BARNEY FRANK COMES TO OKLAHOMA
The openly homosexual congressman from Massachusetts, Barney Frank, is scheduled to hold two fundraisers on April 26 at Oklahoma City's Skirvin Hotel: a $2,300 breakfast and a $1,000 lunch. The event sponsors include Democrat National Committeeman Jim Frasier, Kalyn Free who ran unsuccessfully for 2nd District Congress, George Krumme a Democrat oilman from Tulsa who was also one of the top political contributors in Oklahoma in 2006 (The Oklahoma Democratic Party Headquarters is named after him), former state Attorney General Mike Turpen and former Gov. David Walters.
Some have speculated that Frank is making the special trip away from his district on the East Coast to Oklahoma City in response to Rep. Sally Kern's remarks regarding the homosexual political agenda.
STONEWALL DEMOCRATS MEET
A scheduling conflict caused Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank to cancel a visit to Oklahoma in February. Frank was scheduled to address a national meeting of Stonewall Democrats, a group representing gay, lesbian and transgender Democrats. Frank, founder of the group, was also to speak at a fundraiser for the reelection campaign of state Rep. Al McAffrey (D-Oklahoma City). The 45-member board of Stonewall Democrats met in Oklahoma City for a national board meeting and workshops. Three of the national board members are from Oklahoma City Steve Van Hook, Linda Gray Murphy, and Colin Raley.
CHAMBER CRITICAL OF KERN
An article published in the April 16 edition of The Journal Record newspaper reports that a San Francisco Bay-area financial services company is concerned about Rep. Sally Kern's anti-homosexual statements, and may not relocate here. The company's top executive is a lesbian. That has prompted the Chamber of Commerce crowd to join the attack on Rep. Kern. The article quotes Roy Williams, president of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, saying the issue is a major concern that the chamber is trying to address. He noted that a relocation consultant was troubled by Kern's comments during a recent visit to the city."He told us straight up Š 'I cannot recommend to any of my clients that they should consider Oklahoma City because of that,'" Williams said. "When you have one of the Nation's premier relocation experts making those statements, you should pay attention to that and not dismiss it."
OKLAHOMAN'S LEFTWARD LURCH
The leftward lurch of the Oklahoman continues. Oklahoma City KTOK radio talk show host Mark Shannon recently called for listeners to cancel their subscriptions to the increasingly liberal newspaper. Shannon's call followed editor Ed Kelley's website rant, calling state Reps. Sally Kern and Randy Terrill "running mates" in giving a black eye to Oklahoma's image. The Oklahoman has been critical of Kern's efforts opposing the homosexual agenda, and Terrill's efforts to combat illegal immigration.
In a recent print editorial, the Oklahoman delivered a vicious attack upon immigration reform champion Randy Terrill, saying that Terrill "delights in the misery his bill has wrought on so many, legal and illegal alike." Nothing in HB 1804 has any legal impact upon legal immigrants in our state.
At least the Oklahoman does not have to worry about attacks from liberal sources, like the Columbia Journalism Review, any more. Even left-wing activist Ralph Nader has expressed pleasure that the Oklahoman is "not as bad" as it used to be.
CODE OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT
Former State Rep. Kevin Calvey, an attorney, recently returned from National Guard duty in Iraq where he worked in the Iraq judicial system to prosecute terrorists. He has resumed his legal practice in Oklahoma and has learned of an effort to change Oklahoma's "Code of Judicial Conduct." The new code might prohibit an attorney from being or becoming a judge if a member of an organization which had any kind of membership prohibition against non-traditional sexual "orientation" (especially homosexual). Since the Boy Scouts do not allow homosexuals to be leaders, any lawyer affiliated with the scouts might be barred from becoming a judge, due to violation of the "Code of Judicial Conduct." This is apparently part of a national movement that is being promulgated by the liberal American Bar Association to be "politically correct."
2008 PIG BOOK
U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. commented in April regarding the release of the 2008 Pig Book published by Citizens Against Government Waste. "In these difficult economic times, American taxpayers expect politicians in Washington to tighten their belts along with the rest of the country. Nothing represents the excess in government more than earmarks, especially for projects like hops (beer making) research, theaters and sheep institutes," Dr. Coburn said.
"Thankfully, groups like CAGW have helped turn a cause that many critics once described as a quixotic crusade into a movement that has significant backing in both chambers and in both parties. When Democrats like U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and U.S. Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA) forsake earmarks, activists should know that their voices are being heard. Most Americans understand that earmarks are the gateway drug to spending addiction in Congress. Sooner or later, a majority in Congress will be forced to come to that conclusion as well," Dr. Coburn said.
