Spotlight 2/5/08
New Speaker chosen, Henry urges unity
Capitol Spotlight for Tuesday, Feb. 4 or thereafter
By Jim Campbell
OPA Capitol News Bureau
The new speaker of the Oklahoma House, chosen amid controversy that threatened to overshadow the usual pomp and ceremony of the Legislature's opening day, urged fellow House members to drop their stones and stop pointing fingers.
Action on the vacancy that had exposed divisions in GOP ranks preceded Gov. Brad Henry's plea for greater funding of priorities including education, teacher pay, research and corrections. Henry, a Democrat, repeated his frequent call for bipartisanship.
 "We must set aside partisan bickering and reactionary politics," Henry told a joint legislative session. "The people of Oklahoma have nothing to gain from petty quarrels, and our time is too precious to waste in gridlock."
Rep. Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, chairman of the key House Appropriations and Budget Committee, emerged from a four-candidate field following the tax-bedeviled withdrawals of the sitting speaker and speaker pro-tempore. The full House affirmed his election near the end of the day.
 "Instead of throwing stones and pointing fingers, we must move past the partisan bickering that often takes hold here at the Capitol, especially in election years," Benge said.
Henry's $7.3 billion budget proposes nearly $200 million in additional funding for education, $65 million of it for $1,200 teacher pay raises.
Benge found areas of agreement but cautioned, "I would ask how much it is going to cost and where we are going to get the money."
Estimates are the Legislature will have only about $32 million more in growth revenue to spend this year, a miniscule figure against demands. State Treasurer Scott Meacham said agencies initially requested $1.3 billion "more than we could spend." 
While Henry's goal is to move teachers' pay to the regional average, Benge said Republicans remain committed to performance pay raises.  He also urged follow-up on a previously approved income tax cut to 5.25 percent.
 "I don't have a personal agenda other than to bring this caucus together and elevate their ideas, "Benge said. "Today I promise the House Republicans are united and ready to get to work on the tough issues of our day."
Rep. Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, facing an ethics investigation related to fundraising by a political action committee, stepped down following published reports of failure to file state income tax returns and late payment of property taxes. Rep. Gus Blackwell, considered the odds-on favorite as his successor, bowed out after reports he also had been tardy in property tax payments.
Henry called for a permanent funding source for the EDGE Fund, intended to create high-pay, high tech jobs through research. He also proposed a $45 million bond issue to ensure completion of the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum now under construction in Oklahoma City.
A moment of silence was observed for 12-year former Rep. Opio Toure, D-Oklahoma City, who died Monday.