Praises House Rules Committee for Action on HJR 1078

(OKLAHOMA CITY) – Oklahomans for Responsible Government (OFRG), a newly formed taxpayer advocacy group dedicated to promoting fiscal responsibility, accountability and transparency in state government, today urged the Oklahoma House of Representatives to quickly approve a term limits bill.

By a 5-4 vote Monday, the House Rules Committee approved House Joint Resolution 1078 by state Rep. Trebor Worthen (R-Oklahoma City). Worthen's bill would let Oklahoma voters decide whether to establish term limits for the offices of Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Auditor and Inspector, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Insurance Commissioner, State Treasurer, Labor Commissioner and the members of the Corporation Commission.

"The full House of Representatives has a chance to act quickly on this important issue. This truly is an issue that enjoys wide bipartisan support across Oklahoma and we hope the Legislature allows Oklahomans to have a say on term limits this November," OFRG Executive Director Curt Price said. "An overwhelming majority of Oklahomans support term limits because they know it fosters accountability in government. Term limits have fostered new reform-minded leadership from both parties at the Legislature and Oklahomans should be allowed to decide whether we want to continue to move the state forward by supporting term limits for other career politicians."

Polling data shows overwhelming support among Oklahoma voters for extending term limits to statewide office holders. A July 2007 survey of 1,000 likely voters by Pulse Opinion Research found that 77 percent of Oklahoma voters would vote for a measure setting term limits for executive offices. A December 2007 poll from the Tulsa World and KOTV found 73 percent of those surveyed supported setting term limits for statewide office holders.

Price also commended House Rules Committee Chairman Shane Jett (R-Tecumseh) for voting in favor of the measure and ensuring the bill had a fair hearing before the full Rules committee.

"We thank Chairman Jett for his leadership on this issue and for his support of allowing Oklahomans to have a say in this issue," Price said.

Editor's Note: The Senate is considering a similar term limits bill on its agenda. Senate Bill 1987 by Senator Owen Laughlin (R-Woodward).

Labels: OK Legislature