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ROPE Report Withdraws From Save Oklahoma Plan Over E-Verify, But Supports Rest Of Author Rep. Jim Shaw’s Plan

Unfortunately, after having Representative Shaw on the show to talk about the Save Oklahoma Plan, Michael and I decided that we would remove ourselves from the plan.

Here’s a short video that I clipped from the beginning of our interview with Dr. Becky Pelham on why Oklahoma kids can’t read (which you simply must watch because Dr. Pelham is amazing and explains it beautifully – then share with your legislators) that explains why. Really, it’s only #4 on the plan – mandatory E-Verify.

Does this mean we don’t support Representative Shaw? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Of course we support Representative Shaw. The Save Oklahoma Plan can definitely save Oklahoma if we focus on the rest of the 6 points and then try to figure out ways to keep people here illegally from making cash at jobs sites – among other issues. Apparently, ICE and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (among other state agencies) are making a dent in the problem of illegals in Oklahoma – we should let them continue, while finding ways to catch those slipping through the cracks.

I wrote about several E-Verify issues in our last post, but our friend Knoxie (on X) wrote a really great post about why she is concerned about the E-Verify part of the SOP and it is great information. Check it out.

Bottom line is this – we support Representative Shaw and 6 of the 7 planks in the SOP.

If #4 is changed in some way, Michael and I will reevaluate and sign back on. In the meantime, the grassroots can’t get bent out of shape on the issue of who’s supporting the plan and who isn’t. Arguing with one another over this will create hard feelings and cause us to lose elections we need and possibly prevent good people from running against bad legislators. Let’s just agree to disagree and work together where we can. Next year are important elections. THOSE trump everything in importance. Let’s make sure we unite to get good people in the building a 23rd and Lincoln at all costs!

SB224 (re Student Data Collection) Passed By House On Fourth Vote After Failing In First Three

Tuesday, April 29th, SB224 – Creating the Oklahoma Education and Workforce Statewide Longitudinal Data System – was brought to the floor for a House vote following passage in the Senate 33 to 13. The bill failed in the House 35 to 56 with 7 absent.

At that time, author Representative Caldwell captured the bill to be reheard at a later time.

Thursday, May 1, the bill came to the House floor again, where it was voted down Ayes: 46 Nays: 37.

Then, a Motion to Rescind THAT vote was adopted Ayes: 51 Nays: 32.

The measure THEN passes Ayes: 51 Nays: 36 without the emergency clause.

Representative Tom Gann – who argued against the bill on the floor – wrote a Press Release concerning the unprecedented THREE votes the bill received on the 1st. That press release was read live on the air after it was sent, but Gann was advised that it would NOT be placed on the House website for publication. Please see below for a copy of that press release.

Rep.-Tom Gann, R-Inola Issues Statement on Bonus Vote of SB224 and Warns of the Dangers of Setting New Policy

Representative Tom Gann released the following statement on the unprecedented bonus vote taken by the house on Thursday on Senate Bill 224.

“On Thursday, May 1, 2025, Representative Kyle Hilbert, Speaker of the House, took actions regarding SB224 that did not align with the House Rules of the 60th Legislature. 

House rules dictate that once a bill is defeated it is not eligible for additional consideration. The House vote to defeat SB224 was considered final action under the rules.

However, Hilbert, while presiding over the house allowed an additional bonus vote to occur by which the bill was approved. This breaks with years of clearly established House precedent that prevents never ending bonus votes on failed legislation and opens up a Pandoras box of potential abuse. 

What other bills will be allowed a bonus vote?”

The relevant house rule and written precedent are attached to this release.

House Rule 6, Bills And Resolutions,

6.8 – Final Action

(a) The following action shall constitute final action on any bill or resolution:

1. committee recommendation, including any oversight committee recommendation or any policy committee recommendation of “Do Not Pass”;

2. if a motion to reconsider the vote on Third Reading or Fourth Reading fails to prevail or expires;

3. if a motion to table the motion to reconsider prevails; or

4. if a vote is taken on Third Reading or Fourth Reading and no notice is served to reconsider the vote.

(b) If final action is such as to defeat a bill or resolution, no other bill or resolution having the same effect and covering the same specific subject matter shall be considered by the House of Representatives during either session of the current Legislature.

Page 53

On page 209 of Precedents

6.8 – 4 (2010) Motion to Rescind May Not Be Used to Avoid Final Action

Rule – House Rule 6.8, paragraph (a) states in part:

(a) The following action shall constitute final action on any bill or resolution:

…a motion to reconsider the vote on Third Reading or Fourth Reading [that] fails to prevail…

History – Representative Nelson moved to reconsider the vote whereby Senate Bill 2207 failed, which motion failed of adoption. Representative Nelson moved to rescind the vote whereby the reconsideration motion failed.

Representative Reynolds raised a point of order stating that the motion to rescind was dilatory.

15 Okla. H. Jour., 1542, 1543, 52nd Leg., 1st Reg. Sess. (April 27, 2009).

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