A repeal of the state constitution’s prohibition on public funds or property being used for religious purposes will likely go to voters this fall.
After the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled Article 2, Section 5 of the state constitution meant a Ten Commandments monument at the capitol had to go, some feared the court would go after public funding for hospitals with religious affiliations.
Rep. David Brumbaugh was among 86 voting for the measure.
"We could say that this would take money away from churches and hospitals, all these types of things," Brumbaugh said. "But wouldn't you agree that this is taking it to the vote of the people where it belongs?"
Oklahoma House members spent more than two hours on the matter, passing the resolution to put it on the ballot two days after Senators did. Rep. James Lockhart was among 10 voting against the measure. He said a repeal will leave no provision for separation of church and state in the state constitution.
"I think that this has been fought for by our veterans ever since the founding of our country, and our inherent, inalienable rights are certainly under assault today," Lockhart said.
Speaking in support of his resolution, Rep. John Paul Jordan said not repealing Article 2, Section 5 of the constitution leaves things like a public Christmas light display in Chickasha vulnerable to lawsuits.
Rep. David Perryman said that hasn’t been a problem yet.
"That's been there all this time, and now, for you to bring that up and say, 'Oh, we've got to repeal this or we're going to lose the right to have Christmas lights in Chickasa,' is a little bit overreach," Perryman said.
The House and Senate are now set to consider the other's resolutions.
