| Posted: Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 | Comments (0)

Fall 2009 TIDBITS

By: Constitution Staff

STATE CAPITOL RALLY

It was a day late and peppered with rain, but a crowd estimated at more than 5,000 attended a September 13 rally at the Oklahoma State Capitol to demonstrate their displeasure with the spending habits and increasing role of the federal government. One specific target of the Sunday afternoon rally was the proposed federal takeover of healthcare. The thousands in attendance dwarfed a noontime march and rally a few hours earlier in support of the government healthcare plan. That rally attracted only about 300 at the Capitol’s south steps. The larger crowd included a contingent of about 1,500 who marched from near the Oklahoma History Center to join other participants for the mid-afternoon rally located on the north plaza of the Capitol.

The event was the most recent of a series of Tea Parties which included a similar size rally on April 15 – Tax Day. This latest event was organized by an Oklahoma City Tea Party group as part of a nationwide effort which included a march on Washingtion D.C. which attracted a crowd of one million on September 12. The events were associated with the efforts of 9.12 Groups which were inspired by radio talkshow host Glenn Beck. Beck proposed that people should unite in the spirit of the day following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.Oklahoma City’s tea party was originally was scheduled for Saturday, September 12, to coincide with the other 9.12 rallies, but all events at the Oklahoma Capitol were canceled due to the annual Septemberfest on the grounds of the nearby Governor’s Mansion.

FED OWNS OKLAHOMA MALL

Add shopping malls to the list of businesses owned by the federal government. The fed now owns Crossroads Mall, situated at the crossroads of I-35 and I-240 in Oklahoma City. Last year the federal government gave JPMorgan Chase $29 billion to buy Bear Stearns, and that money was secured by a portfolio of assets which included $5.5 billion in commercial loans. The federal ownership became known as a result of the mall going into foreclosure. When the 1.2 million square foot regional mall opened in 1974, it was among the 10 largest shopping malls in the US.

Fifth District Congressional candidate Kevin Calvey pointed to the federal government’s ownership of the mall as a symbol of the failure of the government’s bailout of private businesses. Calvey asked, “What business does the federal government have owning a shopping mall here in Oklahoma City?” Calvey, who is running for the Republican nomination for the Fifth District seat, added, “Government bailouts of private industry are economically inefficient, rife with potential corruption and a terrible deal for taxpayers. If a business is failing, whether large or small, it should fail. Don’t make the taxpayers subsidize the bad decisions made by corporate executives.”


GOP TAKES HOUSE SEAT

Republicans fortified their control of the Oklahoma House of Representatives with the State House District 55 special election on October 13. Cordell banker Todd Russ beat Democrat Larry Peck with 56% of the votes (3,029) to 44% (2,388). It was a major blow to Democrats who have held the seat since 1965. Democrats outnumber Republicans in the southwestern Oklahoma district by a 2-1 margin. Russ’ victory increases the Republican majority in the House to the highest in Oklahoma history, 62-39. Republicans have made steady gains in the House since taking the majority in the 2004 elections.

Russ, 48, will succeed Ryan McMullen, who resigned in July to take a federal post with the agriculture department. Russ is currently on the Cordell City Council and is past president and chief executive officer of Washita State Bank in Burns Flat. He sold the majority of his bank stock last year and is now doing management consulting for banks and small businesses.

NEXT HOUSE SPEAKER

On October 19, state Rep. Kris Steele (R-Shawnee) was selected by the Republicans in the Oklahoma House to be the next Speaker of the House. Steele, who is currently the Speaker Pro-tempore of the House, will have the title of "Speaker-Designate." In August, state House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Ken Miller (R-Edmond) announced his support for Steele. Miller, who had been competing with Steele for the top job in the House, will instead run for state Treasurer. The current House Speaker, Rep. Chris Benge, is term limited and a new Speaker will be selected following the elections in November of 2010. Benge will remain Speaker through November of 2010. Steele could remain in the job through November 2012. Since Steele was elected in 2000, he cannot run again in 2012, due to term limits . Steele has a 61% cumulative average on the Oklahoma Conservative Index.

