By Constitution Staff

Lawmakers will again seek to make English the official language of Oklahoma government this year in an effort to save taxpayer money and help legal immigrants achieve the American dream.

State Reps. Randy Terrill(R-Moore), George Faught (R-Muskogee), Mike Christian (R-Oklahoma City) and state Sen. Anthony Sykes (R-Moore) filed legislation to send a proposed constitutional amendment to Oklahoma voters that would make English the state's official language.

"As our common American language, English and the "melting pot' process it supports has made the United States the most successful multi-ethnic nation in history," said Terrill. "However, that success has been threatened by politically correct multilingualism that divides America into separate communities with little in common except geographic location. Our legislation will promote cohesion and end the divisiveness."

"Our government should encourage legal immigrants to assimilate so they can access the American dream, but current law actually discourages that process," said Faught. "Impeding efforts to help people become fluent in English condemns them to a low-income life in the shadows of our society. We need to help legal immigrants join American society, not ostracize them."

"Making English the official language of state government is not only the humane thing to do, it's also cost-effective," said Sykes. "Right now, Oklahoma taxpayers can be forced to pay for government materials to be printed in up to 300 different languages or even pay for individual translators in every language. We are already seeing large sums spent on Spanish-language driver's manuals no one uses while facing a shortage of English manuals. It's time to eliminate that waste and be efficient with taxpayer funds."

"This is a common-sense idea that's time has come," said Christian. "There is no compelling reason for the state to waste money printing documents or manuals in languages seldom or never used in Oklahoma."

More than 30 states have already approved official English laws and so have more than 50 nations around the globe.

Under the provisions of the legislation, which will be very similar to last year's Senate Bill 163, private individuals and businesses will still be allowed to use whatever language they choose. Only government activities would be affected. Unfortunately, proposals for Official English have sometimes mistakenly been called "English Only." While some have not doubt called the proposal "English Only" out of ignorance, there is also no doubt that some use that term in an effort to hurt the effort for Official English.

Senate Bill 163 passed the House last year 70-28, but was sent to a conference committee by Senate Democrats (with the help of one Republican), effectively killing the bill in a 25-23 vote. This year's bill is expected to have a better chance of making it through the new Republican controlled Senate. The legislation was one of the ten bills included in the 2008 Oklahoma Conservative Index rating state legislators.

The bill will also contain exemptions for the languages of Oklahoma's 39 federally recognized Native American tribes and allows the use of both Braille and sign language in government services. The legislation also contains a number of other specific, narrowly tailored exceptions for things like public health and safety, as well as trade, commerce and tourism.

The bill's authors cited three main reasons to make English the official language of Oklahoma government.

First, the bill will prevent the state from being compelled to provide taxpayer-subsidized services in any language other than English. Terrill noted that issue has become more urgent thanks to a federal government investigation of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety over allegations the agency violated the civil rights of two Iranian immigrants who were not provided written driver's license exams in Farsi, the chief language of Iran.

Second, making English the official language avoids all of the cost, burden and conflict associated with bilingualism and multilingualism.

Most importantly, the lawmakers said making English the official language of state government would promote assimilation for all immigrants.

Research has shown that English proficiency provides enormous financial benefits for legal immigrants. Individuals working full time who cannot speak English earn an average $15,196 per year. Those who work full time who do not speak English in their home but possess an intermediate level of English proficiency earn an average $26,004 per year. Full-time workers who speak another language at home but are proficient in English earn an average $30,691 per year.

That may be why a national poll conducted by Zogby International found that 65 percent of Hispanics support making English the official language. That poll found support was even higher among first and second-generation Americans.

"Census data shows that learning to speak English is a near guarantee a legal immigrant will increase his or her earning power," Faught said. "Our bill will improve the lives of immigrants, foster better relations between all citizens, and grow our economy."

Oklahomans of all backgrounds have voiced support for the proposal. On Feb. 7, 2008, The Tulsa World reported its poll found 88 percent of Oklahomans surveyed believe English should be made the state's official language. A separate Wilson Research Strategy poll showed 82 percent of all Oklahomans support making English the official language.

If approved by voters, the official English law would have three main impacts. First, there would no longer be any bilingual or multilingual driver's license tests. Second, when citizens call a state agency, they will no longer be greeted by a "press 1 for English" prompt. Finally, there will no longer be any official state forms or signage in any language but English, unless covered by one of the specifically enumerated exceptions previously noted.