10 Things to Watch During the 2012 Legislative Session

2. OETA

Several legislators have expressed their feelings about the “edgy” Oklahoma Education Television Authority, which broadcasts such avant-garde programs like “This Old House,” and Gothers’ favorite the “Nightly Business Report.” Bills which would eliminate state funding of OETA have been introduced. This has been tried before but only a handful of legislators supported the effort. It may have more support this time, but Republican Rep. Doug Cox has the trump card. A year ago, when legislators were debating a bill which would have forced OETA to cut programing to pay for a new video system to live broadcast the House and Senate sessions, Cox, who represents a northeast corner of the state, told his colleagues:

“If I do anything that interferes with my folks’ ability to watch Lawrence Welk on OETA, they might cut me out of the will.”

Playing the Welk card is always a strong hand.