Romney Plans Oklahoma City Event August 14th

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will make a campaign stop in Oklahoma City on August 14th, former Congressman Ernest Istook said today.

Istook said Romney will appear at an "Ask Mitt Anything" gathering at noon in the Boren Student Center at the OU Health Sciences Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Fallin Sees Progress In Iraq

Congresswoman Mary Fallin, R-Oklahoma City, just back from a whirlwind weekend trip to Iraq, joined six other House Members today in reporting progress made by U.S. troops there. Fallin said that conditions are improving and that politicians should remain committed to fighting the War on Terror.

"I am proud to have spent last weekend with some of our nation's bravest men and women," Fallin said, "What I heard from our troops and from our commanders in Iraq was encouraging.

"The progress that U.S. and Iraqi soldiers have made is remarkable. In the city of Ramadi, for example, U.S. forces have successfully turned a command post for Al Qaeda into one of the most encouraging stories in Iraq. Only months ago, Iraqi and American commanders noted that the city was a "lost cause." Al Qaeda had consumed the community. But with the cooperation of tribal Sheiks, Iraqi armed forces and U.S. troops, Al Qaeda was successfully driven out. Ramadi was once the most dangerous city in Iraq, ravaged by hundreds of IED and suicide bomb attacks as recent as April. Two days ago, however, I was able to walk down the street of a local market safely.

"There is still a lot to be done in Iraq. Success or failure will ultimately rest on the ability of the Iraqi people to defend themselves and end sectarian strife.

"Iraqi politicians and soldiers know that the patience of American families is wearing thin. But while we help Iraqis take responsibility for their own nation, it is important not to overlook the commitment and obvious progress made by American troops in the field."

Image of Fallin in Iraq with U. S. troops courtesy her office

Stem's Inaccurate Report Draws Murphey Action

Prompted by a recent incorrect filing by Capitol lobbyist Bobby Stem, a state representative who has pledged to refuse all gifts from lobbyists is calling for the creation of a "no gift list" for legislators.

State Rep Jason Murphey (R-Guthrie, left) said he returned or refused hundreds of dollars in lobbyist gifts during the past session.

Murphey said returning the gifts has been a major challenge since gifts are often left with office staff or mailed to his home: "I want to spend my time in the Legislature working for the people, not accepting lobbyist gifts and certainly not going through the hassle of returning unwanted gifts," Murphey said.

Murphey had considered sponsoring legislation allowing state lawmakers to be placed on a "no gift list," but did not act on the idea this year. Murphey said he decided to press the issue on Monday when The Oklahoman published a list of lawmakers who have received lobbyists'gifts. Murphey was shocked when the paper reported that he had received a $70 dinner from a lobbyist.

"I don't think I have ever eaten a $70 dinner in my entire life, much less one that was paid for by a lobbyist," he said. The report filed by Stem contained a clerical error which Stem has agreed to correct so Murphey's constituents will know he has not broken his pledge.

Murphey's proposal would create a voluntary list with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission for lawmakers wishing to avoid all appearance of impropriety. Lobbyists would be prevented from giving to lawmakers who ask to be on the list. Murphey said the list would put pressure on legislators since he believes constituents would demand that lawmakers place themselves on the list.

Terrill Seeks Donor IDs From 'Legal Defense Fund'

State Rep. Randy Terrill today called on the "Say No to 1804 Legal Defense Fund" to identify its donors as the group seeks to repeal a state law restricting taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal aliens.

"The failure to disclose donors prevents media scrutiny and keeps the public from knowing the real agenda of those who are promoting the judicial equivalent of a ballot measure," said Terrill, a Moore Republican who authored Oklahoma's law cracking down on illegal aliens.

"While we support the secret ballot in Oklahoma, we should not support secret campaign donations," said Terrill.

Coburn Rips Congress On Earmark Reforms

U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, released the following statement today regarding the “Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007.”

“Rather than opening the secret chambers of government to the public, this new Congress has opted to change the locks. This bill, which was negotiated in secret, guts key earmark reforms that both houses of Congress approved overwhelmingly. Unfortunately, this process shows that Congress’s 28 percent approval rating is well-deserved,” Coburn said.

“The problem in Washington is not lobbyists, but members of Congress. This bill solves the wrong problem and creates new ways to hide earmarks. For example, it is ludicrous to give the Majority Leader of either party, not the objective Senate parliamentarian, new unilateral powers to police earmarks. It is also obscene that the Senate gutted a key reform preventing senators from directing earmarks to family members. The new language mirrors existing Senate rules which have done nothing to prevent these serious conflicts of interest,” Coburn said.

“In the last election, the American people said they wanted the earmark favor factory to be shut down, not turned over to new management. As our Republican majority learned, breaking promises has consequences. Congress first broke its promise to impose an earmark moratorium by offering 32,000 earmarks. Now Congress has signaled its determination to continue the secretive earmark favor factory,” Coburn said.

Henry Asks For More Federal Flood Assistance

Governor Brad Henry asked the federal government today to expand the number of Oklahomans who can receive individual assistance for damages suffered from flooding and severe storms this spring and summer. The governor wants federal authorities to add another 16 counties to a federal disaster declaration granted for individual assistance earlier this month. The counties are Blaine, Bryan, Canadian, Cleveland, Cotton, Grady, Kiowa, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, Oklahoma, Payne, Pontotoc, Rogers, Seminole and Stephens. Five counties – Comanche, Nowata, Ottawa, Pottawatomie and Washington – have been approved for individual assistance thus far.

Blogger Updates: What's With Calvey, Istook?

Lots of questions about two relatively new blogs, those featuring U. S. Army Captain Kevin Calvey, former state representative stationed in Iraq, and former Congressman Ernest Istook. Posts on the two blogs have been few and far between; Calvey hasn't posted since early July and Istook since mid-July.

Calvey apparently has issues with The Oklahoman over its changes to his blog, including the format and links. He tells us he'll get back to blogging when he takes a leave before long.

Istook's site was down for a while, he said, for changes to be made. Since then, a few changes have been made but posts have been irregular.

Wesselhoft Moves To Restrict Cell Phone Usage

People need to stop using cell phones and keep both hands on the wheel when driving, says Rep. Paul Wesselhöft. The Moore Republican plans to file legislation to increase punishments for cell-phone-using drivers.

Under Wesselhöft's bill if an automobile accident can be attributed to cell-phone use, the penalty will be a mandatory $1,000 fine and a mandatory 20 days in jail along with any other penalties for other crimes associated with the accident.

