Oklahoma Legislature Set To Open With Controversy

Governor Frank Keating gives his State of the State speech Monday. The theme of it will be "the year of the teacher." <br><br>Some lawmakers plan to boycott the speech because they believe Keating disgraced

Sunday, February 6th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Governor Frank Keating gives his State of the State speech Monday. The theme of it will be "the year of the teacher."

Some lawmakers plan to boycott the speech because they believe Keating disgraced teachers earlier this week. Governor Keating unveiled his budget on Wednesday, calling it a tribute to teachers.

The Governor is pledging a 123 million dollar increase for schools, including enough for a state wide 2-thousand dollar pay raise for teachers. Each district would decide how the money is given out based on school performance. But on Monday, some lawmakers say Keating dishonored teachers by saying Homocide is the answer on how he deals with teacher unions and all their grief.

"His remarks Monday, was the straw that broke the camels back," says Rep. Darrell Gilbert.

Gilbert says he's tired of Keating's degrading comments, so he's not going to attend the State of the State.

"If you want to call it a boycott, it's a boycott. I've got better things to do than listen to the governor," says Gilbert.

Democrat Representative Al Lindley of Oklahoma City says he's boycotting, because if a child would've made those comments to a teacher he would have been bounced out of school.

House Speaker Loyd Benson, also a democrat, says there is no organized boycott. Republican representative Michael Thornbrugh of Tulsa hopes lawmakers honor their positions and the Governor.

"I think it is very important that we represent our constituents and this is in our chair and on that floor," says Thornbrugh.

Since Keating has already revealed his budget requests, some lawmakers say seeing who walks out, may be the most interesting thing about Monday's State of the State. Governor Keating is also pledging 40 million dollars for colleges and universities. And he's asking for more than 42-million dollars of the tobacco settlement money to go to keep rural hospitals from closing.