By Mike McCarville
In what is being viewed by some as a move to limit news coverage of it, an interim study on civil asset forfeiture reform will be held at a Tulsa police site rather than the normal site for hearings, the State Capitol.
The study is set for September 1st at the Tulsa Police Academy.
The controversial issue has drawn sharp opposition from some law enforcement officials, who argue it will dampen the war on drugs. On the other side, liberal and conservative groups, legislators and editorials have argued forfeiture is abused.
Senator Kyle Loveless, R-Oklahoma City, authored the reform bill.
Selection of the Tulsa police facility has some pointing fingers at the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, Senator Anthony Sykes. Sykes has not responded to The McCarville Report’s request for an explanation sent to his office.
Not only is the Tulsa site remote from Oklahoma City television stations and reporters and knowledgeable Capitol correspondents for The Oklahoman, the Tulsa World and The Associated Press, it will require out-of-state witnesses in favor of reform, already scheduled to fly into Oklahoma City at their own expense, to change flight plans or get to Tulsa on their own. Also, it hardly is a neutral site since most of law enforcement opposes the reform measure.
Loveless said he had no comment at this time.
The bottomless capacity for small mindedness and childish behavior by Oklahoma politicians continues to amaze me.
Back in the days of Democrat rule, we Republicans complained about abuse of power..Now the shoe is definitely on the other foot..