See below for an article on our Oklahoma Float in Ponca City, OK.

See below for an article on our Oklahoma Float in Heavener, OK.

See below for an article on our Oklahoma Float in Hobart, OK.

From the Bixby Bulletin:

Oklahomans for Initiative Rights, a statewide organization dedicated to the reform of Oklahoma’s initiative and referendum (I&R) process, is joining grassroots activists from across the state in applauding the State Legislature for passing HB 2246, legislation which extended the signature collection period for petitions from 90 days to 1 year.

The group is calling on Governor Brad Henry to sign HB 2246 along with another initiative bill that passed earlier this week. “The people of Oklahoma have spoken and the Legislature has listened” said Sapp, “Now it is up to Governor Henry to do his part in letting Oklahoma vote by signing both HB 2246 and SB 800 into law.”

SB 800, which got final passage Tuesday, streamlines the process for setting the “gist statement” and ballot title and prevents signatures from being thrown out on mere technicalities.

“This is another huge victory for ballot initiative rights in Oklahoma” said Norma Sapp, Executive Director of Oklahomans for Initiative Rights. “We now have two major reforms to the initiative process that have enjoyed bi-partisan support in the legislature on the governor’s desk. This is a major step forward for the citizens of this state”(…Read More)

See below for an article on our Oklahoma Float in Sulphur, OK.

Here in Oklahoma we have the toughest ballot initiative process in the country. With only 90 days to collect hundreds of thousands of signatures, it’s no wonder that only three initiatives have made the ballot in the last ten years! Right now, we have a historic chance to change that, but only if you contact Governor Brad Henry today.

Ask Governor Henry to do his part to clean up the initiative process and give Oklahomans time to petition by signing two important initiative reform bills that passed the legislature overwhelmingly.

These bipartisan bills—Senate Bill 800 and House Bill 2246—make important improvements to the initiative process. HB 2246 increases the 90 day time limit for circulating a petition to one year, giving citizens enough time to collect signatures. SB 800 streamlines the process and protects citizens from having petitions unjustly thrown out on a mere technicality.

I have traveled all over the state in the past few weeks talking to citizens at the grassroots level about the initiative process. After going to 70 cities and towns and braving nearly as many tornadoes, I can tell you firsthand that the people of Oklahoma want an accessible initiative process. Right now we can have it.

Both of these bills are on the governor’s desk waiting for his signature. These changes are desperately needed to give Oklahomans back a voice in government. Pick up the phone right now and call the Governor’s office at (405) 521-2342. You can also email the governor by clicking here.

See below for an article on our Oklahoma Float in Kingfisher, OK.

Today is a great day for citizen rights here in Oklahoma! The legislature has finally passed House Bill 2246 with 41 voting for the bill and none against in the Senate. Now Governor Henry has two popular and important ballot initiative reform bills on his desk, and we need to tell him to sign them!

HB 2246 will move the restrictive 90 period to get signatures on a petition to a full year. This is going to give the people of this state a voice in government like those who wrote our initiative rights into our state constitution intended.

I’ve been all over this state talking to grassroots supporters of the ballot initiative process, and the legislature has heard their voices loud and clear, we need to Let Oklahoma Vote. After having the toughest initiative process in the country for years we’ve seen three major reform bills this year. Senate Joint Resolution 13, Senate Bill 800, and now House Bill 2246 have passed through the legislature. SJR 13 goes on to the voters and the other two bills just need the governor’s signature.

Now it’s time for one last push to get HB 2246 and SB 800 signed into law! Call the governor’s office right now and tell him to sign these bills. His number is (405) 521-2342. You can also email him to tell him to Let Oklahoma Vote.

Norma

See below for an article on our Oklahoma Float in Oklahoma City, OK.