Lawmakers Offer Views At Annual Commission Breakfast

By Ray Dyer
The Sooner Catholic

OKLAHOMA CITY — Several Oklahoma lawmakers shared bits of their agendas at the second annual Legi- slative Breakfast hosted by the Com- mission for Justice and Human Development. The Feb. 1 gathering was held at the offices of Catholic Charities and attracted about 40 people.                  Shirley Cox, front left, poses with the members of the Oklahoma Legislature who attended the                                                second annual Legislative Breakfast hosted by the Commission for Justice and Human                                              Development. Photo/Sooner Catholic

Democrats included Joe Eddins, John Cary, Opio Toure, Rebecca Hamilton, Mike Shelton and Al Lindley, all members of the House of Representatives.  Republicans attending were Sen. Mike Johnson and Rep. Kevin Calvey.

Shirley Cox, a member of the Commission for Justice and Human Development, said the event provided “some very good dialogue.” Cox said the questions posed by constituents were both “relevant and thoughtful” and lawmakers touched on several issues considered social justice matters.

At times discussion grew a bit tense, but the tone remained respectful.

Teresa Evans said she did not agree with a proposal by Rep. Calvey that would require government employees to report illegal immigrants seeking benefits for their children, who by birth are eligible to receive the assistance. Evans, a member of Oklahoma City’s Saint Charles Parish, said the bill would hurt children. Calvey, a member of Saint Paul the Apostle in Del City, countered that his proposal would bring Oklahoma in line with federal law.

Calvey drew no objections when he outlined his plan to require abortion providers to make available ultra sounds for women considering an abortion. He said abortion is a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide and “the industry will lie to make money off of death.” Calvey said his bill is a way to provide women with as much information as possible before they make their decision.

The Del City Republican said he would also propose a tax credit for families in which one parent stays home to raise children. Calvey said a similar tax credit is extended to families who place    children in institutional day care. He said such a law would not penalize the day care industry, but would help support families.

Sister Catherine Powers, CND, a member of the Commission, asked lawmakers why Catholic school teachers are not treated the same as their public school counterparts. Sister Catherine serves as superintendent of Catholic Education for the Archdiocese. She said the state pays public school teachers $500 for mentoring first year teachers.

“Our teachers are all state certified,” Sister Catherine told the lawmakers. And yet, she said the state refuses to compensate a Catholic school teacher for performing the exact same mentoring service for first year teachers.

Following the meeting Sister Catherine said she will be contacting Sandy Garrett, Oklahoma’s Secretary of Education, about this and other issues concerning Catholic school teachers.

Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B.,  encouraged lawmakers at the breakfast to fully fund higher education scholarship programs dedicated to helping lower income Oklahomans. The president of Saint Gregory’s University, Abbot Lawrence said the cost of higher education continues to “skyrocket.” He said the state would be making a sound investment by helping as many Oklahomans as possible obtain a college education.  

Calvey added to the education discussion saying a voucher system, or allowing parents to send their children to the school of their choice, would also be a great investment on the part of the state. His comments drew no response.

During the 90-minute breakfast Democrats and Republicans gently sparred on other issues including health insurance.

Rep. Lindley, D-Oklahoma City, said the right and moral thing would be for businesses to provide employees with health insurance. Sen. Johnson disagreed saying health insurance should be a partnership between the employer and the employee. He said Oklahoma is a low income state and policy should be created that helps build better paying jobs. He said costly mandates from the government won’t build better jobs. Johnson, who attends Saint Peter and Paul in Kingfisher, pointed out that 80 to 90 percent of all new businesses fail. Lindley said business failure is  “management’s fault” and employees should not be penalized for poor management decisions.

Johnson also wants to raise the dependency exemption on the state income tax. He said the current level is harmful to the working poor. The tax goes into effect at the first $10,000 earned. Johnson said he promoted this issue last legislative session without success. “I guess some don’t want to let go of any revenue source for the government,” he said.  

Rep. Eddins, D-Vinita said Oklahoma prisons are wrong to overcharge inmates for making collect calls outside the prison walls. He said the state earns close to $3 million annually off of these collect phone calls.

“If we wear these people out financially and mentally they won’t   have anything left when they get out,” he said.   

Rep. Toure, D-Oklahoma City said he will again push to abolish the death penalty. He tried unsuccessfully last year to establish a commission to investigate whether any innocent person had ever been executed in Oklahoma. He said he will pursue that effort again this legislative session.

Rep. John Carey said he will work to create incentives so businesses can be more family friendly. He’d like to see breast feeding more readily accepted by the business community.   

“We won’t mandate it,” Carey said. “People don’t like mandates. We’ll try to incentivise business to do this.”

Rep. Mike Shelton said he will propose legislation to better protect Oklahoma’s elderly from scams and people who would do them harm.  He said also Oklahoma must tag dry fire hydrants so fire departments know which ones work and which ones are useless. He called the issue a major problem brought to light by the recent wild fires.                     

  Rep. Kevin Calvey, left, talks with Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen following the breakfast.