Services Committee.

Winchester announced she will not seek re-election to a sixth term. Winchester, a Chickasha Republican, was the first woman to serve as House speaker pro tem. She also ran unsuccessfully to become the state's first female speaker.

Winchester says she is most proud of a bill that became law removing criminal penalties against parents who leave newborn infants safely with medical providers.

A third Republican, House Majority Floor Leader Greg Piatt of Ardmore, who could serve two more years until he is term-limited, also says he won't seek reelection. After serving in the House for 10 years, Piatt said he wants to spend more time with his family.

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Insurance Agents Honor Jolley, Peterson

The Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma (IIAO) today recognized two state legislators for their support of issues of importance to independent agents.

Senator Clark Jolley of Edmond was presented the 2008 State Senator of the Year Award in recognition of his leadership in passing legislation allowing Oklahoma businesses who operate in other states, and who are insured by CompSource Oklahoma, to be properly protected. The legislation gives Oklahoma employers the ability to protect employees who sustain injuries while working in other states.

Rep. Ron Peterson of Broken Arrow was presented the inaugural Legislative Award for Courage in recognition of his firm opposition to legislation imposing unfunded mandates on health insurance policies.

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Peterson's Committee Conduct Examined

The Tulsa World's Mick Hinton today explores the anger demonstrated by House Democrats last week with their walkout, and the reasons behind it. Broken Arrow Republican Ron Peterson (pictured) has emerged as the primary sore point, as Hinton writes, "The walkout followed Wednesday's refusal by Rep. Ron Peterson, R-Broken Arrow, to allow Democratic members to ask why his committee would not let parents speak in a public meeting on an amendment to extend insurance coverage to children with autism.

"Peterson, a former insurance agent, had announced at the beginning of the committee meeting that when bills came up, each side would be allowed two minutes of discussion. But when it came time to hear a bill that could have been amended to contain the insurance coverage for autism, a Republican member moved that the panel refuse any amendments and vote on the bill. Democrats shouted that they had questions. But the vote continued.

"Peterson had come under criticism earlier in the week when supporters of a bill dubbed 'Steffanie's Law' sought a hearing to force insurers to continue coverage in cases in which a person undergoes clinical trials, often in a last-ditch effort. Peterson told senators that their bills would not be heard because he is concerned that passing more bills containing insurance mandates will raise coverage costs for everyone and freeze out some people who can no longer afford health insurance.

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Angry House Democrats Stage Walkout

Angry House Democrats today walked out of the chamber to protest the refusal of Republican committee chairmen to allow those with whom they disagree to speak.

Rep. Chuck Hoskin, head of the House Democratic caucus, said it was bad enough that members of the public were not allowed to speak, but elected representatives also are being denied the right to ask questions in committee and on the floor.

Thursday morning, Rep. James Covey, D-Custer City, asked to be recognized on the House floor because he wanted to speak with House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, about how committee meetings are being conducted. But he was not recognized.

"That was the straw that broke the camel's back," said Rep. Eric Proctor, D-Tulsa.

House Minority Leader Danny Morgan, D-Prague, huddled with Benge and others in the speaker's office. Morgan said Benge agreed to review committee rules and will have an answer on Monday.

Morgan (pictured) said his members also are angry over the the refusal by Rep. Ron Peterson, R-Broken Arrow, to let supporters of a measure that would require insurance companies to cover costs associated with autism speak before his committee.

About 30 supporters showed up the past two weeks to speak to Peterson's committee, but Peterson killed the measure and denied supporters a chance to speak.

Last week Chad Smith, principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, was not allowed to speak before a House committee that took up a bill that would make English the official language of the state. The chairman of that committee, Rep. Guy Liebmann, R-Oklahoma City, restricted comments to House members. The measure passed out of committee and is awaiting action on the House floor. House Speaker Chris Benge later apologized to Smith and said he should have been allowed to speak.

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Bill's Proponents Not Allowed To Speak

By Mick Hinton/Tulsa World ~ Parents crowded into a committee meeting Wednesday to express their support for "Nick's Law," which would force insurance companies to provide health coverage for autistic children. But no one was allowed to speak.

The parents blamed Rep. Ron Peterson, R-Broken Arrow, chairman of the House Economic Development and Financial Services Committee, for blocking the legislation from being heard.

Peterson has been an outspoken critic of the legislation because he said it would raise the insurance premiums of all policy holders at a time when rising medical costs are the No. 1 concern of Oklahomans.

Democratic members of the committee vocally protested when a Republican member made a motion that effectively cut off debate on adding an amendment to provide health coverage for autism to another bill.

"It was orchestrated and I'm ashamed and, more importantly, the Republicans should be embarrassed for running a disgusting meeting," said Rep. Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City.

Read the entire story at www.tulsaworld.com.

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Peterson Says State Employee Measure Dead

Legislation that would fund a significant state employee pay raise while also boosting retirement benefits and saving taxpayer money may have been effectively killed this year, Rep. Ron Peterson said today.

"We had an opportunity for a real win-win solution to along-term funding problem facing state government, but the lack of visible support from the state agencies and state employees, and election-year pressures, have derailed the employee pay raise bill," said Peterson, a Broken Arrow Republican who chairs the House Economic Development & Financial Services Committee.

House Bill 3108, by Peterson, would have changed the way the state pays for employee health benefits.

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State Employee Benefit Bill A 'Work In Progress'

Rep. Ron Peterson, author of a bill involving the state employee benefit allowance, stressed today that the bill is still a work in progress as lawmakers look for ways to replace the lost allowance with other compensation.

“We are working with the Oklahoma Public Employees Association to ensure that any money taken out of the benefit allowance is replaced with other compensation,” said Peterson, R-Broken Arrow. “We don’t want to short our state employees, but the formula is unsustainable in its current form.”

Sterling Zearley, executive director of the association, said he appreciates Peterson’s willingness to work with state employees to ensure they are not out any salary with this proposed change.

“The issue is complex and is going to require some time for us to be able to come up with a comprehensive reform package that will include long-term market compensation in addition to any health care allowance change,” said Zearley.

The bill will now go to the House floor for consideration.

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House Panel Approves Health Benefit Change

The Associated Press reports that a divided state House committee today passed legislation opposed by state employees that would recalculate their health benefit allowance and end the practice of letting state workers receive cash for portions of the allowance they do not spend on insurance.

But the measure's author, Rep. Ron Peterson, R-Broken Arrow, said he will not allow the measure to go forward unless it is accompanied by a compensation package that will funnel any savings produced by the plan back to state workers to supplement their income.

"It will be hand-in-hand with compensation," Peterson said. "There's a real opportunity for a win-win situation here. I think there are some savings to be had."

The measure, approved 11-6 by the House Economic Development and Financial Services Committee, would change guidelines that permit state workers to receive cash for portions of their state-paid health benefit allowance they do not spend on an insurance plan.

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