"I hope a result of passing a bill like this will be to strongly encourage drivers to pull off the road to a safe area if they must use their cell phones," said Wesselhöft. "This will save people from serious injuries or death. There's no reason for more innocent lives to be lost because a phone call or text 'couldn't wait.'"

Wesselhöft noted that recently in New York a 17-year-old driver slammed head-on to a truck, killing her and four other recent high school graduates. The driver was text messaging friends at the time of the accident.

A research study by the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) showed drivers looked at the road less while dialing manually (just 40 percent of the time) than when using hands-free dialing (50 percent). "I hope my bill is taken seriously because I think saving people's lives is a serious issue," said Wesselhöft. "If my bill passes the public will be amazed to see how many accidents can be attributed to cell phone use."

Wesselhöft said his bill would not prohibit the use of cell phones when driving but will have penalties for those who cause accidents due to their lack of paying attention to the road.

Citing the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, Wesselhöft said cell phones have been a contributing factor in hundreds of automobile accidents in recent years:1998-98 accidents; 1999-107 accidents; 2000-93 accidents; 2001-134 accidents; 2002-235 accidents; 2003-337 accidents; 2004-567 accidents; 2005-775 accidents; 2006-802 accidents.

The OHSO also reported that in 2006 there were 3 fatalities and 36 individuals incapacitated in accidents where cells phones were a major factor.

Mike Reynolds Alleges Jim Roth Gave Drew Edmondson Illegal Donations

It appears newly appointed Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth has violated state law by giving illegal campaign contributions to Attorney General Drew Edmondson, State Rep. Mike Reynolds alleged Friday.

"While reviewing Attorney General Drew Edmondson's recent letter to the Ethics Commission admitting to being an illegal conduit for political contributions I discovered that not only did he give illegal contributions but he received them as well," said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City.

"The issue at hand is two different contributions given from the campaign account of County Commissioner Jim Roth to the campaign account of Drew Edmondson. After careful scrutiny of the ethics rules,applicable statutes and discussions with officials in the State Ethics Commission, I believe Roth's contributions violated state law."

Reynolds has routinely been a watchdog over various filings at the Ethics Commission and is recognized as an expert in ethics database issues.

The contributions in question were given in October 2005 and May2006. Both contributions were recorded in Edmondson's reports as being from the Jim Roth for County Commissioner campaign committee.

"Under normal circumstances I would have gone to the Attorney General and asked for an investigation into the matter since it included highly placed public officials, but I obviously was not going to ask the A.G. to investigate himself," Reynolds said.

The South Oklahoma City lawmaker also noted that he could not find any reference to the contributions in Roth's ethics reports.

"I hope Commissioner Roth was not attempting to hide these contributions because he did not list them on line 16a of his County Commissioner ethics report which is also required by law," Reynolds said.

Senate Accepts Coburn Earmarks Amendment

The U.S. Senate accepted an amendment by U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) requiring all congressional earmarks undergo the same competitive bidding process as grants and contracts within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Senate also unanimously accepted a Coburn amendment requiring transparency and openness in the disaster declaration process of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The amendments were included in the fiscal year 2008 Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill.

Fallin Makes DC 'Most Beautiful' List

Congresswoman Mary Fallin has been named among the U. S. Capitol's "50 Most Beautiful People." The freshman 5th District representative won the seat last fall after serving as lieutenant governor. Fallin is included in the list, compiled by The Hill, influential Capitol Hill publication.

Image courtesy The Hill

Sales Tax Holiday Coming August 3rd

Governor Brad Henry today cleared the way for the state’s first sales tax holiday by signing the final administrative rules that will govern the new program. The three-day sales tax holiday will begin Friday, August 3. Purchases of clothing and footwear up to $100 will be exempt from the sales tax. The tax holiday will be an annual event the first weekend in August.

“This will help parents with their back-to-school shopping and give Oklahoma retailers a boost at the same time,” said Henry. “In past years, Oklahomans have taken their money to Texas to take advantage of that state’s sales tax holiday. There’s no reason to keep exporting Oklahoma retail dollars south of the Red River.”

The rules approved by the Governor today will allow the Oklahoma Tax Commission to administer the new program and the temporary suspension of the sales tax.

Morrissette Suggests DOC Audit Manipulation

The Legislature may have underfunded the Department of Corrections in order to manipulate a $1 million independent performance audit of the organization, says Rep. Richard Morrissette.

The Department of Corrections was underfunded by $42 million, despite agency officials and legislators agreeing that amount was needed by the department to do its job for Fiscal Year 2008, said Morrissette.

“If the Department of Corrections isn’t given the appropriation it needs, which it clearly wasn’t, of course they will come out on the wrong end of an independent performance audit,” said Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City. “We have the State Auditor and Inspector right here in the Capitol with not only the Constitutional mandate to audit and review state agencies, but also the expertise and experience to do so.

“It begs the question: why not save the state $1 million and have the State Auditor and Inspector’s Office handle this function? It is apparent that someone in the House majority doesn’t like our state auditor.And by the way, who are the so-called legislative leaders who picked this non-Oklahoma company to conduct this audit?”

In May, the Legislature approved a $1 million performance audit of the department to find a qualified firm to conduct the review of both the DOC’s operational costs and its internal policies that may be contributing to the agency’s annual budget shortfall.

This month, the state contracted with MGT of America, Inc. to conduct the independent review at a cost of $844,000.

Morrissette said it is a given that the audit will put the department in a bad light, which will lead to an increase in the use of privately run prisons in Oklahoma in the future.

“This is an overt attempt to bash a state agency and place the state corrections system on the path to a particular agenda of privately controlled prisons throughout the state,” said Morrissette. “This expenditure is unnecessary, appears politically motivated and will not result in better government."

Morrissette said the most obvious solution, short of allowing the State Auditor’s Office to conduct the review, is to form a legislative task force to study the issue and submit a report to the Legislature prior to the reconvening of the legislative session in February.

Homosexuals Elected To Lead Young Democrats

Washington, DC - The National Stonewall Democrats (NSD) congratulated a newly-elected leadership of the Young Democrats of America (YDA) , including two openly-gay Stonewall Democrats who will now lead the organization as President and Executive Vice-President through 2009.

"Young voters are the new base of the Democratic Party, and we are proud that the Young Democrats of America support equality for LGBT families and have placed their faith in the leadership of two great Democratic leaders who happen to be gay," said Jo Wyrick, NSD Executive Director. "The future of our party now has an opportunity to demonstrate to all Democrats how fully engaging our community is politically viable and smart."

On Sunday, David Hardt (Texas) was elected as President of the Young Democrats of America with 93% of the delegate votes during the organization's national convention in Dallas. Also elected on Sunday was Chris Anderson (Tennessee) as the organization's Executive Vice President.

