IT'S OFFICIAL: FALLIN SEEKS TOP SPOT

Congresswoman Mary Fallin made it official this morning: She will seek the Republican nomination for governor next year.

She made her public announcement about 9:45 a.m. at the Oklahoma County Republican Convention being held at Christian Heritage Academy in Del City.

Fallin's Decision Stirs Candidate Speculation

The race to succeed Congresswoman Mary Fallin in the 5th District will be a contested one, likely to draw a huge field of Republican candidates.

With word on Friday that Fallin has all but publicly declared her intention to run for governor, the talk about contenders has erupted.

Known to be considering the race are Republicans Kevin Calvey, former House member who sought the nomination in the 2006 primary; Mick Cornett, mayor of Oklahoma City who lost the 2006 GOP runoff to Fallin; Dr. Johnny Roy, who ran last in the 2006 GOP primary; and Mike Thompson, Oklahoma City House member, a Realtor who was an assistant to former Congressman Ernest Istook.

Among Democrats, speculation focuses on State Senator Andrew Rice, defeated decisively in his 2008 U. S. Senate race against incumbent Jim Inhofe. Some say ousted Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth may also consider the race; Roth lost his seat to Republican Dana Murphy last year. Despite his declared gay lifestyle, Roth won election to the Oklahoma County Commission before being appointed to the Corporation Commission by Governor Henry.

Fallin declared her intention to run for governor in a conference call with supporters.

Fallin Prepares To Announce Governor's Race

Supporters of Congresswoman Mary Fallin report that in a call to some of them today, she announced her intention to seek the Republican nomination for governor next year.

The former lieutenant governor and State House member has moved into leadership positions in the U. S. House since her election in 2006.

Fallin was the first Republican and first woman to serve as lieutenant governor of Oklahoma. She served in that post from 1995 to 2007. She resigned her office on January 2, 2007 in order to be sworn in to Congress on January 4, 2007.

Lt. Governor Jari Askins, the Democrat who followed Fallin into that office, has announced she is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor. Attorney General Drew Edmondson is considered a likely candidate as well.

Fallin's decision will set off a stampede among those who'd like to succeed her in the 5th District. Among Republicans known to have interest is Mayor Mick Cornett, defeated by Fallin in the GOP runoff in 2006, and former State Rep. Kevin Calvey of Del City, who also sought the nomination in 2006.

Among Democrats, there is speculation that State Senator Andrew Rice, defeated soundly by Senator Jim Inhofe in last year's U. S. Senate race, might seek the Democratic nomination for Congress.

Former Senator Wayne Holden Dead At 90

Wayne Holden of Duncan, former state senator and mayor of Duncan, died early today at age 90.

Services are pending at Grantham Funeral Home in Duncan.

Pledge Requirement Bill Advances In House

Oklahoma public school students will be required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance each day under legislation by Rep. Lewis Moore.

House Bill 2189 requires the Pledge of Allegiance to be recited in a classroom each school day. Students now are authorized to recite the Pledge.

“I feel strongly about this bill and how it will strengthen our culture and country’s traditions by honoring the importance of the U.S. flag and our nation,” said Moore, R-Arcadia. “It’s an oath of loyalty and respect to this country.”

The bill also asks that instruction in the history and etiquette relating to the U.S. Flag be given in each grade annually.

"It is appropriate to honor our country's flag and know how to show respect for our symbol of sacrifice and freedom,” said Moore.

House Bill 2189 passed the House Common Education Committee this week and now proceeds to the House floor.

Boren, Task Force Oppose 'Assault Weapon' Ban

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Dan Boren, (OK-2) and U.S. Congressman Paul Broun, (GA-10), Co-Chairs of the Second Amendment Task Force (SATF) in the U.S. House of Representatives, released the following statements regarding Attorney General Eric Holder’s recent comments on the possibility of the Obama Administration seeking to reinstate a ban on sales of assault weapons.

