"For the Kids" - REALLY, Mr. Shortey?

   Senator Ralph Shortey has been suspended by the Oklahoma Senate for "disorderly behavior" and charged with three felonies, including "child prostitution". Before being suspended and charged, however, he authored and supported several bills, which he said were for "child welfare and child safety" (for our school children). Senate Bill 512, authored by Mr. Shortey, would have drastically changed Oklahomans' will (by making illicit drug possession and usage within 1000 feet of certain public property a felony instead of possible misdemeanor). It is now dead and Shortey has been removed as its principal author. House Bill 1482, identical to SB 512 and supported by Shortey, passed the House and now awaits a vote in the senate. HB 1482, authored by Biggs and Downing of the House and Stanislawski of the Senate, has also been claimed to represent "child safety and welfare". Many Oklahoma voters and citizens are now questioning whether Mr. Shortey is really concerned about child welfare, or really only concerned about Ralph Shortey's welfare. He will not be allowed to vote for HB 1482, and its principal authors may not now support it, so it may not pass the senate.
   Senate Bill 560, authored by Rob Standridge and formerly co-authored by Ralph Shortey, is a school voucher bill which was also said to be "for the kids". Mr. Standridge pulled the bill from consideration two weeks ago, for lack of senate support. SB 560 is now unlikely to be re-considered or revived in another bill, because of Senator Shortey's former support. Again, like Senate Bill 512 and House Bill 1482, Senate Bill 560 may be all about Senator Ralph Shortey's well-being instead of our kids' safety and benefits.