State House OKs display of Ten Commandments

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Legislation that lends state support to counties that display the Ten Commandments on public property passes the Oklahoma House.<br/><br/>The measure approved Tuesday would authorize

Wednesday, April 26th 2006, 6:14 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Legislation that lends state support to counties that display the Ten Commandments on public property passes the Oklahoma House.

The measure approved Tuesday would authorize the state Attorney General's Office to defend counties from lawsuits challenging public displays of the Ten Commandments.

County commissioners would have to get advice from the local district attorney or attorney general on how to display the Ten Commandments constitutionally in order for the attorney general to defend counties from lawsuits that challenge the display.

The bill also frees up state funds for district attorneys to cover the costs of defending legal challenges when the attorney general declines.