DEMOCRAT SENATE LEADER

The state Senate Democratic Caucus selected Sen. Andrew Rice of Oklahoma City to be leader designate for the 2011-2012 legislative session. The current Democratic Leader, Sen. Charlie Laster (D-Shawnee) will continue to serve as leader for the upcoming session which begins in February 2010. He will step down as leader following the November 2010 elections. Laster has been the Democratic Floor Leader since January of 2007. When the Democrats were in control of the Sentate, the leader of the Republicans was referred to Minority Floor Leader. However, when the Democrats became the minority party, they have referred to the position as Democratic Floor Leader. Rice said he is honored to be elected by his colleagues and pledged to lead the Democrats back to the majority in the Senate next year. Rice was elected to District 46 in 2006. He was the Democrat nominee in the U.S. Senate race last year against Sen. Jim Inhofe.


COATES VIES FOR GOP SENATE LEADER

State Sen. Harry Coates (R-Seminole) has announced plans to run for President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the top post in the upper chamber of the Oklahoma Legislature. The President Pro Tempore position will be vacated at the end of 2010 when Sen. Glenn Coffee terms out of office. Coates said his diverse background in business, agriculture, banking, construction and real estate, as well as his ability to build consensus place him in a unique position to lead the Senate. Coates was first elected to the Senate in 2002 to represent District 28, a predominantly Democrat area of the state. He was unopposed in his next bid to represent that district. In the Senate, he says he has worked to build consensus based on promoting common sense legislation that earned the support and respect of both Republicans and Democrats. Coates has consistently ranked as one of most liberal Republicans in the Senate and has been the recipient of the RINO (Republican In Name Only) award given by the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee (OCPAC). His cumulative average score on the Oklahoma Conservative Index is a lowly 44%.

DEMOCRATS ON BELLMON

Todd Goodman, chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, issued this statement upon the death of former Oklahoma Governor Henry Bellmon: "Gov. Bellmon was truly a statesman, a leader and a hero to everyday Oklahomans. He championed the causes most important to him by forming alliances, not exploiting divisions. His legacy will be perhaps greatest felt in education, where he fought valiantly to ensure every child in Oklahoma received a solid education and a world of opportunity. They broke the mold after Gov. Bellmon left office, and we are all profoundly affected by this loss."

Senate Democratic Leader, Charlie Laster (D-Shawnee) said: “Oklahoma has lost a true advocate of the people today with the passing of Governor Henry Bellmon. As the first Republican governor of this state, Bellmon was an Oklahoman first – placing the needs of this state over the politics of party. He was a true statesman and a fine example of a bipartisan leader. Oklahoma is a better place today because of his service to this state, and he will be greatly missed.”

Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman, Kenneth Corn (D-Poteau) said: “Governor Henry Bellmon was the first statewide elected official I ever met when I was 10 years old at Carl Albert State College. Meeting this great leader had a tremendous impact on me then, and still does to this day. He was a true champion of improving education in Oklahoma. The landmark legislation he championed, House Bill 1017, pulled education out of the gutter in Oklahoma and provided it with a standard driven system that emphasized student achievement unlike anything that had ever been done before.

We should all remember the statesmanlike leadership Bellmon displayed throughout his life, especially during this current polarized political environment we now so often find ourselves.”




SURVEY RESULTS TROUBLING

Only one in four Oklahoma public high-school students can name the first President of the United States. This is one of the many unsettling findings of a survey commissioned by the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA. OCPA commissioned a national research firm, Strategic Vision, to determine Oklahoma public high-school students' level of basic civic knowledge. The firm's surveys have been used by Time, Newsweek, and USA Today, and National Journal's "Hotline" which have been cited as some of the most accurate in the country. The firm polled 1,000 Oklahoma public highschool students.