The election of Hardt and Anderson mark the first time that the Young Democrats of America will be led by an openly-gay leadership team.

The Young Democrats of America GLBT Caucus also elected its new leadership on Saturday, including the election of NSD Board Member Kyle Bailey (Georgia) as Caucus Vice-Chair. Bailey also serves as President of the Atlanta Stonewall Democrats. The other elected GLBT Caucus officers include Rachel Kau-Tayler (California) as Caucus Chair, Rob Hudson (Florida) as Caucus Secretary and Byron LaMasters (Texas) as Caucus Treasurer.

The Young Democrats of America have undertaken a dramatic outreach to LGBT Democrats over the past several years. Congruently, the National Stonewall Democrats have also increased their outreach to LGBT Young and College Democrats. NSD has established youth scholarships for national trainings, including the "Keith Smith Fund" designed to honor the outreach work of former NSD Board Member Keith Smith of Oklahoma. Over the past two years, young leaders within the Stonewall Democrats have also established Stonewall Young Democrats chapters across the country, which serve to organize LGBT Youth within the Democratic Party. As the official youth arm of the Democratic Party, YDA mobilizes young people under the age of 36 to participate in the electoral process, influence the ideals of the Democratic Party and develops the skills of the youth generation to serve as leaders at the local and national level. YDA has 43 chartered states and US territories with over 1,500 local chapters. In 2003, members of the National Stonewall Democrats authored and passed language adopted by YDA which declared the organization's support for civil marriage for same-sex couples.

Henry Announces New Appointments

Governor Brad Henry has announced the following appointments to a number of state boards and commissions:

Susan Savage, Oklahoma City, to the Southern Regional Education Board for a term expiring June 30, 2011. She replaces herself.

Shari Kinney, Norman, to the Interagency Coordinating Council for Early Childhood Intervention for a term expiring Jan. 1, 2010. She replaces herself.

Heather Pike, Edmond, to the Interagency Coordinating Council for Early Childhood Intervention for a term expiring Jan. 1, 2010. She replaces herself.

Kermit McMurry, Edmond, to the Interagency Coordinating Council for Early Childhood Intervention for a term expiring Jan. 1, 2010. He replaces himself.

Paul B. Meyer, Oklahoma City, to the State Capitol Preservation Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2012. He replaces Sharon Bartlett.

Lisa Smith, Oklahoma City, to the Governor’s Task Force on Prevention of Underage Drinking to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. She fills a new position.

Gayle R. Jones, Oklahoma City, to the Governor’s Task Force on Prevention of Underage Drinking to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. She fills a new position.

Anne M. Roberts, Norman, to the Governor’s Task Force on Prevention of Underage Drinking to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. She fills a new position.

Kaye Statton, Edmond, to the Governor’s Task Force on Prevention of Underage Drinking to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. She fills a new position.

Andrea Nalani LaFazia, Oklahoma City, to the Governor’s Task Force on Prevention of Underage Drinking to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. She fills a new position.

Roderick “Pete” Norwood, Oklahoma City, to the Governor’s Task Force on Prevention of Underage Drinking to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. He fills a new position.

Don Smitherman, Norman, to the Merit Protection Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2010. He replaces himself.

Gene Moses, Sayre, to the Merit Protection Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2010. He replaces himself.

Nick A. Bruno, Depew, to the Waste Tire Recycling Task Force for a term expiring July 1, 2008. He fills a new position.

Andrea Collum, Oklahoma City, to the Oklahoma License Plate Design Task Force for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2007. She fills a new position.

Staci Foresee, Oklahoma City, to the Oklahoma License Plate Design Task Force for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2007. She fills a new position.

Amy Michelle Owens, McAlester, to the Interagency Coordinating Council for Early Childhood Intervention for a term expiring Jan. 1, 2008. She replaces Tracy Mittasch, who resigned.

Joe Snyder, Oklahoma City, to the Real Estate Appraiser Board for a term expiring July 1, 2012. He replaces himself.

Jana S. Barker, Elgin, to the Real Estate Appraiser Board for a term expiring July 1, 2012. She replaces herself.

Jerry Pectol, Oklahoma City, to the Oversight Committee for State Employee Charitable Contributions to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. He replaces Rhonda Burgess, who resigned.

Jim W. Bruza, Oklahoma City, to the Board of Governors of the Licensed Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers of Oklahoma for a term expiring Jan. 9, 2012. He replaces himself.

Ten Counties Get Disaster Designation

Ten Oklahoma counties that sustained severe weather damage in early May are now eligible to receive federal assistance for public infrastructure repairs and other costs, according to Governor Brad Henry. He announced today that Canadian, Cotton, Grady, Grant, Hughes, Logan, McClain, McIntosh, Pawnee and Tillman counties have been approved to receive public assistance under a presidential disaster declaration originally issued June 7th. The declaration covers storms that occurred May 4-11.

Gingrich Says Thompson Could Keep Him Out

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said that a White House bid by fellow Southerner Fred Thompson would make him less likely to join the race. "If Fred Thompson runs and he does well, then I think that makes it easier for me to not run," Gingrich said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "On the other hand, just given what you've seen with (John) McCain the last few months, how can you predict?"

Lobbyist Gifts To State Officials Detailed By AP

Oklahoma elected officials, mostly legislators, received watches, cash gifts, expensive meals and tickets to concerts and athletic events from lobbyists during the first six months of 2007, according to reports filed with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. Read AP writer Ron Jenkins' full story here.

Senate Leaders Give Interim Studies Green Light

The leaders of the Oklahoma State Senate announced their approval today of 35 interim legislative studies on issues ranging from Oklahoma’s graduation dropout rates to accountability measures at the Department of Human Services.

The study requests were approved by Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, and Co-President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, who share the responsibility of running the evenly-divided Senate.

The leaders said each study will be assigned to the Senate committee with jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in the request

Lucas Moves To Revamp Bioenergy Program

Congressman Frank Lucas, R-3rd District, today moved forward his plans to both encourage the building of cellulosic ethanol refineries and study a possible ethanol pipeline system. He included the provisions from his Rural America Energy Bill in the 2007 Farm Bill, which passed the House Agriculture Committee today.

Lucas’ language to revamp the USDA Bioenergy Program to promote cellulosic refineries was accepted by the agriculture committee. The program will encourage the construction of cellulosic refineries by providing payments for cellulosic ethanol production.

“When people think of ethanol they usually think of corn, but the biggest growth industry in this area is in cellulosic ethanol, from plants such as switchgrass,” Lucas said. “We know switchgrass could be produced here, because 150 years ago switchgrass was growing naturally from one end of the state to the other. The potential for this ethanol production in Oklahoma is tremendous.”

