Despite news items in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa newspapers
today, the textbook disclaimer on evolution has not been
rejected.  As a House amendment to Senate Bill 346 the Senate
yesterday voted to accept  (22-19) the amendment (only a
majority of those present in the chamber is required to on a
motion to accept amendments.  The bill with amendments then
failed (23-17) for lack of a majority vote of the entire
Senate.  Sen. Pruitt (Republican) , author of SB 346, then
moved for a vote to reconsider.  He said  "There is a
possibility we will be able to line up two additional votes
and pass the bill later this week with a bipartisan majority."
This bill is NOT bipartisan:  EVERY Republican senator voted
for the bill; almost all Democrats voted against.  Many
believe that the Republicans want to get a recorded floor vote
of the Democrats so they can use that against them in the next
particularly with certain religious groups. A similar action seems to
be in play on an anti-abortion
amendment on another bill.  The main bill also has strong
opposition and support from various groups. Many think the
main bill is a bad one, but the 'disclaimer' debate is being
used both for and against the main bill, which supporters
believe is more important that the disclaimer amendment. 
Oklahoma politics as usual. 
I have attached a voting list on the bill (notice those absent
marked with an E) and an article describing some of the debate
on the Senate floor (e.g., Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson, R,OKC said
that by teaching evolution Oklahoma schools were going against
the Federal mandate.!! What mandate, we ask?).  

The motion to reconsider SB 364 must occur by Friday.  Thus, those
who oppose textbook disclaimers need to way in fast - only two votes
either way can determine the outcome. 
      
Please call the following [most important listed first] Senators
offices (leave message with assistant that answers telephone) and urge
them to BE PRESENT AND VOTE AGAINST SB 264.  Emails and letters will
be too late.  Many do not read emails regularly or they do not get
passed on by staff. They do not need to be your own senator, since
this is an action that influences State education as a whole, etc. 
PLEASE HELP. 

PRIORITY LIST:
Sen. Sam Helton      521-5563    One of few Demos who voted            
                                 (surprisingly) for the
                                 bill. 

Sen. Robert Kerr     521-5612        "                 "                             

Sen. Keith Leftwich  521- 5557   Was excused and did not vote.
 
Sen. Ben Robinson    521- 5533   Was excused and did not vote.

______________________________________________________

To reaffirm other Democratic votes, call other Senators below at
524-0126 and ask to be connected to their office:

Senators Ted Fisher, Stratton Taylor, Gilmer Capps, Angela Monson,
Herb Rozell, Bernest Cain, Kenneth Corn, J. Paul Gumm, J. Berry
Harrison, Maxine Horner,Charles Laster, Daisy Lawler, Rick
Littlefield, Mike Morgan, Jeff Rabon, Dick Wilkerson, Penny Wiiliams. 
Calls to Reublicans (not listed) would be a waste of time; they are
not going to go against their leadership on this one.  

To all who care, my appreciation

vic hutchison