The students were given 10 questions randomly drawn from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) item bank. Candidates for U.S. citizenship are required to answer six questions correctly in order to become citizens. According to the USCIS, the first-try passing rate for immigrants is 92 percent. But, only 3 in 100 high-school students in Oklahoma could pass the citizenship test. None answered all ten correctly. In fact, none got more than seven correct. Some results were humorous, although sad, but perhaps understandable. While 46% had no idea, 43% correctly identified the two major political parties as the Democrats and Republicans, and 11% thought the parties were the Republicans and Communists. The ten questions and the correct answers were:

1. What is the supreme law of the land? (The Constitution)
2. What do we call the first 10 amendments to the Constitution? (The Bill of Rights)
3. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? (Senate and House)
4. How many justices are on the Supreme Court? (Nine)
5. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? (Thomas Jefferson)
6. What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States? (Atlantic Ocean)
7. What are the two major political parties in the U.S.? (Republicans and Democrats)
8. We elect a U.S. senator for how many years? (Six)
9. Who was the first president of the United States? (George Washington)
10. Who is in charge of the executive branch? (The president)

OCPA is a think tank which formulates and promotes public policies based on the principles of free enterprise and limited government, their website is: www.ocpathink.org

OSU NANNY REPUBLICANS

Oklahoma Constitution writer Ted King was recently snubbed by OSU College Republicans. King is the author of a book published earlier this year called, The War on Smokers and the Rise of the Nanny State. The book is available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books a Million and iUniverse. King wrote in an email to Ashley Reynolds, chairman of OSU's College Republicans: “I have written a book that was endorsed by Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson and the forward of the book is about OSU! I would like very much to have the opportunity to speak to your group.”

Ms. Reynolds responded: “Thanks for your interest in speaking to our group. However, we book speakers quite a ways in advance and our schedule is full for some time. Also, I personally appreciate bans on smoking in public places as I am not only allergic to it, but enjoy being able to walk down a sidewalk or sit in a restaurant and leave without my hair smelling of smoke. The right of the general public to breathe clean air is being protected. I also appreciate OSU's smoke-free policy. Sorry I couldn't help more.”

NO LEGISLATIVE PAY RAISE

The Legislative Compensation Board voted unanimously in October to keep legislative pay at the current level. The last time the board approved a pay increase for legislators was in 1997, when the salary for lawmakers increased from $32,000 to the $38,400 a year. While some board members said legislators deserved an increase, they did not think it would be appropriate considering the state’s economic downtown. The board meets to review the pay and benefits for legislators every two years.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Oklahoma legislators are the 16th highest paid in the country. California legislators are the best paid, with an annual salary of $116,208. Oklahoma legislators are paid more than all other states in the region (Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas). Some legislators receive higher pay. The Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate are paid $56,332; floor leaders and budget committee chairmen are paid $50,764.

NEW DEMOCRAT HEADQUARTERS

State Democratic Party Chair Todd Goodman announced in September that the party is on the moving its state headquarters to Bricktown – Oklahoma City’s entertainment district near downtown. Goodman, who was elected to the top party position in May, said the party signed a lease on new office space at 401 East California in Bricktown. "This location reflects the changing face and the changing needs of our party. We are looking to re-energize Democrats in this state, and I think moving to an office in probably the most exciting and diverse districts in our state will bring some excitement and energy to the party," he said. Goodman noted that several factors involved in on the decision, including significant cost savings, increased visibility, updated facilities and improved security. He added that the new facilities are visitor-friendly, with many amenities nearby, which he said would be an advantage in attracting staff, volunteers and potential supporters. The official move is set for this fall.

However, many party activists criticized the move, saying it was a slap in the face to George Krumme and to former Gov. David Walters. For many years, the headquarters has been in the George Krumme Center at 4100 N. Lincoln Blvd., north of the state Capitol Complex. The building is across the street from the Dewy F. Bartlett Center, the state GOP headquarters. It was also noted that the new space is smaller, which accounts for most of the cost savings. David Walters and his wife Rhonda own the building housing the current headquarters and worked to keep it there. Offers were made to remodel the offices. Goodman said the new office suite will continue to be named after Krumme, a longtime supporter of the Democratic Party.

