By Patrick B. McGuigan

Published: 03-Feb-2010

In response to questions from CapitolBeatOK, Speaker of the House Chris Benge said this afternoon (Feb. 3) that House Joint Resolution 1054, a proposed constitutional amendment, would be pulled from consideration by the House Rules Committee.

“There are already nine state questions set to be on the ballot this year, with an additional 31 state questions introduced this year, not to mention the 13 questions that are still eligible for consideration from last year,” Benge, a Tulsa Repubican, told CapitolBeatOK. “We are working to manage the number of state questions to avoid overloading the ballot.”

Yesterday, multiple sources requesting anonymity had told CapitolBeatOK the measure might be stricken from the committee’s docket. The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Mike Ritze of Broken Arrow, had remained optimistic the bill would be heard.

The proposal is tagged the “Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act.” It is similar to legislation filed this year in at least 36 states.