Examples of pork in the 2008 Pig Book include: $7.9 million for 36 theaters; $1,950,000 for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service; $460,752 for Hops (for beer making) Research;
$263,200 for the American Sailing Training Association in Newport, Rhode Island; $211,509 in olive fruit fly research in Paris, France; $188,000 for the Lobster Institute in Maine; $148,950 for the Montana Sheep Institute; and $98,000 to develop a walking tour of Boydton, Virginia.
COBURN CRITICAL OF IRS LETTER
U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. expressed his frustration in March with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) plan to waste $42 million in taxpayer dollars to tell individuals they might receive an economic stimulus check. Coburn's comments came after learning the IRS would spend nearly $42 million to send a single letter to individuals who filed a tax return and may receive a tax rebate check from the federal government.
"There is no need to spend $42 million on a letter to tell individuals they will be receiving a check from the federal government. Perhaps the IRS should also inform taxpayers of their share of the $9 trillion national debt, which as of today is more than $30,000 per American. Congress should be ashamed of itself for approving a 'stimulus' bill that included funding for this wasteful mailing," said Dr. Coburn.
WAS WRIGHT RIGHT OR WRONG?
While Jeremiah Wright, the pastor of Senator Barack Obama, has been rightly taken to task for his racist and anti-American rantings, some conservative Christians believe that he is not all wrong. They contend that Wright's comments that God should condemn America for its alleged transgressions is actually biblical, because the Bible relates how God used disasters and even evil people in punishing ancient Israel.
The problem with this thesis is two-fold: We are NOT God, and we don't know whether a modern tragedy like September 11th was allowed by God to punish America for any particular sin or sins. The Bible also says that God causes the rain to fall on both the just and the unjust. Secondly, Wright could have made his point without taking God's name in vain from the pulpit, which is simply indefensible, and no Christian should ever condone such comments.
Wright was wrong.
PEACE LICENSE TAG
The Oklahoma State Senate approved SB 1910 by State Senator Constance Johnson (D-Oklahoma City) creating a special license plate for Oklahomans wishing to demonstrate support for the Campaign for a United States Department of Peace. The House author of the bill is Rep. Rebecca Hamilton (D-Oklahoma City). Sen. Johnson said there is a national grassroots effort being led by the Peace Alliance, a nonpartisan citizen action group, which wants Congress to create a federal Department of Peace. The primary functions of the new agency would be to research, articulate and facilitate nonviolent solutions to domestic and international conflict; to support our military with complementary approaches to ending violence; to provide educational programs to help ameliorate domestic violence, school violence, conflict between law enforcement officers and the community; and to establish an Academy of Peace to train personnel in non-violent conflict resolution.
Lydia Polley, state coordinator for the Oklahoma Chapter of the Campaign to establish a U.S. Department of Peace, said Oklahoma Peace proponents strongly support Senator Johnson's bill. "This bill represents another way to get the name and the concept of peace out there and have people asking questions about it," Ms. Polley said.
The Oklahoma Tax Commission requires a minimum of 100 pre-paid applications within 180 days of the effective date of the authorization before the tag can be designed. The application fee is $15. The bill passed the Senate 2820 on March 13. The bill was sent to House of Representatives but failed to be reported out of committee.
OKLAHOMA REPORT CARDS ON DARFUR
A project of the Genocide Intervention Network, each Darfur Report Card has the elected official's name, his or her grade, and a complete listing of all key legislation she/he has and has not supported. The report cards show whether or not the elected officials are doing their homework on ending genocide in Darfur. The votes used for 2007 are the China Resolution, Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act, Genocide Accountability Act, Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act, Sudan Divestment Authorization Act, Hybrid Force Resolution, Protecting Funding for International Peacekeeping.
Sen. Jim Inhofe scored a "C." Sen. Tom Coburn scored a "B." Rep. John Sullivan scored a "C." Rep. Dan Boren scored a "C." Rep. Frank Lucas scored a "C." Rep. Tom Cole scored a "C." Rep. Mary Fallin scored a "B."
