Lawmakers speak on new law allowing Ten Commandments public display in light of voters rejecting

Lawmakers speak on new law allowing Ten Commandments public display in light of voters rejecting similar measure


OKLAHOMA CITY — After voters rejected a state question that would have allowed a Ten Commandments monument on public property, lawmakers recently approved legislation that could have the same effect.

On Nov. 8, 2016, voters rejected State Question 790 that would have removed a portion of the Oklahoma Constitution cited in an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision in 2015 that led to the removal of the privately funded Ten Commandments monument at the state Capitol.

State Question 790 was rejected, with 57.12 percent voting against removing statutory language that prevents public money from supporting a religion. The state question passed in only three House districts — two in northwestern Oklahoma and another near Lawton — and in no Senate district.

Despite that, lawmakers passed and Gov. Mary Fallin in May signed House Bill 2177 by Rep. John Bennett, R-Sallisaw, and Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow. Neither lawmaker could be reached for comment.

Read more: http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/capitol_report/lawmakers-speak-on-new-law-allowing-ten-commandments-public-display/article_f86ed487-d192-5f59-b3b6-20bb2678da5e.html