Oklahoma's version of CI-97 is struck down

Oklahoma Supreme Court Throws Out TABOR
AP - 8/31/2006 12:02 PM - Updated: 8/31/2006 12:19 PM

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Supreme Court Thursday threw out the proposed "taxpayer bill of rights" petition to reduce growth in government spending.

The court ruled the petition lacked sufficient valid signatures to send it to the ballot.

The proposal was aimed at limiting increases in state government spending to the growth of inflation and population.

The order indicated the justices agreed with a referee's report that tens of thousands of signatures were gathered illegally by out-of-state circulators.

State Senator Randy Brogdon said the court opinion disenfranchises 300,000 people who signed the petition. He says backers will continue to work to get it on the ballot, even if it means they must collect new signatures.

TABOR petition tossed for lack of legal signatures
By World Capitol Bureau
8/31/2006 12:12:00 PM

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Thursday threw out an initiative petition to put a taxpayer bill of rights proposal before state voters.

The court's order said the petition didn't have enough legal signatures and that "the evidence supports substantial illegal participation of out-of-state circulators."

Several prominent Oklahomans had filed a challenge to the petition, which would have become State Question 726. A Supreme Court referee earlier this year recommended the petition be tossed out.

A taxpayer bill of rights or TABOR would limit government spending and return part of the savings to taxpayers.

Supporters had hoped the proposal would make in on the Nov. 7 general election ballot.

The court's action came shortly after Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, announced the formation of Oklahomans for Good Government to back the TABOR effort.

Brogdon vowed to continue the fight, even if it meant collecting more signatures.

Tulsan Rick Carpenter, president of Oklahomans in Action, which circulated the petition, said he was disappointed by the court's action. He said he would have further comment after he read the court's order.

Oklahomans for Responsible Government hails supreme court decision

Aug. 31 Oklahoma City – Oklahomans for Responsible Government, the ballot campaign representing over 70 prominent Oklahoma business, social and community groups, strongly praised today’s Supreme Court order rejecting State Question 726, the so-called Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, or TABOR.

“This is an important victory for Oklahoma democracy,” said Kell Kelly, CEO of SpiritBank and spokesperson for the Oklahomans for Responsible Government committee. “The SQ 726 petition drive was conducted by out of state operatives that engaged in fraudulent and deceptive signature-gathering processes that threatened to make a mockery of our laws.” Kelly was among the two-dozen business and civic leaders that filed a lawsuit challenging SQ 726 that the court upheld today.

Oklahomans for Responsible Government vowed to remain vigilant in opposing the flawed and dangerous ideas behind the TABOR proposal.

The organization’s chairs, Ike Glass [CEO of Glass Trucking and Chairman of The State Chamber], Steve Turnbo [Chair of Schnake Turnbo Frank, Inc and Chair of the Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce], and Kirk Humphreys [CEO of Humphreys Real Estate Investments, LLC and Board of Directors Member for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce], stated, “We want to send a clear message that TABOR is not a solution for Oklahoma. TABOR has already been tried in Colorado and it took them many years and millions of dollars to undo the damage.”

They continued, “as Oklahomans, we are fully able to develop our own fiscally responsible ideas that will allow for adequate support for vital public services. We do not to recycle a failed bill of goods passing itself off as a bill of rights.”

Coalition members of the organization were encouraged by today’s Supreme Court decision, and expressed their resolve to oppose future attempts that would seek to impose this failed policy in Oklahoma.

Speaking on behalf of the state’s business community, Ike Glass, CEO of Glass Trucking and chairman of The State Chamber, stated “The State Chamber is delighted with the Supreme Court’s ruling as it will ensure appropriate investment will be made to develop the infrastructure that impacts our economy.”

Craig Jones, Oklahoma Hospital Association President, said, “we are pleased by the state Supreme Court’s decision today. TABOR was a threat to the health of Oklahoma’s most vulnerable citizens. We now have nearly 700,000 uninsured citizens in our state and Colorado’s experience has shown us that these numbers would likely grow under TABOR. We cannot risk the negative effects TABOR would have on quality and access to health care in Oklahoma and we will continue to oppose future efforts to bring this misguided initiative to our state.”

Jim Curry, Oklahoma AFL-CIO State President, commented, “the working men and women of Oklahoma are well-served by today’s Supreme Court decision. Our labor force relies on a strong public education system and access to quality healthcare. The prosperity, security and well-being of our working families and children are threatened by the misguided policies of TABOR.”

OKLAHOMANS FOR RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT is a nonpartisan, broad-based coalition of organizations and individuals who oppose State Question 726.