Gov. Henry protects Oklahomans from irresponsible legislation:


From issues ranging from abortion to the budget- Governor Brad Henry has used his veto more times during this legislative session than the previous four years combined. This is a result of a number of measures hastily passed through the state capitol as the legislative session is set to end May 28th. The problem is that often times these bills are at best irresponsible, and at worst negligent.

Here are just some of the bloopers from the Republican congress:

Senate Bill 507- Would have had provisions in it which would prevent accountability of medical care by putting a limited dollar value on pain and suffering one experiences when they are the victims of malpractice.

House Bill 1234- How many of us would sit down to draw up a budget without knowing how much to we have to spend- or even what our bills were? This budget bill was drawn up without consultation with Governor Henry or house Democrats- nor did it have an overall budget framework to put spending in context to ensure fiscal responsibility!

Senate Bill 714- A bill which was opposed by the Oklahoma State Medical Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Oklahoma Nurses Association. A bill that would punish women for being raped- by not allowing public funds to assist in paying for abortions in cases such as rape or incest.

Republicans have called on Governor Henry to sign bills such as these as a "sign of good faith" and chastised him for a lack of bipartisanship. Someone needs to remind Republican legislators that the effects of hasty, half-finished legislation can deeply impact the lives of all Oklahomans.

-Gregory R. Gaede