CIMARRON ALLIANCE AWARDS

About 150 people attended the Cimarron Alliance Foundation's Inaugural Gay History Month Gala on October 9 at the Oklahoma History Center. The Cimarron Alliance Foundation (CAF) is an Oklahoma political action committee representing the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) community. The event featured an awards ceremony recognizing individuals who have advanced the LGBT agenda. As stated on their website, "The Mission of the Cimarron Alliance Foundation is to support educational efforts that validate personal identity, promote public enlightenment and advance equality for LGBT Oklahomans."

Michael Bratcher, spokesperson for CAF, said the organization chose the recipients based on different criteria, including political and social activism. He noted that recipients are not necessarily gay or lesbian, but are picked for their work on behalf of the LGBT community.

State Rep. Al McAffrey (D-Oklahoma City) introduced Rep. Anastasia Pittman (D-Oklahoma City) who received the legislative award. The Volunteer of the Year award went to Colin Raley of Young Democrats of America. The Torch Award was given to Scott Jones, commentary writer for Oklahoma Gazette. The Horizon Award was received by Kendel Powers of RAIN (Regional AIDS Interfaith Network) Oklahoma. The Media Award was given to Rusty Surette, of Oklahoma City’s KWTV News9. And, the Bob Lemon Family was honored with the Bill Rogers Lifetime Achievement Award.

ACLU AWARD

Bob Lemon, a lawyer who is the father of a homosexual son, will be the recipient of the Angie Debo Civil Libertarian of the Year Award from the ACLU of Oklahoma. Lemon, of Oklahoma City, is a Democrat activist and ACLU supporter. After learning that their son was “gay,” Bob and his wife embraced the gay community. He was one of the critics of Oklahoma City state Rep. Sally Kerns, who was attacked for her remarks concerning the homosexual agenda. In a published opinion piece at the time, Lemon chastised public officials like Kern, charging that “anti-gay speech leads to hate crime and creates an environment of fear in the LGBT (lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender) community.”

Lemon has been a major supporter and financial contributor to the Oklahoma Democratic Party, including support for the Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats, the LGBT voice of the Democratic Party. The ACLU will be honoring Lemon “for his outstanding achievement in defending civil liberties” at the annual Bill of Rights Banquet, November 7,at the Clarion Hotel and Convention Center in Oklahoma City. The keynote address will be by Dan Mach, Director of the program for Freedom of Religion and Belief for the American Civil Liberties Union in Washington, D.C. The Cimarron Alliance recently recognized the Bob Lemons Family with the Lifetime Achievement Award for their service to the LGBT community.

ABORTION RULING APPEALED

On August 18, Oklahoma County District Court Judge Vicki Robertson overturned a 2008 state law requiring a woman to undergo an ultrasound before receiving an abortion. Last October, Nova Health Systems challenged the section of the law requiring a doctor or medical technicians to do an ultrasound before the procedure and describe the image to the woman.

State Sen. Todd Lamb (R-Edmond), the principal author of this legislation said, “The pro-life legislation was struck down based on the single subject rule, yet so much legislation that we pass in the Legislature deals with multiple provisions and multiple sections just as this bill did. I believe this bill complied with the one subject rule and is indeed constitutional.” The bill began as five separate pieces of legislation, all of which dealt with abortion. The measures were ultimately combined into Senate Bill 1878, which was approved in both chambers with bi-partisan support. Gov. Brad Henry vetoed the measure, but members of the state legislature easily overrode the veto. Charlie Price, a spokesman for Attorney General Drew Edmondson, said Edmondson's office would file an appeal with the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The state will argue that the law does not violate the single-subject rule, because all its parts are related to abortion and no other political subject.

UNCONSTITUTIONAL FEES

Oral arguments were held in October before the Oklahoma Supreme Court in a lawsuit to eliminate civil-court fees that fund services outside the court system. Oklahoma City attorney Jerry Fent, who filed the lawsuit in May, believes fees collected in civil actions should go to the state court fund, and not diverted to other agencies. Fent is challenging civil filing fees of $20 for adoption registries and $10 for child abuse investigations that goes to the Department of Human Services, and a $3 fee that goes to the attorney general’s victim services unit. Fent says fees collected in civil cases for programs outside the court system are an unconstitutional tax.

