Veto could endure as election issue
Capitol Spotlight for weeklies for week of April 29, 2007
By Jim Campbell
OPA Capitol News Bureau
A ban on use of public funds in any abortion except to save the life of the mother, one vote shy of overcoming a governor's veto, could remain a political issue through next year's pre-election Legislature.
The author of Senate Bill 714 vowed to try an override "as many times as necessary" in the evenly split Senate through the rest of the 2007 Legislature and in 2008, as rules allow.
"Today's vote is just the beginning," said Sen. James Williamson, R-Tulsa.
Similar political pressure was expected from Gov. Brad Henry's veto of SB 507, a massive lawsuit reform measure supported by business and medical professions and opposed by royalty owners and others.
Senate co-President Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, said he did not think a veto override of the abortion bill would be "a regular event, but that Williamson would try at least one more time" this session.
Rules allow him to try again next year but there also could be new anti-abortion measures including the vetoed provisions in the 2008 session.
Sen. Charles Laster, D-Shawnee, designated by Democrats to be the next president pro tempore should they regain control of the Senate, switched from yes to no to cast the critical vote in sustaining Henry's veto by 31-17. A two-thirds majority is necessary to override a veto.
"I know some will be tempted to cast this vote in a political light or engage in personal attacks, but I would urge them to respect the decision made by each individual legislator," Henry said following the vote.
Pressure groups on both sides, including medical doctors and nurses, had worked the halls and phones since Henry's veto. Several senators mentioned being peppered with e-mail. Some took note of the political implications. 
Laster explained that he has consistently voted for pro-life legislation but said this bill "holds poorer Oklahomans to a different standard than anyone else and I can't support that."
"It does not allow an exception in the case of rape or incest and medical experts in Oklahoma believe this bill will undermine the relationship between doctors and their problems," he said. "The bill also interferes with private health insurance coverage."
Williamson said Laster's "flip flop on this life-and-death issue is surprising and disappointing."
"Sen. Laster will be hearing from many pro-life Oklahomans in the coming days," Williamson said. "There will be a lot of prayers that he will have a change of heart on the next override vote."
Besides the ban on state funds, facilities and employees, the bill requires people performing abortions to file paperwork showing they are following laws requiring informed consent of patients and notification of minors' parents.
Williamson also criticized Sen. Nancy Riley, D-Sand Springs, saying she "consistently voted pro-life" until she changed parties to the Democrats last year. 
Debate was brief compared with the three hours originally spent on the bill, with much of it similar to the three hours spent on April 18, when it went to the governor on a 32-16 vote.
Sen. Andrew Rice, D-Oklahoma City, said during debate that Riley was unfairly targeted in a letter to the editor by two Republican senators.
"I'm proud to stand here among people who are making a risky vote even though it may cost them at the election," Rice said.
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The Senate voted 40-7 to abolish the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, which oversees the legal sale of spirits, and give its duties to the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.
As written, the bill handed the job to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, but was amended by Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau, to change that in the proposal that would go to a vote of the people.
The bill returned to the House for acceptance of Corn's amendment.
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With a few subdued chuckles, state senators added toy pistols and water guns to the arsenal of "weapons" felons can not possess.
Sen.  Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau, said it was serious business, however, explaining that felons have been found to alter the toys to make them look real enough to use in a holdup.
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Legislation creating three tiers for sex offender residency passed the Senate unanimously with a new area of restriction.
Senate Bill 1760 by Sen. Todd Lamb, R-Edmond, was intended to determine where offenders may live, according to individual risk assessment. A new law earlier added 2,000-foot setbacks from playgrounds, parks or day-care centers to areas forbidden to sex offenders. 
It goes back to the House, amended to add churches.  Sen. J. Paul Gumm, D-Durant, said that was a request from a pastor in his district.
"Are we saying they can't live anywhere?" asked Sen. Richard Lerblance, D-Hartshorne.
"It's getting close to that," Gumm said.
Faced with shrinking areas open to them, some offenders have decided not to register at all. A published report said 860 sex offenders had disappeared from the registration list as of April.
Under state law, such relatively minor offenses as urinating in public can be defined as a sex offense.  New language would allow more freedom of residence to people with low-risk assessments.
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