TOPIC | Cockfighting

Taxpayer bill of rights moves to Oklahoma Supreme Court July 24, 2006 A state Supreme Court referee said Monday the taxpayer bill of rights petition to limit government spending doesn't have enough valid signatures to go before Oklahoma voters. Referee Greg Albert's ruling now goes to the Oklahoma Supreme Court which can accept or reject it. During the battle over... Read More

Cockfighting ring raided July 24, 2006 CARNEGIE - Federal agents arrested one man and cited about 70 spectators during a raid on a cockfighting ring Saturday. Shan Gachot, 42, faces felony charges for sponsoring and exhibiting fighting cocks and instigating and providing a pit for cockfighting. Gachot was the former manager at the Kiowa Grand... Read More

Petition drive compared to Watergate July 10, 2006 An attorney for a group challenging the so-called taxpayer-bill-of-rights initiative petition said Monday it should be thrown out because of "criminal activity" by circulators. "What we've got here in Oklahoma is TABORgate," said Kent Meyers, comparing actions of petition leaders and circulators to the Watergate... Read More

Police arrest man on cockfight charge June 21, 2006 John Earle had a feeling his neighbor’s chickens may be for more than laying eggs. “They told me they had 40 roosters, but only four hens,” said Earle, 55. “And that just doesn’t make sense.” When he saw men at the neighbor’s place holding up chickens and getting them to peck each other, he... Read More

Senate backs vote on animal rules March 15, 2005 Senators passed legislation Monday calling for a statewide vote to amend the state constitution to give residents the right to engage in rodeos and circuses and to hunt, trap, fish and take game and fish. The measure, Senate Joint Resolution 13, is authored by Sen. Jeff Rabon, D-Hugo. He previously said this... Read More

The Dome Is Falling! January 27, 2005 In Oklahoma, we take our lawmaking very seriously. We take our chickens seriously, too. So, whenever laws are proposed that affect the welfare of our state's chicken population ... well ... it's no poultry matter. Hence cometh ... Senate Bill 776 (aka) "The Rooster Emancipation Proclamation" -- penned by longtime... Read More

Mixed bag
Lack of reform sours 2004 session June 06, 2004 REVIEWS of the 2004 Oklahoma Legislature bring to mind a picture often used as a puzzler. Some look at the picture and see an old woman. Others see a young beauty. Gov. Brad Henry sees the 2004 session as one of the most productive in recent history, perhaps ever. Democratic leader Cal Hobson labels it the most... Read More

Mixed bag
Lack of reform sours 2004 session June 06, 2004 REVIEWS of the 2004 Oklahoma Legislature bring to mind a picture often used as a puzzler. Some look at the picture and see an old woman. Others see a young beauty. Gov. Brad Henry sees the 2004 session as one of the most productive in recent history, perhaps ever. Democratic leader Cal Hobson labels it the most... Read More

Legislators go home
Session ends with Senate's approval of lawsuit reform
Lawmakers achieve much, governor says May 29, 2004 Oklahoma legislators many facing the end of their legislative careers closed down the 2004 session Friday with the usual laughter, joking and some somber moments. More than 40 lawmakers, including House Speaker Larry Adair, D-Stilwell, cannot run for the Legislature again because of legislative term limits.... Read More

Legislators go home
Session ends with Senate's approval of lawsuit reform
Lawmakers achieve much, governor says May 29, 2004 Oklahoma legislators many facing the end of their legislative careers closed down the 2004 session Friday with the usual laughter, joking and some somber moments. More than 40 lawmakers, including House Speaker Larry Adair, D-Stilwell, cannot run for the Legislature again because of legislative term limits.... Read More

Status of legislation March 16, 2003 The status of some of the major legislation in the 2003 session of the 49th Oklahoma Legislature as of March 14: HB 1020 by Kirby -- English Only. Would make English the state's official language and require official state documents to be printed in English. Amended and passed by House Rules Committee; referred... Read More

Henry discusses plans for term December 15, 2002 Gov.-elect Brad Henry will face one of the worst budget crises in state history when he takes office next month. Henry sat down last week with editors and reporters at The Oklahoman to talk about his views on a variety of issues. He has definite ideas about taxes, budget cuts and improving education in the wake of... Read More

Cockfighters flocking to state? March 24, 2001 The cockfighting controversy isn't much of a real estate topic in most of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, or their suburbs -- and maybe not if you live in Lawton, Enid, Muskogee or McAlester. But if you live in Thackerville or Cartwright along the Red River, or Long or Gans in the eastern hills -- or any other spot in the... Read More