Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin is defying a recent Oklahoma Supreme Court decision.
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin is defying the Oklahoma Supreme Court's recent order to
remove the Ten Commandments monument in front of the capitol building:
Fallin said Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt has asked the Oklahoma Supreme Court to reconsider its 7-2 decision that was handed down last week after a challenge by the ACLU of Oklahoma on behalf of three plaintiffs.
In addition, lawmakers have filed legislation to let people vote on whether to remove a portion of the state Constitution cited in the ruling.
From the
Oklahoma state Constitution:
No public money or property shall ever be appropriated, applied, donated, or used, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, or system of religion, or for the use, benefit, or support of any priest, preacher, minister, or other religious teacher or dignitary, or sectarian institution as such.
True to their word, Oklahoma legislatures are already scrambling to change their
state Constitution:
State Rep. John Paul Jordan, R-Yukon, filed House Joint Resolution 1036, a constitutional amendment to remove the cited portion of the Oklahoma Constitution - Article II, Section 5.
“After reviewing the Supreme Court’s 10 Commandments ruling, it is clear that we have a toxic provision in our state Constitution,” Jordan said in a news release. “It was written with discrimination in mind, and like a malignant tumor, needs to be removed completely. I am under the opinion the court’s strict interpretation of the language of Article II, Section 5 could have far reaching implications. It could possibly lead to the Native American artwork in the Capitol and State Supreme Court buildings being removed as much of it is religious in nature. In addition, it could lead to individuals on state funded insurance programs being unable to receive medical care as a large portion of hospitals in Oklahoma are supported by a religious affiliation.
Like a child having a temper tantrum, Oklahoma Republicans would rather take their ball and go home rather than play by the rules.