Positions unyielding in budget standoff   
Capitol Spotlight for weeklies for week of April 15, 2007
By Jim Campbell
OPA Capitol News Bureau

Day after day, Gov. Brad Henry and his legislative adversaries - in the standoff that followed veto of nearly $7 million in state spending - defended their positions, accused the other of intransigence and invited the other to talk.
They talked a lot to reporters; little if at all to each other.
The scenario featuring both sides and the media recalled Groundhog Day, the Bill Murray film about the frustrated TV weatherman reliving the same day time and again.
Conditions remained a barricade to personal contact. Henry insisted he would stick with the executive budget he spelled out in February and promised to veto any repackaging of portions of the general appropriations bill he had struck down.
That even included, he said, five agency appropriations mirroring amounts he included in his original spending plan.
House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, and Senate co-Presidents Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, and Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, said Henry's initial budget was made invalid by subsequent revenue figures and demanded a "comprehensive, detailed alterative."
Republicans and Morgan repeatedly referred to a remark made in a televised interview by State Treasurer Scott Meacham that the administration agreed with 90 percent of the Legislature's budget. "Tell us what they don't like," they said. 
"I said 90 percent of the agencies are OK," said Meacham, Henry's chief negotiator, "but not 90 percent of the total budget. It was on television so I didn't have time to explain."
He said areas that the administration did not buy included common education, higher education and corrections. A number of Henry's original spending programs, biofuels research and education for 3-year-olds died for lack of hearing in committees.
"The House stopped hearing any of our bills," Meacham said.
Both sides expressed optimism, tinged with frustration and sometimes couched terms not likely to foster endearment.
Cargill branded Henry's actions "theater of the absurd."
"He continues to sit on the sidelines and throw rocks at our ideas without submitting any of his own," the Speaker said several times.
Henry decried what he called "silliness" on the other side.
"Instead of wasting time on a political exercise in futility, legislative leaders should come to a negotiating table and hammer out a budget that addresses taxpayers' needs and includes input from everyone, not just a select few," said Henry, with House Democratic leader Danny Morgan of Prague at his side.
Senate leader Morgan said it was not true that Henry's people had not been ask to participate. He said the Senate was proceeding toward orderly adjournment before Memorial Day.
"What's really behind it all?" reporters asked repeatedly. "Pride? Politics?"
Lots of political possibilities lurk, with 2008 and 2010 in mind.
"I don't know," Henry said. "It could be."
HHH
A non-controversial volunteer immunity bill morphed into the centerpiece of the Legislature's lawsuit reform effort this year and the State Chamber of Commerce, which helped in its drafting, called on the business community to rally around it.
The House Judiciary and Public Safety Committee passed Senate Bill 507, 10-7, along party lines. It started as just a five-page bill, but blossomed into 105 pages before 14 amendments were attached in committee.
The next day the Chamber told members, "It is now time to contact your representatives and senators and let them know how important it is to pass this legislation. In anticipation of the passage of SB 507, it is also time to encourage Gov. Henry to sign this important piece of legislation."
The Chamber's statement said 28 of the key areas of tort reform Henry called for in 2004 are in the bill.
Supporters said inconsistency under the current system has produced higher medical malpractice rates, boosted health care costs and damaged economic development. Critics said it would shield wrongdoers from paying for their errors.
Provisions included a requirement that the loser in a "frivolous" lawsuit pay attorney fees and costs and a $300,000 cap on non-economic damages.
HHH
A task force intended to develop a long-term pay plan for Oklahoma's 34,000 state employees has been created in an executive order by the governor.
Nine members will be named by the governor and will work toward a final report by Jan. 1. Recommendations will be designed to attract and keep state workers, the order said.
Legislative leaders of both parties expressed initial approval for the study, which brought praise from the Oklahoma Public Employees Association.
OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zealey said worker turnover costs the state about $80 million a year.
HHH
Legislation declaring manure is not a toxic waste under state law passed the House.
Supporters of SB 709 by Sen. Ron Justice, R-Chickasha, and Rep. Terry Hyman, D-Leon, argued it was necessary because environmental extremists were using regulatory harassment and the threat of lawsuits to destroy the family farm.
HHH