Lawmakers pass retirement funding bills, other controversial measures on last day of session
More money for retirees and a battle over abortion were top of the controversial headline-bills from a busy last day of session at the Oklahoma Capitol.
Retired state workers told KOCO 5 on Friday that they are happy because for the first time in 12 years, they will get more money every month from their pension plan after the state House and Senate nearly unanimously passed a piece of legislation. Not only were retirees happy, but there was bi-partisan applause when it was announced that a cost-of-living increase for retired state employees had been passed.
The bill gives state retirees as much as a 4% increase in their pension every month.
Other bills that passed on Friday were more contentious. One of those bills would allow parents and grandparents of an aborted fetus to sue the doctor who performed the operation if they feel they had been given bad information or were pushed into doing it.
"They've been coerced and also taken advantage of by an industry that harms women, and then they have no recourse," said Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola.
Democrats argued that the bill is unnecessary and a piece of political football in an election year.
"You can already sue a doctor, a clinic, anyone if they don't obtain your informed consent, or are negligent or intentional with any wrongdoing," said Rep. Emily Virgin, D-Norman.
Other bills that passed on the final day of Oklahoma's legislative session included a measure that would fund Gov. Kevin Stitt's plan for Medicaid expansion.
Later in the day, lawmakers also passed a bill that would forbid the state to do business with any company boycotting Israel. Republicans call the measure a no-brainer while Democrats claim it violates companies' freedom of speech.
The newly passed bills now head to Stitt's desk for his signature.