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Affirmative action foes file
 
By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
Published: 12/11/2007  12:25 AM
Last Modified: 12/11/2007  12:25 AM

The measure could be on the November ballot. Its critics say it could end affirmative action.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Supporters of an initiative petition to end preferences filed signatures Monday with the Oklahoma Secretary of State's office.

Critics said if the measure is approved by voters, it would end affirmative action programs.

Supporters filed 22 boxes of sig natures at 4:15 p.m. Monday, the deadline, said Tamra Laxson, a business filing specialist with the Oklahoma Secretary of State's office.

The measure would add a new section to the state constitution.

''The new section prohibits discriminating against or granting preferences to any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, col or, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, public education, and public contracting by the state or any of its agencies, institutions, or political subdivisions,'' the proposed ballot title says, adding that it would not prohibit actions necessary for the state to obtain federal funding.

The Oklahoma Secretary of State's office will count the signatures.

Supporters need 138,970 signatures.

If supporters have gathered sufficient signatures, a protest period will follow in the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

Notice of intent to seek the signatures was filed by Devin Resides, an Oklahoma City attorney, and the Oklahoma Civil Rights Initiative.

Resides said he did not know specifically

how many signatures were turned in, but it was enough to get it on the ballot.

''Oklahomans don't believe in preferences,'' Resides said.

Supporters hope to get the measure on the November ballot, Resides said.

Circulators were careful to comply with state laws in seeking signatures to get the measure on the ballot, Resides said, adding that Oklahoma's laws for circulating are restrictive.

''We were certainly able to gather enough signatures,'' Resides said. ''We are very proud we did that.''

He said those opposed to the petition will be able to express themselves at the ballot box.


Barbara Hoberock (405) 528-2465
barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com

By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau

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The Oracle, Tulsa (12/11/2007 3:42:08 AM)
Innocent citizens have been endangered by affirmative action.Persons who could not qualify without Quoats,and Preferences were given degrees and jobs that they were not capable of performing.These Quotas and Preferences endangered the health,safety,and welfare of innocent victims.
Report Comment
Bob 1, (12/11/2007 8:31:52 AM)
It's about time. Maybe everyone will stand on their own merits istead of hiding behind race or relgion This will be fair for everyone.............
Report Comment
tjb, Fallon,NV (12/11/2007 8:55:18 PM)
Affirmative action was designed to combat racist whites who had no intention of approaching integration

from a cooperative standpoint.

#1 Oracle, there are no quotas for a degree, but there are for admittance.

And if a person did obtain a degree from a college that let them in under affirmative action, then it's obviously

a sign that the program is a success.

Have you forgotten that it took the National Guard to escort CHILDREN to

school, to protect them from an angry

mob(led by the GOVERNOR of the state)? It's actually humorous to see both you and #2 Bob act like the 1960's never existed. And to think you usually

make so much sense...

Report Comment
tjb, Fallon,NV (12/11/2007 8:59:28 PM)
This proposal reopens the door

to that same type of thinking.

Just let that proposal pass---you only

think you've seen the "health, safety, and welfare of innocent victims" endangered.

Report Comment
BLAH, tULSA (12/13/2007 3:07:27 PM)
GREAT GREAT GREAT!!!! THIS LAW DISCRIMINATES! Hiring and admittance policy should be based on who is the most skilled, has the best grades and all other criteria that every person has the opportunity to achieve- NOT because they are a certain sex/race. GREAT GREAT GREAT!!!

 

 
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