My Television Bill

Murphey Wants To Televise State Government

OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahomans may soon have the opportunity to observe state government in a new way. State Representative Jason Murphey (R-Guthrie) announced sponsorship of House Bill 1039 which requires the creation of C-SPAN style televised content of legislative floor and committee meetings, state executive board meetings and supreme court proceedings.

Murphey's legislation requires the content to be made available to the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA) and all Oklahoma licensed television operators. Murphey believes that with the additional delivery capacity provided to telecasters by digital service, a large number of Oklahoma homes will have access to the televised coverage.

Murphey modeled his legislation based on what other states have done to broadcast government proceedings. "Other states began providing C-SPAN like coverage of government. I think it is important for Oklahomans to have the same access to state government," he said.

Murphey said his desire to advocate for televised government was reinforced by the 2006 judicial retention ballot returns. He observed that the difference between the five judges up for retention was only 2.8%. "If people could see the Supreme Court on television then I think they would be able to form opinions about individual justices on whom they are voting."

This is not the first time Murphey has worked to open up government via television. In 2001, Murphey campaigned for Guthrie City Council on a platform of televising local government proceedings. He successfully passed a resolution establishing the existence of the Guthrie municipal channel, which became one of the most effective local government telecasts in the state.

Murphey credited the Guthrie telecast with defeating an effort to needlessly increase local taxes. "In local government we saw first hand what a difference it made when people were empowered with the knowledge of what was going on. Now I would like to work for the same in state government."

For more information about Oklahoma State Representative Jason Murphey visit www.HouseDistrict31.com.