Oklahomans sound off why 'There Ought to be a Law'

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- There ought to be a law against exorbitant car tag prices. That's what a large number of Tulsa World readers say. More than 500 readers responded to a survey dubbed â€œThere

Monday, February 7th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- There ought to be a law against exorbitant car tag prices. That's what a large number of Tulsa World readers say. More than 500 readers responded to a survey dubbed â€œThere ought to be a Law.â€

Readers aired their grievances on everything from the price of car tags to people who use cell phones while they're driving. Gov. Frank Keating liked many of the ideas. "This is an example of representative democracy at its best," Keating told the World. "It's virtual democracy."

Some ideas are already on the legislative program. Others may follow. A considerable chunk of responses came on taxes and license plates. The sales tax on items like food was a hot issue for readers. One reader wrote in, "Do Not Tax Food. I would challenge all lawmakers who style themselves 'Christian' and claim to be supporters of 'family values' to demonstrate those views by eliminating all taxes on food."

Keating said it was obvious by the volume of e-mails that cutting or eliminating sales taxes is important. "Message received. Message understood, and action to betaken," he said. And a large group of readers said there needs to be reform instate license plate policy. Many readers suggested that talking on a cell phone while driving should be illegal.

Although Keating confessed to talking on his cell phone in the car, he said the idea deserves a look. "We'll go to the police and the highway patrol and see if lots of accidents are caused by cell phones," said Keating. But the governor cautioned people not to jump too fast on the issue. "Let's look and see if there is any empirical evidence of any accidents," he said.

Sand Springs Police Sgt. Mike Carter said attempting to elude a police officer should be a felony, not a misdemeanor. "I think that's a great suggestion," said Keating. Another idea liked by the governor was making the anti littering signs along state highways more direct, similar to the straight forward signs in New Mexico that simply say "Don't Litter."

Several readers offered a suggestion to pass right-to-work legislation, a proposal long touted by Keating. Readers said teachers should be offered merit pay or raises. "That's going to happen," said Keating. There was a strongly mixed response to the issue of capital punishment with some urging it to be abolished, others saying there needs to be faster, harsher executions. Some other issues were legalizing tattooing, allowing adopted children access to birth records, requiring driving tests for older drivers and increasing the budget for child abuse programs.