February 18, 2009
The Year of Reform?
This year has brought good news for freedom and democracy in Oklahoma.
Last month, the state's attorney general, Drew Edmondson, dropped his appeal of
a federal court decision, which had overturned part of Oklahoma's petition law.
The AG also dismissed all charges against the Oklahoma Three — Rick Carpenter,
Susan Johnson and me.
Hopefully, with the end of this politically motivated prosecution, the chilling
effect it has had on Oklahomans who want to petition government will quickly
dissipate.
But still, as State Senator Randy Brogdon points out, Oklahoma's petition
process remains “the most onerous . . . in the nation.” That's the bad news.
The good news? Senator Brogdon and State Representative Randy Terrill aim to
change all that. They've introduced legislation to “tear down many of the
roadblocks that currently prevent the people from exercising their First
Amendment rights.”
There's a constitutional amendment to lower the signature requirements on
petitions, now the highest percentage in the nation. A separate statute would
give citizens a year to collect signatures, rather than the short 90-day window
currently required. That statute would also clean up the process to prevent
petitions from being thrown out arbitrarily.
Only three out of 24 initiative petitions this decade have made the Sooner
State's ballot. “Perhaps relief is on the way,” wrote The Oklahoman newspaper.
Brogdon says, “2009 could be the year for reform.”
Now is exactly the right time.
This is Common Sense. I'm Paul Jacob.
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Paul Jacob is President of Citizens in Charge and the Citizens in Charge
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The opinions expressed in Common Sense are Paul Jacob's and do not necessarily
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