Governor Signs 10 Commandments Bill

May 18, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: NewsOn6.com

Wire Service: AP

http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=10384343

Gov. Brad Henry on Monday signed a bill to permit a Ten Commandments monument to be placed on the grounds of the state Capitol.

Henry signed the bill over arguments it violated provisions of the state and U.S. constitutions that prohibit laws expressing a religious preference.

The Ten Commandments legislation was included in a list of several bills signed by the Democratic governor. Henry had no comment.

Rep. Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow, introduced the bill and said he would use family funds to pay for the $10,000 cost of the monument.

Civil libertarians and some religious groups argued that such a monument is clearly unconstitutional. Similar monuments have drawn legal challenges elsewhere.