Lucas’ energy bill provisions were accepted as part of the full House Agriculture Committee’s two-day meeting to consider the 2007 Farm Bill, the comprehensive multi-year agriculture policy legislation.

Harris Poll Shows Thompson, Giuliani Tied

Though not yet an official candidate, actor and former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson is now in a statistical dead heat with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani atop the pack of potential Republican presidential nominees, the latest survey from Harris Interactive shows.

Meanwhile, a new Insider Advantage poll in Georgia finds Thompson leading the Republican presidential race with 36%, followed by Rudy Giuliani at 22%, Senator John McCain at 10%, Mitt Romney at 9% and Mike Huckabee at 7%. Said pollster Matt Towery: "Thompson takes his lead by capturing nearly 50 percent of the male respondents. This group tends to be the more conservative segment of the GOP vote. Giuliani still leads among female Republicans in Georgia, but Thompson is not far behind. We will have to see if this huge surge in male support is tied to a regional affinity for the candidate, or represents something that goes beyond the South."

Elgin Chosen For New Army Cannon Center

U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe and Congressman Tom Cole today announced that Boeing, BAE Systems and the U.S. Army have jointly chosen Elgin as the site of the Army’s Non-Line of Sight Cannon (NLOS-C) integration center.

Wilson Releases National Political Assessment

Wilson Research Strategies of Oklahoma City and Washington has released its first National Political Environment Assessment of 2007. WRS is a leading national Republican research and consulting firm. The data presented in the Assessment has been collected from reputable news and academic polling organizations. The analysis and interpretation comes from Chris Wilson and his staff of experts. To access the Latest National Assessment: http://www.w-r-s.com/nationalassessment

Coburn Challenges Private Sector On Census Cost

U. S. Senator Tom Coburn today issued a challenge to the private sector calling for proposals to address the rapidly rising cost of the 2010 Census. The challenge will go out to those in industry, academia, government and elsewhere who may have innovative ideas for bringing the cost down.

“The American people are far more innovative than their government in almost every respect. The Census Bureau’s reluctance to employ new methods and online tools goes against the grain of common sense. If we can collect taxes online from any tax filers, surely we can count every American quickly, inexpensively and accurately,” Coburn said.

At a hearing this afternoon of the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management (FFM), the Census Bureau will announce that the most recent cost of the next census is estimated to be at least $11.5 billion. When broken down on a per household basis, it will cost more than $90 to count each household.

The Government Accountability Office has reported that the 2010 count is vulnerable to potentially fatal management and technical failures, as well as the massive cost over-runs that have characterized each Census in recent decades. The cost has gone from under a billion dollars in 1970, doubling by 1980 ($2.2 billion), increasing by 50 percent in 1990 ($3.3 billion), doubling again in 2000 to $6.6 billion and now doubling again to somewhere around a projected cost of $12 billion for 2010. The American population has not increased at a proportional rate. In fact, the per-household cost of the first census in 1790 was less than a penny. In 1970, it was under $2. Yet somehow, the cost today is at $90 per household. The Census Bureau has refused to provide an option to Americans to be counted online, despite the fact that more than 70 percent of American adults are online.

“It is time for out-of-the-box thinking to rein in costs, increase efficiency and still fulfill the Constitutional mandate to count every American,” Coburn said.

Coburn also made news during a hearing. The Associated Press reported, "A US senator from Oklahoma says Border Patrol agents should be allowed to shoot at fleeing drug traffickers. The patrol's deadly force rules were questioned today at a US Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington. The matter involves the conviction of 2 West Texas agents who in 2005 shot a fleeing, unarmed drug trafficker and covered it up. Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn asked, quote: "Why is it wrong to shoot the (trafficker) after he's been told to stop?" US attorney Johnny Sutton, for the Western District of Texas, said the Supreme Court has ruled that using deadly force in that way is illegal.

Alrighty Then!

Rick Buchanan, County Commissioner Ray Vaughn's top guy, spotted this sign at Highway 33 and Broadway near Guthrie. A bit of poetic license at work?

Hamilton Accepts Pro-life Honor, Rips Criticism By Oklahoma Pro-Abortion Democrats

State Rep. Rebecca Hamilton's role in enacting pro-life laws in Oklahoma recently received national attention when she was a featured speaker at the National Democrats for Life of America annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

Hamilton urged pro-life Democrats to make their voices heard in both their party and the broader political process, regardless of any attacks that may come from the political left or right; "Protection of the unborn is just as important as defending the poor and the elderly, but for some reason it is controversial for a Democrat to stand up for unborn babies," said Hamilton, D-Oklahoma City. "That has to stop. The right to life should not be the property of one political party, but a value shared by all Americans regardless of partisan affiliation."

Hamilton is state director of Oklahoma Democrats for Life of America and House author of two major pro-life laws approved in the past three years, including a ban on state funding for abortions and a law requiring informed consent and parental notification for abortion.

"We've been trying to book Representatives Hamilton for several years and were so happy she could speak at our conference," said Kristen Day, executive director of Democrats for Life of America. "Rebecca has been a leader among Democratic women in promoting pro-life causes -protecting the life of the unborn, aiding battered women and rape victims, caring for the elderly, defunding the Darfur genocide, and other human rights issues."

"Every state needs a House member like Representative Hamilton,"said Carol N. Crossed, vice-president for State Chapter Development for National Democrats for Life. "She is a reminder of what the party stands for. Her concern for our Party is translated in the courage and passion she represents at the state level in passing legislation that helps pregnant women make a good choice."

However, because of her active role in pro-life issues, Hamilton has been the target of non-stop attacks by individuals who do not share her views on the sanctity of life. Because of their pro-life views, Hamilton and a Senate colleague were both targeted for public reprimand during this year's Oklahoma Democratic Party Convention. The resolution failed by only 50 votes out of nearly 400 cast. Hamilton noted she was targeted for reprimand in spite of a solid voting record in support of traditional Democratic Party issues. A Journal Record Legislative Report analysis of voting trends shows that Hamilton broke with Republican leaders in the Oklahoma House of Representatives on hundreds of votes this year, more often than all but four of the 44 House Democrats. "I have a 100-percent voting record on legislation to help working people going back 30 years. I am a feminist who has worked tirelessly all my adult life to end the plague of violence against women and to obtain basic human rights for all people. I have passed or helped pass bills promoting quality medical care, nursing home reform and other core Democratic issues.

