Okla. Workers’ Comp Reform Held up in Senate as Parties Spar

The Oklahoma House of Representatives passed bi-partisan workers’ compensation reform with the approval of Senate Bill 846, backed by Gov. Brad Henry, a Democrat, but Senate passage of a workers’ comp measure was stalled as Democrats walked out of the chamber to avoid a vote on House Bill 2046, supported by Lt. Governor Mary Fallin, a Republican.

On April 28, at the request of Senate Republicans, Okla-homa Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin took control of the Senate in an effort get an up-or-down vote on HB 2046, by Senator Scott Pruitt.

Incensed at the Republicans’ refusal to negotiate on the bill, Democrats pulled a no-show. All 22 GOP senators reported to the Senate floor, but 25 senators are needed to achieve a quorum.

“Senate Democrats are shirking their duty to their constituents by refusing to report to work in the Senate. Senate Republicans reported to the Senate floor ready to work, while Senate Democrats are in hiding to avoid an up-or-down vote on a real workers’ comp reform,” stated Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, in reaction to the Democrats’ walk-out.

Democrats had hoped to amend the bill by striking the title to ensure the measure would remain alive and be considered by a joint Senate-House conference committee.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Charlie Laster claimed the Republicans are responsible for the failure of HB 2046.

“I’m sure the Senate Republicans will try to blame us now, but they’re the ones who have walked away,” Laster said. “I am hopeful the Republicans will join us in seeking a workers’ compensation reform compromise in the four short weeks we have left.”

SB 789 was amended in the House to include many of the provisions included in HB 2046, which structured reforms with the goal of achieving a minimum of $100 million reduction in workers’ comp premiums for Oklahoma businesses. The primary focus of SB 846 is a reduction in medical costs.

For his part, Gov. Henry has urged legislative leaders to work out legislation that includes the best features of both measures.

Senate Assistant Majority Leader Jeff Rabon, a Hugo Democrat, accused Lt. Gov. Fallin and the Senate Repub-licans of blocking workers’ comp reform.

Rabon noted that although time is dwindling away two measures remain alive that address the issue. However, Rabon said Republicans in the Senate do not have the majority and maintained that they need to stop acting as if they do.

“Their ‘my-way-or-the-highway’ approach to workers’ compensation will get them no closer to a bill being signed into law than did their childish political games that played out … in the Senate chamber,” Rabon said. “When they are truly ready to continue good faith negotiations and are willing to stop their gubernatorial campaigning then we will be able to act on the two measures that are still out there to address workers’ compensation reform.”

Rabon said Lt. Governor Mary Fallin needs to do the ceremonial things she does in her job and allow the Senate do conduct the business of the people of whom they were elected to serve.

“Under Senate rules that were adopted by a majority vote at the beginning of the legislative session, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate or the person he designates shall preside over the Senate,” Rabon said. “After these rules were adopted by both parties, the Republicans don’t want to play by the rules and want to instead, march to the beat of their own political drum.”

Rabon said Senate Democrats chose not to answer a quorum call initiated by the lieutenant governor because Senate Democrats believe workers’ compensation reform is far too important an issue to allow one member to stop good faith negotiations.

According to Sen. Coffee, Oklahoma’s constitution clearly names the lieutenant governor as “the president of the senate,” and says that the duty of the president pro tempore is to preside over the Senate “in the absence or in place of the Lieutenant Governor.”