State House Republicans Unveil 2010 Agenda

By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- House Republicans are working on a number of measures to improve the fiscal and physical health of Oklahomans. That is going to be the framework of their 2010 legislative Agenda which they released Wednesday.

Unlike Senate Republicans, House leaders didn't shy away from speaking about the bad budget year.

House Speaker Chris Benge said every policy decision will be influenced by the budget and fixing that is a major part of getting the state back on track.

"I think we have to expect that the recovery is going to be slow and it might be a few years before we see a pre-2009 revenue," Benge said.

Benge wasted no time addressing what needs to be done to fix the gaping budget hole. He says the rainy day funds and stimulus money will likely be used and tough choices have to be made.

"I think it also would require that we look at the programs and agencies, and I think some restructuring will have to be a part of that discussion," Benge said.

That is just part of the legislative agenda for the House Republicans this year and so is making sure the money goes where it's supposed to be. Representative Jason Murphy of Guthrie is heading up the effort to make government spending more transparent.

"You as members of the press and the taxpayers can see more than ever how the taxpayers' dollars are being spent," Murphy said.

Taxpayers can also expect education reform to be debated on the House floor. Representative Anne Coody of Lawton says competitive pay for teachers and a first-class education are her priorities for 2010.

"We will work to protect education from budget cuts, improve standards, increase accountability and encourage local control," Coody said.

From education control to portion control there's even a bill to get Oklahomans to shape up.

"We want to encourage healthier living, healthier lifestyles in the state of Oklahoma and that will be out focus of this next legislative session," Rep. Kris Steele, House Speaker-Designate (R), Shawnee, said.

Abortion issues continue to be a focus for this legislative agenda. The courts said that law violated the single-subject rule because it was made up of six separate bills. Representative Pam Peterson says there are plans to introduce each piece of legislation as a separate bill this session.