"I have one of the strongest Democratic voting records in the Oklahoma Legislature," Hamilton said. "There is only one reason for the two-year campaign of character assassination launched against me by members of my own party: I am pro life. I've said this over and over again, and I mean it. I will not kill anyone. I believe that the first human right is the right to life. Without that, no other human right matters. Of all the stands I've taken, that is easily the most controversial. It has provoked the nastiest, most prolonged smear campaign I've ever experienced in all my years in politics. I have been a Democrat all my life. I love my party. But I can only say plainly that if the Democratic Party does not want to be known as the party of abortion, it needs to stop attacking its own members for being pro-life."

Inhofe's Campaign Fund Tops $1.4 Million

U. S. Senator Jim Inhofe has more than $1.4 million in cash on hand after raising more than $725,000 in the 2nd Quarter, a new campaign finance report to be filed soon will show. Inhofe has raised more than $2.4 million for his planned 2008 reelection campaign. He was elected to the Senate in 1994, and reelected in 1996 and 2002. He's a former member of the State House, served as mayor of Tulsa and was the 1st District Congressman from 1987 to 1996.

State GOP Acquires Loveless Blog

Later this week, www.okgopchat.com will be owned and moderated by the State Republican Party, founder Kyle Loveless said today. "I have had a blast being the person that got a GOP-themed chat board up and running," Loveless said. He placed the board for sale a few months ago. Loveless, former member of Ernest Istook's staff, is a GOP political consultant and candidate for the State Senate.

Morgan Named To Laws Conference

Former Rep. Fred Morgan, legal counsel for Senate Co-Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, has been named an associate commissioner of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, an unpaid position he will hold until 2010.

The Gadfly On The Wall

Dog Days: Summer brings the dog days of governmental and political news. Unless, of course, you're all over the presidential race(s) already...and I've found few outside the political world who are tuned in. Most ordinary folks aren't paying a bit of attention yet.

Norman News: M. Scott Carter of The Red Dirt Political Report has interesting posts worth your time, one on an audit in Cleveland County, the second on 4th District Congressman Tom Cole.

Thompson In August? Insiders claim Fred Thompson will get into the GOP presidential race sometime in August. He's in no hurry and why should he be? Continues strong in polls, much to the consternation (I am certain) of Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, Mitt Romney and a few others. Thompson will do well in Oklahoma.

NABPAC Anniversary: Thirty years ago, five political types in Oklahoma City got together under the leadership of consultant Don V. Cogman (right) and the result was the National Association of Business Political Action Committees, which this week celebrates its 30th anniversary during a Washington conference. I was invited, but have too many complications to attend. Here's how Cogman describes NABPAC's formation in a piece for the anniversary event: "It was 1977 and a group of five people gathered together in a bar named Scotty’s, now closed, in an office building on Western Ave. in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Two members of that group are now deceased – Jack Edens and Herb Johnson. The other two individuals in addition to myself were Gean Atkinson, just starting out as Founder and President of Atkinson Advertising Associates, and Mike McCarville, former journalist and press secretary to Governor Dewey Bartlett, who at that time worked for a relatively new consulting company, known as Cogman & Associates." I served as NABPAC's executive director from 1980 to 1986, great years and great friendships fondly remembered, especially moments shared with NABPAC's pioneer president, Paul Thornbrugh of Tulsa (then MAPCO's head government affairs guru), and Hobart's own Jack McCandless, a subsequent president via his position with Gates Rubber Company in Denver.

Trebilcock Given Probation In DUI Case

Rep. John Trebilcock, R-Broken Arrow, must work 10 days for the city of Tulsa and attend a state-approved drug- and alcohol-related education program as part of a plea deal related to his drunken-driving arrest in March. Trebilcock agreed to those terms and others after entering a no-contest plea Friday to a DUI charge in Tulsa Municipal Court. Under the terms of the plea deal, the judge overseeing the case withheld a finding of guilt for six months. After six months, if Trebilcock successfully completes his probation, the lawmaker will be permitted to withdraw his no-contest plea to the DUI charge and enter a plea to a reduced charge of reckless driving.

Henry Seeks Further Federal Flood Assistance

Governor Brad Henry today asked for another round of federal disaster assistance, this time to help state and local governments with costs associated with flood-damaged roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

The governor has already requested individual assistance for citizens in several hard-hit areas. In today’s request, Henry asked federal authorities to declare 17 Oklahoma counties disaster areas for purposes of public assistance. If approved, the designation would deliver federal funding to assist cities, towns and counties with infrastructure repairs and costs associated with responding to flooding, tornadoes and other severe weather. The requested counties are: Bryan, Comanche, Cotton, Custer, Hughes, Jefferson, Kiowa, Logan, McIntosh, Oklahoma, Pawnee, Payne, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Seminole, Stephens and Tillman.

Later in the day, federal authorities added three additional counties for individual assistance related to recent flooding and severe weather. Citizens in Comanche, Pottawatomie and Nowata counties are now eligible to apply for federal assistance for housing repairs or temporary housing, disaster unemployment assistance and grants for serious needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other prograns. Low-interest loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are also available for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property.

KOKC Adds Afternoon Sports Show

Oklahoma City radio station KOKC-AM 1520 is adding an afternoon sports show beginning Monday. From 4pm to 7pm, Monday through Friday, the station will broadcasting OU sports. James Hale and Dave Lanning are the co-hosts.

Shelton Wants Gas Price Investigation

State Rep. Mike Shelton today called on Attorney General Drew Edmondson to launch an investigation of fuel prices, saying price-fixing and profiteering appears rampant: "Fuel stations are blaming problems at the Coffeyville refinery for the high prices in Oklahoma, but I'm told very little of that refinery's output was distributed in central and southern Oklahoma," said Shelton, D-Oklahoma City. "How can the fuel supply in those areas be affected by the closure of a plant that wasn't a supplier in those markets?"

Cannaday Questions Longer School Year Idea, Wesselhoft Wants To Add 15 Days

State Rep. Ed Cannaday (D-Porum), a former school administrator, today questioned State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sandy Garrett’s call to expand Oklahoma’s school day and academic year.

“State Superintendent of Public School Sandy Garrett’s 'State of Education' speech on July 10 focused on the challenges facing Oklahoma education. She concluded that we could fix some problems by adding an extra hour per day and an extra week per year. This proposal also includes conducting extracurricular programs after school hours.

“She failed to mention the frequent interruptions to instructional time required by state mandates and required staff development schedules.

“Her recommended expansion would constitute a 20-percent increase in instructional time. However, the educational community learned in their 'block schedule' strategies that this expansion in time does not correlate to additional learning if a teacher does not add at least two different teaching strategies to the extended class period. Some mistakenly approached this as additional time to do assignments in the form of an unofficial study hall. This leads me to be concerned that we are merely adding to our schools another responsibility that should be handled by the family. I and other school officials have found there are long-range negative effects on schools when we isolate the family from participation in their child’s education.

