Democrats stage walk-out

NEWS 9

State House Democrats went back into session at the Capitol after walking out earlier Thursday morning.

The Democrats returned to session a half-hour after walking out of the Capitol. Democrats said they are angry over the way Republican-led committees have been treating Democrat-authored bills. Democrat Rep. Richard Morrisette, D-Oklahoma City, also expressed frustration over not allowing the public to speak during certain committee meetings.

"The goal of this is to have our 44 members have a voice in the process," said Rep. Morrisette. "We've been cut out of commitee meetings and bills be attacked. It's about fairness."

Specifically, the Democrats are upset with the way Ron Peterson has held up the proposals known as Steffanie's Law and Nick's Law, both of which would mandate insurance coverage.

Peterson is the chairman of the Economic Development and Finance Services Committee. He said he's holding the bills up because they could result in higher insurance costs.

Republicans counter the walk-out was nothing more than a political stunt to attract attention.