Monson blocks nomination of Perry for secretary of commerce

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), May 19, 2000 by Marie Price The Journal Record

Sen. Angela Monson, D-Oklahoma City, blocked the nomination of Oklahoma City publisher Russell Perry, Edmond, as cabinet secretary of commerce Thursday, saying that the post is duplicative.

Perry's nomination by Gov. Frank Keating is in the Senate Finance Committee, which Monson chairs. It normally would have been assigned to the Senate Economic Development Committee, chaired by Sen. Ted Fisher, D-Sapulpa, which did confirm Ron Bussert, Edmond, as director of the Department of Commerce on Thursday morning.

Thursday also marked the date of the finally scheduled meeting of Monson=s committee for the 2000 session.

Keating has attributed Perry's difficulties to racism, but both Monson and Perry are black.

"I'm not surprised," Perry said of the committee change. "For over a year she's been requesting to (Senate President Pro Tempore) Stratton Taylor to move me over to her committee."

Monson would not comment on Perry's allegation.

"This is led by the Black Caucus, and it's obvious they're sticking together on this," the publisher added.

At issue may not be racism, but political philosophy.

Perry is a conservative Republican. All members of the Legislative Black Caucus are Democrats.

"I'm a black conservative and proud of it," Perry said. "I support Frank Keating and they do not like it."

Perry said that to his knowledge this has never occurred before in the executive nomination process.

"They've cut me loose and put me over there with my enemies," he said. "There's nothing I can do. I'm at their mercy."

Keating first put Perry's name forth as commerce secretary last June.

President of Perry Publishing and Broadcasting, Perry is publisher of The Black Chronicle and owns radio stations KVSP in Oklahoma City, KJMM in Tulsa and KJMZ and KKRX in Lawton. He is also majority stockholder of First Security Bank of Oklahoma City.

Perry, who has been serving on an unconfirmed basis, was intended to replace Howard Barnett, who is now Keating chief of staff.

Keating press secretary John Cox said that the governor went to Monson's office Thursday morning to discuss the appointment, but she was unavailable. At the time of the visit, Monson was seen visiting with members in the House Chamber.

Cox said that Keating has called Monson several times, but she has not returned his phone calls.

There are 10 confirmed votes to approve Perry's appointment in the 15-member finance committee, Cox added, five Democrats and five Republicans. Although the full Senate has not been polled, Keating's office is confident of confirmation.

"She doesn't have a leg to stand on when the body is willing to confirm him," Cox added. "There's no real problem with anybody but her."

He said that the problem seems to be one of race combined with politics for the Black Caucus.

"There's got to be some kind of race issue," Cox said. "There's no reason not to confirm a successful black businessman."

The problem, he conceded, is that Perry is not a Democrat or a traditional liberal.

"They want more Democrats," Cox said. "It appears she has a problem with his politics. It appears to be an issue of race to her."

The Keating spokesperson said that the governor has been pushing for appointment of more minorities, which makes the blocking of Perry's appointment even more baffling.

Cox also said that the proper panel to review the nomination is the economic development committee. He said that all previous nominees were reviewed by that committee.

"The clock is winding down," he conceded.

There is just over a week remaining in the legislative session, and any confirmation vote must come during session. If it is not forthcoming, Cox said, the governor can renominate Perry for consideration next session.

Taylor criticized the Keating administration for bringing up the question of race.

"Senator Monson expressed concerns about whether the appointment was a wise use of taxpayers' dollars given the duplicative nature of the post and asked that her committee be able to review it," said Taylor. "I'm disappointed that Gov. Keating has inappropriately tried to inject race into a policy debate, but given his track record of offensive public statements, I'm not surprised."

Monson, too, said that race is not the issue.

"This isn't about racism, it's about spending tax dollars wisely and managing state government in an efficient manner," she said. "To suggest otherwise is racially offensive."

Monson said that after she consulted with a number of her colleagues, including members of the Black Caucus, she did not feel it would be a prudent use of taxpayers' dollars to confirm the nomination.

"Most of the people who spoke to me felt that the state was just creating a job with no real responsibilities, unless you count the duplicate duties that are already being performed by the director of the commerce department," the committee chair added.

Monson said that Oklahomans should not have to pay for two high- level administrators to perform essentially the same job.

"We could probably hire a good economic recruiter for what they're paying Mr. Perry," she said.