“Many parents will gladly approve the greater time that schools extend their care and nurturing because it frees parents to pursue individual interests and concerns. We must realize that this is the precise difference between the US and the countries mentioned in the Superintendent Garrett’s speech: the families in the nations of Japan and China are intimately involved in their children’s education.

“There are three basic areas that this legislator must have addressed before I will join this parade of 'let’s try something new' led by those wishing to look like real problem-solvers. First, what specific problem are we attempting to solve or minimize by extending the school day/year? I do not mean some glib generality like 'getting students to learn more.' Are we talking about reducing remediation rates as students go to college? Do we want to improve the number of students going to college? What about ACT scores? What about CRT scores? And the list goes on. Each of these will require different strategies to address desired improvements and not just expansion of the school day/year.

“Second, what research based data is available that shows the extension of our school calendar results in a high positive correlation between the desired change and the action taken? We often say, well they are doing it in Kansas and Texas so it must be good. We must focus our plan on a specific problem and see if the school calendar of these other states resulted in the change we desire.

“Third, are the Legislature and state of Oklahoma ready and willing to increase the common education budget by 20 percent (giving schools 45 percent of the total state budget) to attempt this unproven technique to solve an unidentified problem? I believe that the state government will be more responsible than this. We will expect specific problems to be identified with specific proposed research based solution before we commit to such a large increase in expenditures.”

However, State Rep. Paul Wesselhöft drafted a bill last week to extend the number of student class days each school year from 175 to 190. He said today that a recent report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that gave Oklahoma's public school system two "F" grades is evidence that such a change is needed.

"Oklahoma has the lowest number of mandatory school days in the nation, and that's one of the reasons why our students are not as well educated as students in other states and in other nations around the world," said Wesselhöft, R-Moore. "Whether we like it or not, our children will have to compete in a global economy when they enter the workforce, and we must make sure they have every reasonable advantage possible."

GOP Leader Named American Legion Commander

Oklahoma City resident Michael Taylor, former vice chairman of the Oklahoma County Republican Committee, has been named State Commander of the American Legion of Oklahoma. At 38, he's the youngest State Commander in the Nation for the 2007-2008 year.

As the state commander, Taylor will travel Oklahoma during this Centennial year promoting and advocating the programs of the American Legion including American Legion baseball, oratory, Junior Shooters, American Legion Boys State and support of Boy Scouts. Oklahoma has 279 posts and nearly 29,000 members.

What's Randy Terrill Up To?

Blogger Ron Black speculates that Republican House member Randy Terrill may be gearing up for a statewide campaign.

NCAA Hammers Oklahoma Football Program

The NCAA today ordered OU's 2005 football season vacated as a result of two players who were paid for work they didn't do at a Norman auto dealership. Do you agree with the NCAA action? Click on the comment box below to give your opinion.

Henry Broadens Disaster Relief Request, Seeks Special Disaster Designation For Farmers

Governor Brad Henry has asked federal authorities to add Nowata County to a major disaster declaration that President Bush approved July 7 for Ottawa and Washington counties. In addition, Henry renewed his request that Pottawatomie and Comanche counties receive aid under the federal declaration.

And, in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, Henry has requested a Secretarial Disaster Designation for all of Oklahoma’s 77 counties for weather that has occurred since January 1. Such a designation is necessary for Oklahoma farmers to have access to assistance from the federal government.

$125,000 Raised At Republican Event

Oklahoma Republicans raised about $125,000 during a fundraising reception on Tuesday in their effort to take control of the State Senate for the first time in history. They are now tied with Democrats at 24 members each.

"The room was pretty much elbow-to-elbow and shoulder-to-shoulder," said Randy Swanson, executive director of the committee dedicated to seeing the GOP gain seats in the Legislature. "The present senators and past senators who toiled those many years in the minority were excited to see the progress we're making. There was a lot of energy there."

Senator Glenn Coffee was recognized for his service as the top Senate leader this month as part of a power-sharing agreement with Democrats. Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, said he believes the GOP has a good chance of gaining the seats needed to take control.

Boren Staff Salaries Posted

The salaries paid staff members of Congressman Dan Boren, D-2nd District, are posted on the blog www.okdemocrat.com.

State's Coffers Filled With Record Sums

State government had record revenues for the fiscal year that ended June 30, State Treasurer Scott Meacham said today.

Meacham said preliminary figures show general revenue fund collections totaled $5.93 billion, $230.3 million or 4 percent over the previous fiscal year and $227.4 million above the state budget estimate.

For the third year, the state’s “Rainy Day” fund will be filled to its constitutional limit, leaving a surplus of $151.5 million.

Bloomberg's Coalition Loses Another Mayor

From NRA-ILA ~ Oldsmans Township, New Jersey Mayor Harry Moore has resigned his membership from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s anti-gun coalition, continuing the trend of mayors jaded by Bloomberg’s focus on gun control rather than crime control. “I applaud Mayor Harry Moore for having the courage to quit this anti-gun coalition once he recognized Mike Bloomberg's true intentions,” said Chris W. Cox, National Rifle Association (NRA)’s chief lobbyist. “Mayors across the country have come to realize the coalition is nothing more than a front group for gun control.”

Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor remains a member of Bloomberg's coalition.

GOP 'Take The Senate' Event Tonight

Republican leaders headline a fundraising event at 6 p.m. tonight at the Skirvin Hotel to build a GOP Senate majority.

In an invitation, former U. S. Senator Don Nickles wrote, "The Senatorial Committee is hosting 'History in the Making' on Tuesday, July 10th, 2007 at the historic Skirvin Hotel. I urge you to consider participating in this celebration by giving $5000, $2500, $1000 or $500.

"Balancing a tie in the Senate is no easy task. As Co-Leader of the Senate, Senator (Glenn) Coffee has served his caucus and the State with distinction. Oklahomans need a Clear Majority in the State Senate and so does Glenn Coffee. The stakes are too high to sit on the sideline and let Democrats continue to hold our State back."

Joe Allbaugh's Nephew Killed In Iraq

The nephew of former FEMA Director Joe Allbaugh, longtime Oklahoma political consultant who managed President Bush's 2000 presidential campaign, has been killed in Iraq. Marine Corporal Jeremy Allbaugh, a graduate of Harrah High School, was killed last week when a roadside bomb exploded near the Humvee he was in. The 21-year-old Allbaugh joined the Marine Corps at age 18. His family now lives in Whitehouse, Texas. Family members include his father, Jon, and mother, Jenifer.