Officials at agencies that benefit from the fees, which bring in millions of dollars per year, are expressing concern that they could be eliminated. State Question 640, a constitutional amendment passed by voters, requires approval of three-quarters of the House and Senate to increase taxes. But, the Legislature has raised or tacked on fees to pay for state services in lieu of taxes. Fent contends that fees which are not associated with the services they fund, are really a tax. He says that if the programs are needs, they should be funded constitutionally rather than by a non-constitutional transfer from the court system.

OKLAHOMA CAPITAL INVESTMENT BOARD

The Oklahoma Capital Investment Board (OCIB) has sold tax credits to support a state-operated venture capital investment program without following statutory requirements, says state Rep. Mike Reynolds (R-Oklahoma City). As a result, he has called on law enforcement officials to investigate the agency. “We cannot allow a quasi-governmental agency to violate state law without consequence,” said Reynolds. “I have long questioned the legality of OCIB’s activities – this episode is just the most blatant example of the group’s disregard for the rules.”

Oklahoma law (74 O.S. 2001, Section 5085.7), specifically states: “The [Oklahoma Capital Investment] Board shall not transfer tax credits except in conjunction with a legitimate call on a Board guarantee.” On Sept. 18, Reynolds contacted Devon Sauzek, who provides advice to the Board of Trustees of the Oklahoma Capital Investment Board, to determine whether the bank for whose benefit a guaranty was provided by OCIB ever made a formal demand for payment under the terms of the guaranty. Sauzek stated that the bank did not make such a demand, Reynolds said. Without the demand under the terms of the guaranty, OCIB did not have statutory authority to sell the tax credits.

The Oklahoma Capital Investment Board, originally created in 1987, has $100 million in tax credits at its disposal to use as incentives for companies. The agency has no employees and its daily operations have actually been contracted to an outside, private firm that is not required to provide information to lawmakers or members of the public under the state’s Open Records Act.

“This is yet another example of noncompliance by OCIB with the requirements of the statutes that govern its operations, resulting in a loss to the State Treasury and the taxpayers of Oklahoma,” Reynolds said. “I believe this activity warrants a full investigation by the appropriate law enforcement officials.”

HOUSE SPEAKER TESTIFIES

Oklahoma House Speaker Chris Benge (R-Tulsa) testified before Congress in Washington, D.C. on October 21 about his legislative efforts to secure natural gas as a viable transportation alternative fuel option as opposed to foreign oil. Benge appeared before the Congressional Natural Gas Caucus at the invitation of Oklahoma Congressman Dan Boren to tout his alternative energy legislation signed into law earlier this year.

This past legislative session, Benge authored HB 1949, which put in place CNG tax incentives. The measure provides for a 50% tax credit for originally equipped and converted qualified clean-burning motor vehicles. The legislation also provides for a 75% tax credit for the costs that are associated with entities investing in CNG fueling stations. Additionally, the measure also provides a tax credit of up to $2,500 for individuals and entities investing in CNG equipment that allows an individual to fuel their vehicle at home.

Since the enactment of the legislation, a number of companies such as AT&T, Apache, Chesapeake, OEM Systems and UPS have announced plans to convert a significant portion of their nationwide fleets to CNG vehicles, with an emphasis placed on their Oklahoma vehicles first. In another bill, House Bill 1952, the state Department of Central Services is authorized to utilize state funds for the construction of alternative fueling stations in underserved areas of the state.

During his speech to the caucus, Benge also mentioned support for Congressman John Sullivan’s legislation that would reauthorize the Natural Gas Vehicle Research, Development, Demonstration and Deployment program within the Department of Energy for five years. He also praised Sen. Jim Inhofe and Congressman Boren’s efforts to streamline EPA certification of conversion kits in a bipartisan, bicameral bill which would allow more kits to be manufactured and put to market.