Three Republicans are listed as "Congressional Champions" out of a total of seven honored with the title. Rep. Tom Tancredo from Colorado is co-chairman of the Sudan Caucus and scored a cumulative grade of "A+" for supporting and voting in favor of all significant Darfur legislation. He has also been on a congressional visit to Darfur. Rep. Frank Wolf of Virginia is also co-chairman of the Sudan Caucus and scored a cumulative grade of "A+." He, too, has taken a trip to Darfur and co-sponsored the China Resolution on Darfur in 2007. Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas scored a cumulative grade of "A+." The Kansas City Star announced on November 29, 2006 that he had divested his family's mutual funds from companies that contribute to the genocide by conducting business with the government of Sudan. Sen. Brownback has also appeared on "The News Hour with Jim Lehrer" to talk about Darfur. More information is located at www.darfurscores.org
PEGGY NOONAN TO SPEAK
The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) will welcome former Reagan speechwriter to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum on the evening of April 24, 2008. Noonan will be the keynote speaker at the organization's annual citizenship dinner. She will join a prestigious line of previous OCPA Citizenship Dinner speakers that includes the late Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick, Justice Clarence Thomas, Gen. Tommy Franks, and Newt Gingrich. "In an age of political debate marked more by raised voices than reasoned arguments, Peggy Noonan offers a dignified approach with keen insight into the issues affecting 2008 and beyond," said OCPA president Hopper Smith.
Ms. Noonan is a columnist for The Wall Street Journal and the best-selling author of seven books on American politics, history, and culture. Noonan's best selling books include: The Case Against Hillary Clinton and When Character Was King: A Story of Ronald Reagan. Noonan was a special assistant to President Ronald Reagan from 1984 to 1986. "Ms. Noonan has experience that counts, and we are honored to bring such an accomplished writer, thinker, and public servant to Oklahoma," added Smith. The dinner will begin at 7:00 pm and tickets are $125 per person. For more information, visit ocpathink.org or call (405) 602-1667.
STAR PARKER AT OCPA BREAKFAST
The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) hosted Star Parker for a legislative breakfast on April 1st. The topic of her discussion was "School Choice and Oklahoma: A Winning Formula." Ms. Parker is an author, activist and the founder of the Coalition on Urban Renewal and Education. Prior to her involvement in social activism, Star Parker was a single welfare mother in Los Angeles, California. After her conversion to Christianity, Parker returned to college to obtain a degree then launched an urban Christian magazine. Parker gives regular testimony before the U.S. Congress, and is a national expert on major television and radio shows across the country.
CAREERTECH BENEFITS QUESTIONED
Amid an expensive PR campaign claiming the Oklahoma CareerTech system is "elevating our economy," a local think tank has released a study disputing that claim. In the March issue of its monthly periodical, Perspective, economists with the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) performed a cost-benefit analysis and found that CareerTech's claims are overstated. "CareerTech's expensive PR campaign fails to note that the system's educational activities come with a significant price tag," says OCPA research fellow Scott Moody. "But when you factor in the costs of taxation and of deadweight loss, you find that Oklahoma taxpayers received a net negative return on their CareerTech investment."
"Oklahoma taxpayers are forced to spend $380,000 on this PR campaign this year," said OCPA vice president Brandon Dutcher. "We thought taxpayers deserved some independent analysis to go along with all this special-interest pleading they're being forced to pay for." OCPA is a non-profit, nonpartisan think tank which formulates public policy research and analysis consistent with the principles of free enterprise and limited government. You can view the full article by visiting www.ocpathink.org
OKC FORD CENTER TAX
Oklahoma City voters approved a penny sales tax on March 4 to help lure an NBA basketball team to the city. Oklahoma City mayor Mick Cornett, a former TV sportscaster, pushed the proposal through the city council. The $121 million tax will be used to upgrade the Ford Center and build a practice facility for the Seattle SuperSonics. The group of millionaire Oklahoma businessmen led by Clay Bennett and Aubrey McClendon who purchased the basketball team hope to get approval from the NBA to move the team to Oklahoma City, after Seattle and the state of Washington failed to build a new facility for the team. Oklahoma City's Ford Center was the temporary home to the New Orleans Hornets who were displaced after Hurricane Katrina. Critics suggest that the taxpayers should not have to subsidize the endeavors of a for-profit sports team, or a mayor who thinks it would be neat to have an NBA team. Cornett says an NBA team would add to the quality of life of residents and help economic development efforts.
SONICS OWNERS AGAINST HB1804
The day after Oklahoma City voters gave in to the penny sales tax to help the owners of the SuperSonics, Chesapeake Energy executive Tom Price announced the formation of a group called A Better Way Oklahoma, which would "more humanely and responsibly" address the state's illegal immigration problems. Specifically, the group is opposed to HB 1804, Oklahoma's anti-illegal immigration law which is strongly supported by Oklahoma citizens. SuperSonics co-owner Aubrey McClendon is founder and CEO of Chesapeake. This was the latest attack by big business in Oklahoma over the pending clampdown on the hiring of illegal immigrants as a result of HB 1804. It is believed they waited until after the sales tax vote to avoid possible voter backlash for their opposition to HB 1804.
