Politics & Government
Dem Floor Leader Releases Statement on House Judiciary Committee
Attacks Committee Chair Kannady's action in removing bill titles. Seen as attempt to hinder criminal justice reform.
OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. David Perryman (D-56, Anadarko, Chickasha) released the following statement regarding today’s House Judiciary Committee meeting after the chairman of the committee chose to remove the title from all legislation dealing with criminal justice reform. By removing the title, legislation is not binding and can be changed before being introduced on the House Floor.
“Striking the title off of several pieces of legislation because they deal with criminal justice reform is unprecedented,” Perryman said. “Criminal justice reform in Oklahoma is no longer a partisan issue. Democrats, Republicans, liberals and conservatives all see value in reforming our criminal justice system. Yet today, in 2019, we just had our last House Judiciary Committee meeting before the committee deadline, and we still don’t have one House criminal justice reform bill that has a title. The question has to be asked, what is keeping House Republican leadership from addressing this issue? Do they not understand the magnitude of problems facing our criminal justice system or do they simply not care?”
House Majority Leader Charles McCall (R-22, Atoka) and House Judiciary Committee Chair Chris Kannady (R-91, South OKC) have both been approached for comment but have yet to respond.