The Congressional Natural Gas Caucus is a newly-formed group meant to create awareness of the benefits of natural gas and importance of maintaining and creating American jobs within the industry. It includes over 40 members of Congress, including Co-Chairman and Co-Founder of the caucus, Congressman Boren, Congressmen Sullivan, and Congresswoman Mary Fallin.

OPEN BOOKS 2.0

With the deadline for state agencies to provide information on how stimulus dollars have been spent, Oklahomans for Responsible Government is working on an idea for the 2010 legislative session: Providing more information to taxpayers on the state’s Open Books website. “Open Books was a landmark achievement for Oklahoma,” said Brian Downs, OFRG’s Executive Director. “Putting state spending on the internet for taxpayers to see led the way for other states to do the same, but it’s now time for an upgrade.”

Taxpayers should have more details available on Open Books. Luckily, the state is already required to have this level of detail for the spending of stimulus dollars according to the Office of State Finance. This new system being developed for stimulus dollars should immediately be expanded to include all state expenditures on Open Books.

Open Books 2.0 should include: a centralized reporting system that posts vendor amounts under the stimulus threshold of $25,000, a searchable database of state expenditures in real time and details on what was purchased with state dollars. Lawmakers should also look at other states and incorporate the best parts of their transparency websites into Open Books 2.0. “If the state can do this for stimulus funds, it can do it for the rest of state spending,” said Downs. “Taxpayers should be able to see what goods or services were purchased with the money, not just the vendor name and a total amount.”

Without Open Books 2.0, Oklahomans will know more about how the estimated $2.6-billion in stimulus dollars will be spent than the $6.5-billion in the rest of the budget. Right now, for instance, you can see that the Oklahoma Historical Society paid a Maryland firm that specializes in decorative concrete walls over $814,000, but you have no idea what was purchased or when. The state already has this information; the problem is getting it to the public.

STATES TO DEFUND ACORN

State Rep. Gary Banz (R-Midwest City) is joining state lawmakers across the country in calling for an end to taxpayer funding for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). Congress voted to defund ACORN and both the IRS and Census Bureau have severed their relationships with the organization. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has identified several states that provide funding to ACORN and its affiliates – New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Illinois. In response, ALEC’s members have passed a resolution calling on all states to conduct audits to identify and immediately end all funding to ACORN and its affiliates.

Banz plans to introduce a resolution at the beginning of the legislative session next February opposing any further government funding of ACORN. “ACORN has more than 1,200 neighborhood chapters in 75 cities across the nation and some of those organizations have received taxpayer money,” Banz said. “Fortunately, it does not appear Oklahoma currently funds the group, but the recent revelations of apparently illegal ACORN activity have called into question their mission and the appropriateness of any taxpayer funds being given to them.”
Banz said the taped evidence of ACORN employees willfully assisting tax evasion and child prostitution was the last straw. “I proudly join other state lawmakers around the country in calling for an end to all state funding of this group,” Banz said.

BOTTLE DEPOSIT PROGRAM

Oklahomans may soon be paying a deposit on beverage containers. State Rep. Ryan Kiesel (D-Seminole) plans to file legislation to implement a bottle deposit program in the state.

In September, Kiesel completed an interim study examining the pros and cons of a bottle deposit system in the state. “After this study, the benefits of a bottle deposit program in Oklahoma are clear,” said Kiesel. He continued, “Whether you’re looking at the millions saved by reducing litter on our highways, the increase in state revenue without raising taxes, the positive environmental impact, or the opportunities for economic growth, a bottle deposit program delivers on all counts.”
With a bottle deposit program, a retailer pays a deposit to the distributor for each can or bottle purchased. When the consumer returns the empty container to the retail store, redemption center, or a reverse vending machine, the deposit is refunded.

Unredeemed deposits from beverage containers that consumers do not return for the refund can amount to millions of dollars a year. Some suggested uses for these funds include helping cover the collection costs to the distributors and retailers, adding to the funds to the state's general revenue, or earmarking the money to pay for local recycling programs. Currently, 11 states have bottle deposit programs.

