NewsOK
BY MICHAEL MCNUTT mmcnutt@opubco.com
Published: September 15, 2011
Legislation changing a fund for attracting businesses to Oklahoma is constitutional, an assistant state attorney general argued Wednesday before a state Supreme Court referee.
Jerry Fent, an Oklahoma City attorney, filed a legal challenge to the measure and wants the high court to strike down the legislation that was passed and approved this year.
He said Wednesday that House Bill 1953 is unconstitutional because it violates the separation of powers set out in the state constitution.
HB 1953, which took effect last month, changes the name of the Oklahoma Opportunity Fund, created in 2006, to the Oklahoma Quick Action Closing Fund.
It authorizes the governor to make the final decision on a project, subject to consultation with the speaker of the House and the Senate president pro tem.
Greg Albert, a Supreme Court referee who will file a report with the high court, asked both attorneys whether the legislation implied the legislative leaders would have veto power over the governor... FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Thu, September 15, 2011
by John Cox