SONICS TAX BREAKS
After securing the money from Oklahoma City taxpayers to improve the Ford Center and build a practice facility for the Seattle SuperSonics, the team owners approached state legislative leaders with a proposal for an estimated $60 million state taxpayer dollars for their venture. Not content to settle for ten years of corporate welfare payments, the proposed legislation would amend the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Act to grant the team owners a special exception and the life of their paybacks would be extended for the next 15 years. Senate Bill 1819 passed the House on April 14, the Senate on April 17, and was signed by Gov. Henry.
The Oklahoma Quality Jobs Act was initially developed to offer to rebate the first ten years of income tax collections from a new Oklahoma company's employees back to the company if it relocated to Oklahoma. The act is supposed to entice new companies to move to Oklahoma that would not move to Oklahoma without the tax rebate. But as everyone knows, the Sonics are very likely moving here without this funding. Of course, the proponents of this corporate welfare program will argue that a large number of jobs have been created because of the tax credits, but the circumstances surrounding the tax credit for the Sonics proves just how faulty these numbers probably are.
SONICS BILL COULD DRAIN COFFERS
The legislation providing tax incentives to NBA basketball teams could drain hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars that would otherwise go to schools, roads, and health care programs, state Rep. Mike Reynolds (R-Oklahoma City). "We've already eliminated one major loophole that would have given millions of taxpayer dollars to out-of-state teams that simply visit Oklahoma, but this bill is still fatally flawed," said Reynolds.
Originally, the legislation would have allowed any team that spends more than $2.5 million on payroll in Oklahoma to receive tax rebates on the payroll which Reynolds said could easily happen in future seasons given the high salaries paid to some players. The Dallas Mavericks, which have a payroll of more than $105.2 million, would spend more than $2.5 million on player salaries in just two away games at Oklahoma City and would have qualified for state tax incentives under the bill's original language, Reynolds noted. More teams are likely to reach that threshold in future years due to the rapid escalation of player salaries.
Reynolds authored an amendment to close that loophole that was originally rejected in the House, but later adopted in the state Senate. "This bill is so poorly designed that it would have funneled millions of dollars to other states every time Shaquille O'Neal or Kobe Bryant set foot in Oklahoma," Reynolds said.
OKLAHOMANS PAY MORE
Senator Jay Paul Gumm (D-Durant) said proposed amendments to the bill intended to help bring the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City would create a "grossly unfair" tax scheme in which current residents of the state pay more income tax than newcomers. The proposal, advocated by some rural legislators, is called the "Come Home to Oklahoma" bill, and would give a five-year income tax exemption to people who move into some rural areas from another state and buy or build a home there. Under the proposal, individuals who already live in Oklahoma would continue to pay their full income tax bills.
"I do not know how any leader can look his or her constituents in the eye and tell them they should pay more tax than someone who just arrived in Oklahoma," Gumm said. "We ought to call this the 'Oklahomans Pay More Taxes' bill." Gumm said a better way to encourage rural legislators to support the "Sonics" bill is to make a significant investment in rural Oklahoma's infrastructure.
NBA VS. STATE EMPLOYEES
The measure that would offer massive tax incentives to a potential Oklahoma City NBA franchise was met with resistance from a State Representative who feels legislators should instead focus on a state employee pay raise. "State employees have only had two pay raises in the past seven years," said Representative Brian Renegar ( D- McAlister)."This state lost over $80 million last year in state employee turnover," he said. "I'm extremely disappointed that we decided to give big corporations and multi-millionaires a tax break today instead of helping working Oklahomans," said Renegar.
Renegar opposed revision of the Quality Jobs Act to grant the potential pro basketball franchise a 15 year break from state taxes, compared to the usual ten for other companies. "We found out this week that this team's ownership spent almost $400,000 to fund an ad campaign in Oklahoma City that granted them $120 million in tax money to relocate," he said. "When is enough, enough?"
WELFARE FOR TIRE PLANTS
A measure that would authorize the issuance of bonds for two tire companies to expand their Oklahoma manufacturing plants cleared the House Economic Development and Financial Services Committee and awaited a vote on the House floor. In 2002, the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and Michelin North America, Inc. both expanded their local plants with the help of bonds issued by the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority under the Quality Jobs Program Act. Senate Bill 1891 would have authorized the ODFA to once again issue bonds to reimburse those companies for a portion of the costs associated with additional expansion of their Lawton and Ardmore plants, respectively.
In 2002, the Legislature passed the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Incentive Leverage Fund to allow those businesses that qualify to receive payments under the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act to elect to forgo those payments and instead have them transferred to the fund. The capital in the fund is then used to secure bonds issued for the benefit of those businesses by the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority.
ADUITOR CAN BE PAID
State Attorney General Drew Edmondson issued an Opinion in April ruling that a state-elected official charged with a crime can only be removed from office by impeachment. The Opinion stated further that an official can continue to be paid, even if not performing the duties of the office. The opinion did not mention Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan by name, but said a statewide elected official can receive their salary during a voluntary suspension following the filing of a charge or indictment against them. McMahan suspended himself with pay after he and his wife were indicted on allegations of accepting improper trips and illegal campaign contributions.
The AG Opinion was requested by Rep. Mike Reynolds (R-Oklahoma City), who authored legislation for a House committee to determine whether McMahan should be impeached. He asked Edmondson to rule if McMahan's voluntary self-suspension would be equivalent to abandoning his office or neglecting his duties. Reynolds also asked the Attorney General if a statewide elected official could be suspended from office prior to a conviction. Edmondson responded no to that question.
RETIREMENT SYSTEM LOOPHOLE
A loophole that allows some state workers to obtain greater retirement benefits than they ever earned as a state employee may soon be closed. Senate Bill 1641, by state Rep. Dan Sullivan (R-Tulsa) would ensure that elected officials will not receive retirement benefits "greater than their single highest annual compensation received as a member of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System."
Under existing law, elected officials can pay a 10 percent contribution rate and elect to receive a 4 percent multiplier in their pension calculation formula. In contrast, regular state employees pay a 3.5 percent contribution rate and receive a 2 percent multiplier. If an individual who worked for state or county government retires as an elected official with at least six years of elected service, that person can have his or her benefit calculated using the 4 percent multiplier for all years of service, including years when the individual was not in elective office and paid only the 3.5 percent contribution rate.
Officials have indicated that more than 500 people receive enhanced benefits because of the loophole, which is costing the state hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. The most famous beneficiary of the loophole may be former Auditor and Inspector Clifton Scott, who now draws a pension of nearly $147,000 for a job that paid $83,510.
Under Senate Bill 1641, benefits would be calculated using the higher multiplier for only the years of service in elective office. Senate Bill 1641 passed out of the House by a vote of 58-41 and now returns to the Senate for final consideration.
CHEROKEE NATION ENTERPRISES
Cherokee Nation Enterprises, the financial arm of the Cherokee Nation, made $418.6 million in 200. That amount included $111.6 million from casino profits. In 1999, casino profits were less than $5 million.
TREE HUGGERS IN NORMAN
It is not that surprising that the Norman City Council, one of the state's most liberal local governments, enacted an ordinance requiring the planting of a tree in every new house's front yard. What is disappointing is that two former Republican nominees in Norman favored the proposal! David Hopper, the 1982 Republican nominee for state representative, and a member of the Norman City Council, voted for the tree proposal. Hopper is a candidate for state representative again this year. Darrell Janaway, the 1988 nominee of the party, spoke for the proposal as Chairman of the Tree Board: "Someone has to take responsibility for living on this earth and creating the oxygen that we breathe," Janaway pontificated, in arguing for the tree mandate.
Only two members of the Council voted no. Richard Stawicki explained his no vote: "There's a very fine line between saying you have to plant a tree and saying you can only flush once." Fellow Council member Bob Thompson added his no vote and the comment, "It's a question of liberty."
Perhaps Janaway, Hopper, and other supporters of government mandates such as this need to find a dictionary, and look up the word liberty.
IMPACT OF DIVORCE IN OKLAHOMA
A report released April 15 shows that divorce and births to unwed mothers create a cost of more than $400 million for Oklahoma government. "Our society clearly pays a price both in moral and monetary terms when children are raised outside a traditional family with a married mother and father," said state Rep. Mark McCullough (R-Sapulpa). "This report demonstrates the need for state policies that encourage and support marriage. We literally can't afford to allow current trends to continue."
The Taxpayer Costs of Divorce and Unwed Childbearing: First-Ever Estimates for the Nation and All 50 States was published by a coalition of research and policy groups - the Institute for American Values, Georgia Family Council, Institute for Marriage and Public Policy, and Families Northwest.
The report found that nearly 69 percent of Oklahomans living in poverty live in an unmarried household. Households headed by single mothers accounted for nearly half of all poverty in Oklahoma. As a result, Oklahoma state government expends significant revenue aiding those families about $150 million for welfare benefits and another $208 million on legal expenses (based on the fact that a significant percentage of crimes are tied to childhood poverty, according to research).Oklahoma government also forgoes $72 million in tax revenue due to family fragmentation, according to the report, bringing the total impact to more than $430 million.
