There’s nothing that scares Republican lawmakers more than giving more power to the people. Oklahoma is a politically conservative state, but when given the chance, voters have supported some fairly progressive issues in statewide votes, including Medicaid expansion and medical marijuana. That’s why the initiative petition process that puts issues on a statewide ballot has long been a threat to the most conservative groups. Republican lawmakers have recently advanced Senate Bill 1027, which would limit the number of petition signatures that can come from high-population areas, including Oklahoma and Tulsa counties. At its heart, this bill seeks to tamp down progressive voices and give more power to rural (and conservative) voters. “This is about suppressing a process,” said Sen. Regina Goodwin, a Tulsa Democrat. This bill is also about the most conservative Republicans assuring total dominance over policies throughout the state.
This article appears in OKC Ballet Shorts.
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