PETITION TO LIFT GUN BANS

State Rep. Mike Sanders (R-Kingfisher) will add his signature to a brief that will be submitted by the plaintiff in an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case challenging state and local bans of the right to keep and bear firearms. McDonald v. Chicago challenges the constitutionality of the Chicago gun ban and will soon be heard by the Supreme Court. Sanders said as a card-carrying National Rifle Association (NRA) member, he is joining the organization's effort to collect as many signatures from state lawmakers as they can to include in an amicus curiae (or “friend of the court”) brief.

“The Supreme Court has already struck down the District of Columbia’s gun ban and said that the Second Amendment guarantees our right to have guns in the home for self-defense,” Sanders, said. “Oddly, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Chicago gun ban, but I believe the Supreme Court will reverse the lower court ruling and again uphold our Second Amendment rights. The NRA is asking state lawmakers to add their signatures to a brief to establish that many officials across the country support the removal of these state gun bans that needlessly and unconstitutionally restrict the rights of ordinary citizens.” Sanders said he believes it highly unlikely that the Supreme Court would uphold state gun bans after striking down the District of Columbia’s ban, but that he thinks the NRA is right to focus on the issue.

WORKERS’ COMP REFORM

Members of the House Economic Development and Financial Services Committee considered a major overhaul of Oklahoma’s workers compensation system. State Rep. Mark McCullough, who has authored a major reform bill on the topic, said the state could significantly improve employee benefits and lower business expenses, making Oklahoma more attractive to new industry.

“Our current workers compensation system seems to fail all parties involved except lawyers,” said McCullough, a Sapulpa Republican who is also an attorney. McCullough plans to file legislation that would drive down workers comp costs while improving worker benefits.

McCullough noted that attorney involvement is 50 percent higher in Oklahoma’s workers comp system than the national average. “Unfortunately, according to speakers at this study, the insane amount of litigation in our system has led to a dubious distinction for Oklahoma: Our system pays out more than 100 percent of the actual cost of the average claim,” McCullough said. “That doesn’t benefit workers. Experts have told us our permanent partial disability rates are the highest in the region, but actual medical costs for claims are 40 percent lower than the nation. That tells you our system does little to help workers but a lot to help lawyers.” One speaker at the study noted that although the benefits specified in state law are comparable to work comp benefits in other states, the actual cost of those benefits in Oklahoma is the most expensive in the nation.

BOREN REBUKES WILSON

On September 16, Oklahoma Democrat Congressman Dan Boren was the only member of the Oklahoma delegation voting to admonish or rebuke South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson for his heckling of President Obama. During president’s healthcare speech to the joint session of Congress, Obama made a series of false statements about the proposed healthcare legislation. When the president said that illegal immigrants would not be covered by the bill, Wilson blurted out, “You lie!” Rep. Wilson later apologized to the White House for the outburst, but House Democrats insisted on having a vote to admonish Wilson. Republican Representatives Mary Fallin, Tom Cole, Frank Lucas and John Sullivan voted against the measure which was passed overwhelmingly by Democrats in control of the U.S. House.

OPT OUT OF OBAMACARE

State Rep. Mike Ritze (R-Broken Arrow) is promoting legislation he plans to file next year that will allow a vote of the people to opt out of the proposed federal health care system. Ritze was the keynote speaker at the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, and spoke about the Oklahoma legislation. “The Association of Physicians and Surgeons is made up of 10,000 physicians who support the free enterprise of medicine,” said Ritze who is also a board-certified family practice physician and surgeon.

“They are actively informing the public about the dangers of socialized medicine and, like the overwhelming majority of Americans, do not want to see the current health care system overhauled.” Ritze said his legislation will help Oklahomans opt out of any federal health care plan with a public option. “Many of the proposals under consideration in Congress are likely to result in reduced access to a family doctor, rationing of services, or even outright denial of care if a bureaucrat decides it is not a ‘best practice.’ My legislation would give the voters the ability to protect and preserve their existing health care coverage.”

