OK Charter School Bill Faces Legal Challenge

Opposing attorney says it illegally addresses two subjects

An Oklahoma City attorney told a state Supreme Court referee Tuesday that a charter school bill amended in the final days of the 2012 Legislature to include a $30 million appropriation for textbooks is unconstitutional.

Attorney Jerry Fent said that Senate Bill 1816, which was signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin and went into effect on July 1, contains two subject matters in violation of the Constitution's prohibition on logrolling, or passing legislation with multiple subjects.

Fent said the practice gives lawmakers an all-or-nothing choice and that the entire bill should be struck down as unconstitutional.