Gov, Legislature Continue Political Dance On End Of Session Results
Oklahoma governor, lawmakers exchange political messages
by Randy Ellis
Gov. Mary Fallin said she vetoed 15 state House bills April 29 to send the Legislature a message: It’s time to “step it up” and deal with serious issues.
The Legislature sent the governor back a political message Thursday — overriding her veto on a firearms bill backed by the National Rifle Association, one of the most powerful lobbying and constituent groups at the state Capitol.
“I hope we can now move past the political games of vetoing important legislation, such as the bill protecting Second Amendment rights of Oklahomans, so we can get back to the serious issues left this session,” House Speaker Jeff Hickman said in a news release.
While the governor and House speaker are both Republicans, minority House Democrats also have joined in the veto override fray.
Twice within the past week, Democratic House members initiated unsuccessful veto overrides on Republican-authored bills that were expected to be popular with voters.