Modeled on an Arizona proposal, Ritze’s legislation would place language on the ballot to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to declare what types of health care systems could lawfully exist in the state. The proposed constitutional amendment would prohibit any law or rule from directly or indirectly compelling any person or employer to participate in any health care system; Allow any person or employer to pay directly for lawful health care services without paying any penalties or fines; Permit a health care provider to provide directly purchased lawful health services without paying any penalties or fines; and Stipulate that subject to reasonable and necessary rules that do not substantially limit a person’s options, the purchase or sale of private health insurance will not be prohibited. The amendment would not change what health care services a provider is required to perform or what health care services are permitted by law.

TRANS-TEXAS CORRIDOR

In October, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) apparently ended the Trans-Texas Corridor, the controversial plan by Gov. Rick Perry to build a foreign-owned toll-road network across the state. Last January, TxDOT announced that the Trans-Texas Corridor was dead because of public outrage and a backlash from state legislators. But, planning for the corridor quietly continued. A consortium led by Cintra of Madrid, Spain and Zachry Construction of San Antonio had prepared a master plan, and a detailed environmental study of the TTC-35 corridor was under way. Now TxDOT declared the program is really dead.

The news came the day after Perry's Republican primary opponent in the U.S. Senate race, current Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, secured the endorsement of the Texas Farm Bureau – which has battled with Perry over eminent domain and private property rights associated with the program. Farmers and ranchers have opposed the corridor plan because of the private land it would take.

TxDOT announced they will not build TTC-35, a key part of the corridor that was to parallel Interstate 35 between Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio. The Trans-Texas Corridor was originally pushed as an innovative way to pay for improvements to reduce congestion in metro areas. Opponents seized on several components of the plan, including the taking of private property to build the roads, the impact of tolls on Texans and the impact of foreign ownership of the toll-roads. Some opponents charged that the Trans-Texas Corridor was the first link of the NAFTA Superhighway which would extend through Oklahoma and across the country to moves imports from China via Mexico. The Superhighway would be owned by international companies which would be beyond the control of any state.


TRANSATLANTIC DIALOGUE

State Rep. Joe Dorman (D-Rush Springs) will join two other American state lawmakers and one Canadian federal lawmaker on the Friedrich Naumann Foundation’s Transatlantic Dialogue Program Study and Information Tour of Germany. The Transatlantic Dialogue Program (TAD) is part of the German Friedrich Naumann Foundation. The TAD promotes the exchange among decision makers to share their ideas, opinions, and experiences in order to formulate new approaches and solutions for future-orientated politics. Part of this dialogue is a program for German and U.S. State Legislators as well as Canadian Federal Legislators.

The program will give the participants an opportunity to experience on a first-hand basis how policy problems are resolved in Germany. "This is a rare opportunity and I am greatly honored to be a part in hopefully improving our trade and diplomatic relations, as well as increasing the understanding of all the systems of government represented on this trip,” Dorman said.

Dorman will also speak at two public events: one in Dresden and one in Berlin, where he will talk about the current political situation in the United States. “These exchange programs are a very valuable platform for decision makers on both sides of the Atlantic to talk to each other and learn more about their work,” says Claus Gramckow, representative for USA and Canada, Transatlantic Dialogue Program, Friedrich Naumann Foundation. Dorman said that no taxpayer dollars would fund the trip. “The Friedrich Naumann Foundation will cover all transportation costs and accommodations and I will cover any further expenses,” Dorman said. The trip will run from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1.

EXPOSING TERRORISM

Since 9/11 the face of terrorism has been mostly Islamic. But Islam is only one part of the terror triangle, and NOT the most important part, says Art Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of The John Birch Society. Mr. Thompson will be speaking in Oklahoma City at the Character Conference Center (520 W. Main Street) on November 12. The title of his 7:30 PM presentation is Exposing Terrorism – Inside the Terror Triangle. Thompson will reveal and document the players who back, boost, and drive terrorism and explains how America is focusing on the wrong enemy. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. For more information call: 405-348-9991.

There are no reader comments about this story

Ad Your Comment: