Republican fighting republicans in state politics too

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Oklahoma House calls rare mandatory member roll call

By TIM TALLEY Associated Press
Published: 3/8/2011 

OKLAHOMA CITY — Republican state House leaders used a rare parliamentary roll call Monday to compel disgruntled members of their own caucus to be in the chamber during a vote on a bill that would redefine the responsibilities of the state's Board of Education and schools superintendent.

The roll call, known as a call of the House, was imposed during voting on the measure's emergency clause when several conservative members of the GOP caucus were not present. House sergeants closed the chamber's doors and stood in front of them to prevent any member from leaving. Other sergeants were instructed to find the missing members and escort them inside.

It marked only the second time since Republicans took the majority in the House in 2004 that a call of the House was ordered. The chamber remained in lockdown for about an hour before the doors were finally reopened after the emergency clause failed.

Afterward, Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, called the maneuver a "strong-arm mechanism" that was employed because GOP House Speaker Kris Steele, the legislation's sponsor, did not have enough votes to pass the emergency clause that permits the bill to go into effect as soon as it is signed by the governor.

"That was one of the most unprecedented uses of authority that we've had in recent memory," said Terrill, who was absent from the chamber when the roll call was ordered, but eventually voted against the emergency clause.

Terrill, a conservative member of the GOP's House caucus, said some of his conservative colleagues essentially boycotted the vote because they disagree with rules supported by Steele and other House leaders that they believe are oppressive and deny hearings on legislation they support. Steele's bill modifies administration of the Department of Education to allow the superintendent to make personnel decisions. Republican lawmakers filed legislation to strip power from the board appointed by former Democratic Gov. Brad Henry following a heated meeting in January with new Republican Superintendent Janet Barresi in which the board refused to authorize the hiring of some of Barresi's staff.

An emergency clause requires a two-thirds vote, or 68 of the 101 House members, in order to pass. But with some Republicans missing and Democrats voting against the measure, the emergency clause received only 63 votes, pushing the effective date back to Nov. 1.

Rep. Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow, was among about five GOP House members who stayed out of the chamber during the vote on Steele's bill. When questioned afterward, Ritze would not explain his action.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said.

"We have some very profound issues with rules that were adopted by the House," Terrill said. Some conservatives disagree with procedures used for adopting the rules and want "fair and equitable treatment under the rules," he said.

Steele, of Shawnee, said rules that govern the operation of the House are needed for the chamber to conduct business.

"It may not be to everyone's satisfaction," he said. "No one has made the effort to approach me or talk to me directly about that."

The House speaker also said he does not know if his appointment of a special investigative committee last month to look into allegations that led to a felony bribery charge against Terrill in Oklahoma County may have angered Terrill and other GOP House members.

Prosecutors say Terrill was part of a legislative scheme to give former Democratic Sen. Debbe Leftwich an $80,000-per-year job in exchange for not seeking re-election to her south Oklahoma City seat so Rep. Mike Christian, R-Oklahoma City, could run for it. Leftwich, who did not seek re-election, has been charged with soliciting or accepting a bribe. Christian was re-elected to his House seat and was not charged.

Terrill and Leftwich have denied the allegations. They each could face up to two years in prison and a $1,000 fine if convicted.