HB2814 PASSES The State House After Third Reading

March 11, 2010 by jenni

Thursday, March 11th, 2010, after a day of grieving the loss of our bill to restore the teaching of the Founding documents in Oklahoma public schools, HB2814 has passed a reconsideration vote and will be moved to the Senate for consideration.

Today, as I nurse a lack of feeling in three toes on my right foot and a back ache that four ibuprofin won't kill, I realize now that the five hours of standing in the lobby of the Oklahoma House of Representatives in dangerously high heels, talking to Representative after Representative was well WORTH IT!

Julie and I can't possibly thank those of you who called Representatives on behalf of the bill ENOUGH. You made the difference. Your voices were heard.

While we understand and agree with those Representatives (particularly the Republicans) that couldn't vote for the bill out of a dislike for further mandates on education, we are grateful for the opportunity to provide an awareness to Oklahoman's through our legislature about the true state of the teaching of history and civics in Oklahoma public schools.

Please, continue to follow the bill as it makes its' way to the Senate floor and then contact your senator and ask for his vote.

Julie and I realize very well that this bill is not a panacea. It's merely a band aid on the wound and a baby step in the general direction of restoring Oklahoma public education for those students that must endeavor to make use of it.

I have posted the votes below. Please, find it in your heart to thank the following Representatives for their support of this bill, particularly:
Rep. Sears and Rep. Jordan who will work with us and Representative Key to make this bill better as it moves to the senate!
Also, Rep. Ortega, Rep. Osborn, Rep. Thomsen, Rep. Ownbey, Rep. Faught, Rep. Fields, Rep. Watson, Rep. McCullough, Rep. Russ, Rep. Watson and Rep. Steve Martin for THEIR CHANGE IN VOTE! We couldn't have passed without these Representatives that were kind enough to hear our pleas!

Thank you again for all your efforts on behalf of HB2814. We truly appreciate your help. Hats off to you for making a difference!

Please know that Julie and I are completely committed to working with legislators such as Rep. Sears and Rep. Jordan to make this a bill that can really make a difference.

YEAS: 52
Armes
Jett
Miller
Schwartz
Christian
Johnson
Moore
Sears
Cooksey
Jones
Murphey
Shannon
Cox
Jordan
Nelson
Steele
Dank
Joyner
Ortega
Terrill
DeWitt
Key
Osborn
Thompson
Duncan
Kirby
Ownbey
Thomsen
Enns
Liebmann
Peters
Tibbs
Faught
Martin, Scott
Peterson
Watson
Fields
Martin, Steve
Reynolds
Wesselhoft
Hamilton
McCullough
Ritze
Wright, H.
Hickman
McDaniel, R.
Russ
Wright, J.
Jackson
McNiel
Sanders
Mr. Speaker

NAYS: 34
Auffet
Dorman
Luttrell
Richardson
Bailey
Glenn
McAffrey
Roan
Banz
Harrison
McPeak
Scott
Billy
Holland
Morrissette
Shelton
Brannon
Hoskin
Nations
Sherrer
Brown
Inman
Pittman
Shoemake
Cannaday
Kiesel
Proctor
Williams
Carey
Kouplen
Pruett
Collins
Lamons
Renegar

EXCUSED: 15
Blackwell
Derby
Morgan
Sullivan
Buck
Hilliard
Rousselot
Trebilcock
Coody
Kern
Shumate
Walker
Denney
McDaniel, J.
Smithson

CONSTITUTIONAL PRIVILEGE: 0