Tax Cutters Honor Coburn, Inhofe

Washington, D.C. ~ The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) today honored Senators Tom Coburn and Jim Inhofe as Taxpayer Heros for scoring 95 percent on its 2006 Congressional Ratings. The average for the entire Senate was 44 percent. Since 1991, CCAGW has tracked roll call votes to separate the taxpayer advocates in Congress from those who favor wasteful programs and pork-barrel spending. CCAGW said Coburn and Inhofe consistently voted to cut wasteful spending, reduce the tax burden, and make government more accountable to taxpayers.

Flood Assistance Available To Some; Henry Not Happy With Limits Of Federal Action

Residents of Ottawa and Washington counties can receive federal assistance to cope with the results of flooding under the disaster declaration issued by President Bush at the request of Governor Brad Henry. But the governor is not happy because he wants more counties included in the declaration.

The declaration could result in more counties being added to the list as damage surveys are completed by state and federal officials, but Henry wants them added immediately. Read more details in the story on our news ticker on the right side of this page.

The federal disaster declaration means that residents in those counties affected by the flooding can receive assistance including grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.

Applekamp Seeks Senate District 35 Seat

By David Arnett In Tulsa Today ~ With strong pledges for accountability and openness in government Jeff Applekamp announced his candidacy for the Oklahoma State Senate District 35 election in 2008. It is clear he learned from the 2006 effort to capture the State Representative District 69 seat and is building on that momentum. (Read the rest of David's story here.)

Charles Nesbitt Dead At 85

Former Attorney General and Corporation Commissioner Charles Nesbitt is dead at the age of 85. Nesbitt served as attorney general from 1962 to 1966, when he sought the Democratic nomination for governor. In 1968, he was elected to the Corporation Commission and served a six-year term. From 1991 to 1995, he was Okahoma energy secretary in the David Walters Administration.

Wyman: Rice, Corn (No Puns Intended) Eye Inhofe

By Hastings Wyman In The Southern Political Report ~ Two Democratic state senators are considering running against US Sen. Jim Inhofe (R), 72, in 2008. State Sen. Andrew Rice (left), 34, is traveling the state before making his decision, but has already said that he has encountered “an outpouring of support” for a race against Inhofe. Another potential candidate is state Sen. Ken Corn (right), 30, who is in his second and final term in the senate. Read Wyman's complete article here.

Atoka Women Face Campaign Allegations

Two Atoka women, employees of the Kiamichi Technology Center, face accusations they used state computers and printers to illegally print campaign documents for board member Norman Ranger earlier this year.

Machele L. "Shelly" Callicoat and Rebecca A. "Becky" Ward were indicted by the state's mulitcounty grand jury, administered by Attorney General Drew Edmondson.

It is alleged the two used color printers and distributed the printed materials during work hours.

Shelton Wants Non-OSU Regent

State Rep. Mike Shelton today said the next member of the A&M Board of Regents must not be Oklahoma State University graduate and he called on Governor Brad Henry to name a non-OSU regent to replace Burns Hargis, vice chairman of the Bank of Oklahoma, who has resigned as a regent.

When Henry selects a replacement, he should choose someone representing one of the other colleges in Oklahoma, Shelton said: "The Regents should do what's best for all Oklahoma colleges and universities, but with every member of the board having OSU ties, there is a real problem," said Shelton, D-Oklahoma City. "Many of the decisions approved by the board have blatantly favored OSU to the detriment of other schools. Governor Henry can begin now to reverse this trend by appointing a new Regent who responds to the needs of the other colleges under the A&M umbrella."

The A&M Board of Regents has oversight of Connors State College of Agriculture and Applied Science, Langston University, Northeastern Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, as well as Oklahoma State University. Langston and Panhandle State are the only two four-year colleges on that list, and Shelton said the next member of the A&M Board of Regents should come from one of those schools.

Shelton has already asked for a legal opinion from the attorney general to determine if two individuals serving on the Board of Regents have a conflict of interest. At the time, both Fred Harlan and Jay Helm served on the OSU-Tulsa Board of Trustees and as members of the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges (OSU/A&M), the governing body of OSU-Tulsa. Harlan resigned after Shelton aired his criticism.

"The makeup of the A&M Board of Regents is clearly biased toward promoting Oklahoma State University and its branch campuses, despite the fact that the board is the governing body for several other colleges,including Langston," Shelton said. "Can students or faculty at Langston University or Panhandle State really expect fairness and objectivity in the A&M Regents' decision making? I don't see how that is possible."

All nine members of the A&M Board of Regents are graduates of Oklahoma State University. Because the board members are OSU affiliated, Shelton said the group's decisions have been biased.

"The Regents' vision has largely been the vision of OSU. For the most part, other schools have been ignored," Shelton said. "Langston has been one of only two land-grant colleges in Oklahoma for over 110 years, yet few of its alumni have been named to any major higher education governing board. It's time that Langston or Panhandle State has a representative on the Board of Regents to ensure the group's decisions are good for the whole state, not just one school."

Rasmussen Reports: Clinton, Thompson Tied

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds New York Senator Hillary Clinton (D) tied with former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson (R) in an Election 2008 match-up. Both candidates attract support from 45% of voters.

Given a Clinton-Thompson match-up, 5% of voters say they'd pull the lever for some other candidate and 4% are not sure.

The survey also found Clinton holding a four-point advantage over former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney (R), 46% to 42%. In that match-up, 9% would prefer some other candidate and 3% are not sure.

The survey was conducted June 27-28, 2007, just before the July 4th holiday festivities began to unfold.

Compared to previous Rasmussen surveys of these matchups, conducted early in June, Clinton has lost a net five points against both Thompson and Romney. In May, Clinton led both of these GOP hopefuls by three points.

Clinton has consistently been atop the national polls for the Democratic Presidential nomination. She also leads solidly in New Hampshire, attracting more support from women than all the other candidates combined.

Among those seeking the Republican Presidential nomination, Thompson has recently vaulted to the top of the polls and holds a narrow lead over former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R). Romney is currently in a battle for third place with Arizona Senator John McCain (R) in the national polls, but Romney has a nine-point edge in New Hampshire.

Clinton, a truly national figure since 1992, is far and away the best known of all the Presidential candidates. Just about everybody has an opinion about the former First Lady and those opinions are more strongly felt than for other candidates. Overall, the number of voters with positive and negative feelings has remained roughly equal throughout the year—49% favorable and 48% unfavorable in the latest polling.

