State Capital News Service

OKLAHOMA CITY--For the first time in three years, House Democrats find themselves back at the budget negotiating table as a result of Democrat Gov. Henry's line-item veto of the proposed 2008 state budget.

?That's the assessment of some Cleveland County lawmakers in the wake of the governor's decision this week to reject a $6.9 billion spending plan negotiated by leaders of House and Senate.

?After returning from a family vacation in Mexico, Henry said he was using his line-item veto to strike everything from the budget bill except $92 million in emergency funds to help some cash-strapped state agencies make it to the end of the current fiscal year.

?Henry said he was vetoing the $6.9 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 because it shortchanged prisons, education and teacher retirement, and because his office and House Democrats were excluded from the negotiations that produced it.

?It would take a two-thirds majority, or 68 votes, in the House to override the governor's veto. That means at least 11 House Democrats would have to side with the House's 57 Republicans in voting against the governor, a fellow Democrat.

?That appears unlikely to happen, as evidenced by the fact that 43 of the 44-member House Democratic Caucus stood behind Henry in a symbolic display of solidarity as he announced his budget veto.

?"I want to commend the House Democrats for taking a strong stand against a very flawed process," Henry said. "They were very courageous in their stance. Obviously they were upset by the process...All of the players should have a seat at the table."

?State Rep. Bill Nations, D-Norman, one of 16 Democrats who voted against the budget bill two weeks ago, said Henry's veto was important because it helps ensure House Democrats will be included in future budget negotiations.

?He compared the current situation to the political environment that existed during the administration of Republican Gov. Frank Keating, whose veto pen helped empower House Republicans, who at the time were outnumbered by Democrats.

?"Previously the Republicans were the minority caucus in the House," Nations said. "And they had considerable power because Gov. Keating, a Republican, vetoed a considerable number of bills.? He needed those representatives to sustain his veto. Therefore they got to be included in negotiations. Maybe not directly, but through the governor's office their wishes and desires were represented in the process."

?Nations said House Democrats have had to wait three years to reap similar benefits, because Henry has tended to take a more bipartisan approach to governing, and has been reluctant to use his veto power.

?The shoe is now on the other foot because of the budget showdown, Nations said, and House Democrats are finally getting a place at the negotiating table.

?"This is the first opportunity in three years that we have had the opportunity to do what House Republicans did with Frank Keating," Nations said.?"And that is to leverage the situation into a little more input into the budgetary process."

?State Sen. John Sparks, D-Norman, agreed with Nations.