The number with a Very Favorable opinion has dipped slightly in recent months, but that's still higher than for any other candidate (though Fred Thompson is currently close at 19%). Thirty percent (30%) have a Very Unfavorable opinion of Clinton. That's more than ten points higher than any other current candidate (Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R) tops Clinton in this category but does not currently seem likely to seek the GOP nomination in 2008).

Tracking Criminal Offenders Now Easier

Keeping track of criminals in Oklahoma County is now easier, as the Victim Information and Notification Everyday system is now online. The automated criminal-tracking system can be programmed to provide alerts by telephone or e-mail to any changes in an offender's status, including transfers or release. People also can call the system to receive information about an offender.

Oklahoma County is the 49th county to implement VINE. Tulsa County has had the system for some time. The system should be operable statewide by May 2008, Attorney General Drew Edmondson's office reports.

The Oklahoma County system was implemented with a $1.2 million federal grant and will cost about $450,000 annually to maintain, according to Edmondson's office. For more information on the VINE system, call (877) 654-8463, or go online to www.vinelink.com.

Celebrating Freedom!

Stipe Faces August 28th Probation Hearing

There's word today that the probation revocation hearing for Gene Stipe has been set for 8:30 a.m. August 28th at the U.S. Courthouse in Muskogee before U. S. District Judge Ronald A. White.

Stipe faces allegations he violated his federal probation by continuing to associate with a convicted felon, business associate Steve Covington.

Stipe could receive a four to 12-month prison sentence if White revokes his probation. Stipe, 80 and in ill health, left the Senate after more than 50 years of legislative service following his federal conviction in 2004 for federal campaign violations and perjury stemming from the failed congressional campaign of Walt Roberts.

Switzer To Endorse Foshee

Jerry Foshee, Republican candidate for the State Senate District 45 seat, apparently has the endorsement of Democrat Barry Switzer. Invitations to a Foshee fundraiser contain the following information:

"You are cordially invited to attend a fundraiser for JERRY FOSHEE: Uniting Oklahoma in 2008 Featuring University of Oklahoma Coach Barry Switzer Also: Members of the OU National Championship Team "When: Thursday, July 12, 6:00 p.m. Where: Willow Creek Golf & Country Club Cost: $250 per person Hors d'oeuvres and drinks provided Please RSVP 405-632-6668

"Coach Switzer and distinguished Republican and Democratic speakers will discuss Jerry Foshee's leadership, experience and ability to build a strong future for Oklahoma."

Foshee and GOP political consultant Kyle Loveless in the race thus far.

Hargis To Seek OSU Presidency?

Oklahoma City banker and "Flash Point" co-host Burns Hargis appears to be positioning himself to seek the presidency of Oklahoma State University.

An OSU regent, Hargis announced his resignation Monday, apparently so he could consider seeking the OSU presidency.

Hargis, vice chairman of the Bank of Oklahoma, wrote in a letter to Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents Chair Lou Watkins that the OSU presidency is "the only position that would ever lead me to give careful thought to leaving my position at this outstanding financial institution."

In the letter, Hargis didn't say he will apply, but the language appears to make his intentions clear. The OSU presidential search committee is accepting applications until August 17 and plans to name a president late in the fall semester.

Search committee chairman Doug Burns said in April the board did not have anyone in mind for the presidency.

Hargis he could not ethically remain on the board, which will name the new president, and consider running for the job. He graduated from OSU in 1967 and was a Republican candidate for governor in 1990.

He is a former president of the Oklahoma County Bar Association, former president of the Oklahoma Bar Foundation, and is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He is a charter Master and past President of the Bohanon American Inn of Court. Hargis practiced law in Oklahoma City for 28 years, most recently with the firm McAfee & Taft. He is included in the publications, “Who’s Who in American Law” and “The Best Lawyers in America.” Hargis served as vice-chairman of the Oklahoma State Election Board, the Oklahoma Constitutional Revision Commission, and served as Chairman of the Oklahoma Commission for Human Services. He is a former member of the Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Hargis presently serves on the Boards of Bank of Oklahoma, N.A., Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce – Chairman (2003, 2004), State Fair of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Lawyers for Children, and several other philanthropic organizations.

Henry Tours State's Flooded Areas

Governor Brad Henry today is touring some areas where recent flooding has occurred. Henry departed Oklahoma City at 9:30 a.m. aboard an Oklahoma National Guard Blackhawk helicopter to see flood damage in Washington and Ottawa Counties in the northeastern section of the state. Weather conditions will dictate if and where the helicopter will land for Henry to visit with impacted residents. After surveying Northeastern Oklahoma, Henry will visit the Shawnee-Tecumseh area, particularly the Brookridge Housing Addition just north of Shawnee.

Oklahoma Flooding; State Assists Victims

New rainfall records continue, the result being flooding in parts of the state. Governor Brad Henry said today that the state is working to assist residents affected by the recent floods and that damage assessments are continuing in impacted areas. He indicated that the damage assessments will help determine the extent of the state’s request for federal assistance.

“All the resources at our state’s disposal, including the Department of Emergency Management, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the National Guard and various relief organizations, are working together and with local first-responders to help protect the lives and property of Oklahomans,” Henry said. “Thousands of Oklahomans have been displaced, and many have experienced devastating property damage. We are conducting assessments in the affected areas as part of our request for federal assistance. We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that the needs of impacted Oklahomans are met.”

Damage assessments began today in areas of Pottawatomie County hit hard by flooding last week, with more surveying slated for Tuesday in Comanche County. In Northeast Oklahoma, particularly Bartlesville and Miami, state and local emergency workers are coordinating expected evacuations of flooded areas. Situations in other areas around the state are being closely monitored. Henry said emergency management officials are also determining what steps are needed to help localities with infrastructure damage.

Image courtesy Tulsa World

Gun-Carrying Citizens Deter Crime

From The Tulsa World ~ If the number of concealed-handgun license holders is any indication, robbers may have to worry about getting more than stolen goods during a heist.

With an increasing number of state residents legally packing heat, more robbers may be taking away some hot lead.

More than 54,000 Oklahomans are licensed to carry concealed handguns under the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, said Jessica Brown, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. That number is up from around 31,000 in 2000 and 15,081 in 1996, after the first year of licensing. Once approved, applicants are licensed to carry concealed weapons for five years. After five years, they are required to renew their application.

In the beginning, some people thought a wave of shootings by license holders would occur, but those fears have proved to be unfounded, Brown said. "There's very little of that, quite frankly," she said. "Most people don't want to hurt each other."

Former state Sen. Frank Shurden, who sponsored the bill that led to the law, said he had tried to get the bill through the Legislature for several years but that fears of more shootings and of a more dangerous work environment for law enforcement officers held it back.

Image courtesy Tulsa World