Congressman Boren: “The Second Amendment Task Force is adamantly opposed to reinstating the ban on the sale of assault weapons as it clearly would demonstrate a violation of United States citizens’ right to keep and bear arms. The Constitution absolutely does not outline any provision to restrict ownership of a gun belonging to a specific category. I will diligently work with my colleagues on the Second Amendment Task Force to defeat any form of legislation in Congress that poses a threat to the Second Amendment.”

Congressman Paul Broun: “The Attorney General’s recent comments about reinstating the ‘assault weapons’ ban are extremely troubling since a ban clearly violates our Constitutional right to bear arms. The Second Amendment Task Force opposes the discussed ban and will fight any attempts that infringe on our Second Amendment rights.”

The Second Amendment Task Force was created in the 111th Congress to monitor legislation regarding the Second Amendment in the U.S. House of Representatives. It acts as a unified and proactive force to promote legislation that protects the Second Amendment and to fight legislation that poses a threat to citizens’ Constitutional right to keep and bear arms.

Boren is a member of the board of directors of the National Rifle Association.

Brogdon's Mandates Measure Draws Attention

Legislation by Sen. Randy Brogdon calling for the end of federal mandates and programs that usurp states’ rights is gaining national attention.

The Owasso Republican said Senate Joint Resolution 10 has struck a chord, not only with Oklahomans, but with people from around the country. The Washington Post, Washington Times, the Boston Globe and Reuters are among the many news organizations that have interviewed Brogdon about SJR 10. Brogdon said Congress has overstepped its powers as outlined in the U.S. Constitution and eroded the sovereignty of individual states.

“The 10th amendment clearly spells out what powers are reserved for the federal government, like coining money, maintaining a navy, and other functions which clearly should be on a national level,” Brogdon said. “But for decades, Congress has forced federal legislation and unfunded mandates on the states in direct violation of the U.S. Constitution. Congress is supposed to serve the states. Instead, they’re telling the states how to conduct their internal business.”

Brogdon said the federal homeland security requirements, the Patriot Act and the No Child Left Behind legislation are all examples of unconstitutional mandates. He said many states feel pressured or coerced to submit to these programs because of the promise of some federal funds, or the threat of withholding funds from the states.

Mike Christian, Wife Hurt In Car Accident

UPDATE: Rep. Christian and his wife were released from the hospital this afternoon after extensive tests showed no broken bones, friends report.

Rep. Mike Christian and his wife, Veda, are hospitalized after a hit and run accident in south Oklahoma City this morning.

Their conditions are unknown, but an ambulance transport to OU Medical Center did take place from the scene of the accident. Friends report Christian is undergoing an MRI because of a suspected neck injury.

Christian, R-Oklahoma City, is a retired Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper who was seriously injured in a traffic accident while on duty.

Police located the hit and run vehicle and at last report, are searching for the driver.

Boren Leads New Congressional Gun Rights Group

From The Tulsa World/Washington Bureau ~ U.S. Rep. Dan Boren, a board member of the National Rifle Association, announced Wednesday that he will be co-chairman of a new task force on gun rights.

"I am afraid we could witness a significant tilt to the left on gun issues in the current climate in Washington, and that has me greatly concerned," the Oklahoma Democrat said.

"I believe members of the Second Amendment Task Force will serve a critical role in preventing overreaching by those who would seek to enact anti-gun policies."

Rep. Paul Broun of Georgia will be the group's Republican co-chairman.

Boren said the task force will be charged with monitoring legislation regarding the Second Amendment during the 111th Congress.

He said the group will act as a unified and proactive force to promote legislation that protects the Second Amendment and to fight legislation that poses a threat to citizens' constitutional right to keep and bear arms.

"As a member of the National Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association and co-chair of the Congressional Sportsmen Caucus, I am proud to co-chair this task force with Congressman Broun and to take a leadership role on these important issues on behalf of my fellow Oklahoma gun-owners," Boren said.

He said other members of the task force were chosen after a thorough review was conducted of their voting records on Second Amendment issues and working closely with groups such as the NRA and Gun Owners of America.

Boren described the carefully selected group of lawmakers as "true believers" in the constitutional right for Americans to bear arms.

Other Democrats who were chosen for the group are Reps. Jason Altmire of Pennsylvania, Travis Childers of Mississippi, Brad Ellsworth of Indiana, Jim Matheson of Utah and Mike McIntyre of North Carolina.

Other Republicans chosen for the group are Reps. Rob Bishop of Utah, John Boozman of Arkansas, Steve King of Iowa and Steve Scalise of Louisiana.

Obama, Holder Begin Gun Control Push

From ABC News ~ The Obama administration will seek to reinstate the assault weapons ban that expired in 2004 during the Bush administration, Attorney General Eric Holder said today.

"As President Obama indicated during the campaign, there are just a few gun-related changes that we would like to make, and among them would be to reinstitute the ban on the sale of assault weapons," Holder told reporters.

Holder said that putting the ban back in place would not only be a positive move by the United States, it would help cut down on the flow of guns going across the border into Mexico, which is struggling with heavy violence among drug cartels along the border.

[Despite the emphasis on "assault weapons" as instruments of destruction, FBI data does not support the contention they are used regularly to commit crimes. Furthermore, the definition of "assault weapons" as used by Holder et al includes semi-automatic hunting rifles.]

Medical Examiner Appointment Bill Advances

Legislation making the state Chief Medical Examiner a gubernatorial appointee unanimously passed a House Committee tonight.

The change is needed in light of numerous recent issues with the state Medical Examiner’s office, said House Speaker Chris Benge, author of House Bill 1965.

House and Senate leaders have expressed concerns for over a year regarding the management and operations of the office.

Additionally, recent allegations of sexual harassment charges inside the office led OSBI to open an investigation into the matter at the urging of Benge and Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee.

“The public must be able to have confidence in this office,” said Benge, R-Tulsa. “We believe having a medical examiner that reports directly to the governor instead of a bureaucratic board will improve accountability and allow for quick changes as needed in the future.”

The legislation keeps the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner independent from other agencies to avoid any conflicts of interest and to preserve the office’s autonomy. The CME would report directly to the governor and the Board of Medicolegal Investigations will be eliminated.

The governor would also appoint a newly created Chief Administrative Officer position, whose responsibilities will include handling the day-to-day management of the administrative functions of the agency.

The Chief Administrative Officer would be charged to adopt written professional qualification requirements for each staff position related to the investigation of deaths and to require background checks be performed for all prospective hires for the office. The professional qualifications are to apply to all forensic pathologists, chemists, investigators and the position of Chief Investigator.

The legislation would also prohibit all CME employees from receiving any type of compensation from any service or organization whose business pertains to organ, eye or tissue recovery.

The CME office would also be relocated to Edmond if the bill becomes law, where it will be in close proximity with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Forensic Science Institute. The examiner’s office would have their own state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment but would additionally be able to utilize the facilities and administrative functions currently offered by the OSBI and UCO.

Finally, the bill will require the CME to obtain approval by the Legislature before closing a satellite office.

The bill passed the House Appropriations and Budget Committee unanimously and will now move to the House for consideration.

Statewide Term Limits Moves To House Floor

Most statewide office holders would be limited to a maximum of eight years in office if legislation passed by a House committee today becomes law. The measure now advances to the House floor.

The change would have to be approved by a vote of the people if passed by the Legislature.

Currently, state lawmakers are limited to 12 years in office, and the governor is restricted to serving two consecutive, four year terms.

Joint Resolution 1022, by Rep. Jason Murphey, would instead limit the governor to serve no more than eight cumulative years in office.

That same eight total years rule would also apply to the lieutenant governor, auditor and inspector, attorney general, treasurer, commissioner of labor, superintendent of public Iinstruction and insurance commissioner, all of whom serve 4-year terms.

The resolution also would limit anyone from serving on the Corporation Commission for more than 12 years.

Free Radio Coalition To Fight 'Fairness Doctrine'

A group of radio insiders has formed the Free Radio Coalition to fight the reinstatement of the so-called "Fairness Doctrine," Radio America President James Roberts says.

Radio America talk show host and former San Diego Mayor Roger Hedgecock will chair the coalition.

“The reinstatement of the misnamed Fairness Doctrine would constitute a massive assault on our cherished First Amendment rights and should be of concern to all Americans, regardless of their political or religious persuasion,” Hedgecock said.

Group members want to hold a conference of talk show hosts and religious broadcasters in Washington to plan strategy, the Washington Times reported.

They also plan to prepare expert testimony in case the Federal Communications Commission or congressional committees hold hearings on the Doctrine.

A Barack Obama spokesman recently said the president opposes reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine. But a number of Democratic senators, including Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, Tom Harkin of Iowa, Charles Schumer of New York and Dick Durbin of Illinois have expressed support for such a move.

Originally instituted in 1949 by the FCC, the Fairness Doctrine required broadcasters using the public airwaves to give equal time to opposing political views. The FCC repealed the measure in 1987 shortly before political talker Rush Limbaugh revolutionized the art, burst onto the national scene, revitalized conservatives and injected life into the-then-faltering AM radio band.

Since talk radio mpw is overwhelmingly dominated by conservative hosts, and liberal talk radio draws few listeners, the “equal time” provision would likely force many radio stations to pull popular conservative hosts from the air rather than air low-rated liberal hosts.

Rep. Mike Pence, an Indiana Republican who has guest-hosted on Laura Ingraham’s conservative radio talk show, is seeking to bar the FCC from using taxpayer funds to enforce the Doctrine.

He has drafted an amendment to the $410 billion omnibus spending bill that would block the FCC from resuming the policy, The Hill newspaper reported.

“Bringing back the Fairness Doctrine today would amount to government control over political views expressed on the public airwaves,” said Pence, chairman of the House Republican Conference.

“The American people cherish freedom, especially freedom of speech and of the press.” In 2007, the House voted overwhelmingly to prevent the FCC from enforcing the Doctrine with taxpayer funds.

But Pence is concerned that on March 6, when the stopgap measure funding the government expires, Democrats could seek to put the policy back in place.

“While a permanent ban is ideal, in the short term the Pence amendment would reassure freedom-loving Americans that the national asset of talk radio would remain free from censorship for the next year,” Pence said in a statement.

Last week Newsmax reported that Sen. Jim DeMint announced that he would force a vote on a bill preventing the FCC from reinstating the Doctrine.

The South Carolina Republican said the bill, the Broadcaster Freedom Act, would be offered as an amendment to the D.C. Voting Rights bill.

Henry: FEMA Approves Public Assistance

Governor Henry announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved his request for public assistance for three Oklahoma counties hit hard by this month’s severe storms and tornadoes.

Additionally, federal officials granted the governor’s request for another six counties to receive public assistance in the wake of the January ice storm.

The designation delivers federal funding to assist municipalities, counties and rural electric cooperatives with infrastructure repairs, debris removal and costs associated with responding to the storms.

Carter, Coal and Love counties are approved for public assistance for the February 10 severe storms and tornadoes. Those same storms already resulted in individual assistance being approved Feb. 15 for Carter, Logan and Oklahoma counties.

Comanche, Haskell, McIntosh, Muskogee, Okfuskee and Sequoyah counties are approved for public assistance for the Jan. 26 ice storm. Those counties join four others -- Adair, Cherokee, Delaware and Hughes -- already approved for public assistance.

Brett Hamm Services Set For Saturday

Services for Oklahoma City civic leader Brett Hamm will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Crossings Community Church, 14600 N. Portland.

Hamm, 41, died on Saturday. The Journal Record reported that a spokesman for the Oklahoma City Police Department said the death was a suicide.

Hamm was a former assistant to U. S. Senator Don Nickles and to Oklahoma City Mayors Mick Cornett and Kirk Humphreys. More recently, he had headed a downtown Oklahoma City booster group.

Viewing will take place from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Smith and Kernke Funeral Home, 14624 N. May Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, donations to help the family's three children can be sent to Hamm Children’s Fund, c/o Maralee Hamm, MidFirst Bank, NW 164 and May Avenue, Edmond Oklahoma, 73013.

Legislators Defend OSU Vet School

Recent attacks on Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine are inaccurate and misleading, a group of state legislators said today.

Reps. Brian Renegar, Lee Denney and Phil Richardson – each a graduate of OSU with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree – defended the school, noting the program is nationally recognized as one of the best in the country.

“As a proud graduate of OSU’s vet school, I can say the recent claims about the school’s teaching methods are unfounded and colored by the perceptions of individuals promoting a radical animal-rights agenda instead of sound teaching methods for veterinarian training,” said Renegar, D-McAlester.

Madeleine Pickens, the wife of oilman T. Boone Pickens, recently criticized OSU’s vet school, saying the college uses “barbaric” teaching practices that border on animal cruelty.

Pickens is a well-known animal rights activist.

“Our training is designed to prevent animal suffering, not create it,” said Denney, a Cushing Republican who has authored legislation to outlaw puppy mills in Oklahoma. “No one can spend years training to become a veterinarian without caring about animals.”

“I don’t doubt Mrs. Pickens’ intentions, but the information she was provided is inaccurate,” said Richardson, R-Minco. “As a result, the picture she paints of the College of Veterinary Medicine is grossly distorted and misleading.”

The three lawmakers noted that live animal surgery is a necessary component of the learning process for veterinarians comparable to the training of medical doctors.

Brett Hamm Dead At Age 41

Brett Hamm, a former assistant to Senator Don Nickles and Oklahoma City Mayors Kirk Humphreys and Mick Cornett, has died at age 41.

Hamm was president of Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc. until last September, when he resigned. Previously, he served as a regional director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Services are pending.

IT Services Bill Moves To House Floor

Legislation that would consolidate information technology services among state agencies unanimously passed a House committee today and now moves to the House floor for action.

The legislation incorporates the recommendations of recent studies to improve the delivery of information technology services and to maximize the state’s investment in technology.

Confirmed: South Is Nation's Bible Belt

From Grits By Hastings Wyman/Southern Political Report ~ The Gallup Poll has confirmed what we already suspected, that the South is the nation’s Bible Belt.

According to results of a survey of 350,000 interviews, published in the Washington Post, when asked if religion is an important part of their daily lives, the top eleven states were all in the South.

The two Dixie stragglers -- both with lots of Yankees -- were Virginia and Florida, which ranked 16th and 23rd, respectively.

What’s more, although the South’s blacks and whites disagree on politics, they have one big thing in common: Both races in Dixie are very religious.

Here are the Southern states in order of religiosity, followed by the percentage who said religion is important in their daily lives: MS (85%); AL (82%); SC (80%); TN (79%); LA (78%); AR (78%); GA (76%); NC (76%); OK (75%); KY (74%); TX (74%); VA (68%); and FL (65%). Florida, the least religious state in Dixie, still equaled the national average of 65%.

Coffee Talk By Senator Glenn Coffee

When I was first elected to office, I served with fellow Republican Senator Brooks Douglass. While I always had an interest in supporting legislation to protect the public and assist those whose lives had been impacted by crime, Brooks had a perspective shared by no one else in the legislature. His parents had been the victims of cold-blooded murder and in that same attack, he and his sister had also been left for dead.

During his time in the Legislature, Senator Douglass worked tirelessly with our caucus and with Senators from across the aisle to promote legislation that better protected the rights of victims.

Senate Republicans have a long-standing tradition of passing landmark laws to protect the rights of law-abiding citizens, as well as the rights of crime victims. Former Republican State Senator Charles Ford passed a law giving civil protection to people defending themselves in their own home, and years later, Senator Harry Coates expanded on that legislation to give additional protection to those who must use force to protect themselves or their family members.

We also passed legislation to ensure photos of the victims, other than crime scene photos, could be allowed in a courtroom. I also authored legislation to ensure victims of crime, or their friends and family members, would not be subjected to cross-examination if they chose to deliver a victims impact statement during the sentencing phase of a trial. After a death penalty was overturned in part because the Court of Criminal Appeals criticized the victim’s widow for talking about her faith in God, Senator Jonathan Nichols passed legislation to ensure the right to testify about one’s faith in such criminal proceedings.

This past week, I won committee approval for a piece of legislation to help victims of sexual assault.

Law enforcement tells us one in ten woman become victims of this terrible crime, but many never even file charges, fearing the additional trauma of police interviews and court proceedings. Many women do not seek medical attention for those same reasons.

My legislation would enable rape victims to seek medical attention without undergoing police interviews while they’re being treated.

Evidence would still be collected at the time of the exam, but they would be able to wait until later to meet with police. This bill would give victims some emotional space, and may very well result in more women filing charges, and hopefully, putting more of these criminals behind bars before they can claim additional victims.

We do have a constitutional mandate to ensure the presumption of innocence, and ensure the accused as the right to representation and a fair trail. But it is just as important that we do everything in our power to ensure the system doesn’t result in unnecessary additional suffering and trauma for the victims of violent crime.

The Gadfly Has Seen Everything Now

News Item: A Senate panel on Thursday passed a measure to prohibit the tattooing of eyeballs.

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee approved Senate Bill 844 by Sen. Cliff Branan, R-Oklahoma City. The measure would ban tattooing of the white part of the eye.

Scott Guess, an ophthalmologist with the Dean McGee Eye Institute in Oklahoma City, said the practice has not made its way to Oklahoma but has been seen on the East and West coasts.

"I can't understand why people would want to do it," Guess said.

Democrats Face 'Culture Of Corruption' Issue

WASHINGTON (AP) ~ The Obama administration and the new Congress are quickly handing over to Republicans the same "culture of corruption" issue that Democrats used so effectively against the GOP before coming to power.

Freshman Sen. Roland Burris (pictured), D-Ill., is only the latest embarrassment.

Senate Democrats accepted Burris because they believed what he told them: He was clean. Burris now admits he tried to raise money for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who authorities say sought to sell President Barack Obama's former Senate seat.

"The story seems to be changing day by day," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Wednesday.

The political mess for the Democratic Party, however, isn't Burris' conduct alone; it's the pattern that has developed so quickly over the past few months.

The chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., is the subject of a House ethics investigation. It's partly focused on his fundraising practices for a college center in his name, his ownership financing of a resort property in the Dominican Republic and his financial disclosure reports.

Federal agents raided two Pennsylvania defense contractors that were provided millions of dollars in federal funding by Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., chairman of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee.

Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 on federal charges, including allegations he schemed to sell the Senate seat to the highest bidder.

Tom Daschle, the former Senate majority leader from South Dakota, abandoned his bid to become health and human services secretary and the administration's point man on reforming health care; and Nancy Killefer stepped down from a newly created position charged with eliminating inefficient government programs. Both Daschle and Killefer had tax problems, and Daschle also faced potential conflicts of interest related to working with health care interests.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner was confirmed after revealing he had tax troubles.

Obama's initial choice for commerce secretary, Bill Richardson, stepped aside due to a grand jury investigation into a state contract awarded to his political donors.

While the Senate voted overwhelmingly to confirm William Lynn as deputy defense secretary, Obama had to waive his ethics regulations to place the former defense lobbyist in charge of day-to-day operations at the Pentagon.

The No. 2 Senate Democrat, Richard Durbin of Illinois, expressed his anger about the Burris case Wednesday while he was on an official visit to Greece.

"I do believe that the public statements made by Mr. Burris to this point have raised questions ... as to the nature of his relationship with the former governor and the circumstances surrounding his appointment," Durbin said.

Reid said in Nevada, "Now there's some question as to whether or not he told the truth."

Coffee Names McKinney To Ethics Commission

Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee announced Thursday that he is appointing Bob McKinney of Claremore as a new member of the Ethics Commission.

McKinney and his wife Marguerite have been married for 21 years and have three sons. He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a degree in Finance.

McKinney has served as Senior Executive Vice President at RCB Bank in Claremore since 2002, with over 41 years of banking experience.

McKinney is a community leader in Claremore, including Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Claremore Regional Hospital.

Ellis Praises Appeals Court Gun Decision

Senator Jerry Ellis said today that Wednesday’s ruling by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is a major victory for 2nd Amendment rights and the rights of Oklahomans.

The federal panel’s ruling upheld state law that allowed workers to have legal firearms in their locked vehicles. Ellis, D-Valliant, filed the original legislation when he was a freshman member of the House of Representatives.

“Having a gun for hunting or for protection is simply a way of life for most people in rural Oklahoma. When a major employer in my district started firing people for having their firearms in their vehicles, I was outraged,” Ellis said. “I was elected to the Legislature soon after this happened, and I knew I had to do whatever I could to stop this assault on our second amendment rights.”

Shortly before Ellis’ legislation was set to become law, it was challenged by various corporations who had argued against the statute claiming it was a workplace safety issue. A lower court had ruled that safety rules established by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act trumped state laws, but the 10th Circuit Court disagreed.

“I see this as a major victory for Oklahoma citizens. We’ve succeeded in protecting their second amendment rights, and this has also been a victory for states rights as well,” Ellis said. “When all is said and done, I believe this will have been one of the most important measures I will have passed in my legislative career.”

Obama Opposes Return Of Fairness Doctrine

President Barack Obama is against any move to bring back the so-called Fairness Doctrine, a White House spokesman told Fox News.com.

"As the president stated during the campaign, he does not believe the Fairness Doctrine should be reinstated," White House spokesman Ben LaBolt said.

The statement comes after recent comments by former President Bill Clinton and other leading Democrats that suggested a move to bring back the doctrine -- a long-abolished policy that would require broadcasters to provide opposing viewpoints on controversial issues.

Conservatives see the doctrine, called the "Hush Rush" doctrine by some, as an attempt to impose liberal viewpoints on their shows and largely oppose any move to bring it back.

It is the first definitive stance the administration has taken since an aide told an industry publication last summer that Obama opposes the doctrine. In recent days, both senior adviser David Axelrod and White House press secretary Robert Gibbs left open the possibility that Obama would support the doctrine.

OKC PD On Hot Seat Over Confiscated Obama Sign

An Oklahoma City police officer wrongly pulled over a man last week and confiscated an anti-President Barack Obama sign the man had on his vehicle, it's reported today.

Captain Steve McCool says an officer who wrongly pulled a man over last week and confiscated an anti-Barack Obama sign from his vehicle misinterpreted the sign as threatening. It read "Abort Obama, not the unborn."

Chip Harrison said he was driving to work when a police car followed him for several miles and then signaled for him to pull over.

''I pulled over, knowing I hadn't done anything wrong," Harrison said in a recent phone interview.

When the officer asked Harrison if he knew why he had been pulled over, Harrison said he did not.

''They said, 'It's because of the sign in your window,'" Harrison said.

''It's not meant to be a threat, it's a statement about abortion," Harrison said. He said he disagrees with the president's position on abortion.

''I asked the officer, 'Do you know what abort means?'" Harrison said. "He said, 'Yeah, it means to kill.' I said, 'No, it means to remove or terminate.'"

Harrison said his sign was to be interpreted as saying something like: Remove Obama from office, not unborn babies from the womb.

The officers confiscated Harrison's sign and gave him a slip of paper that stated he was part of an investigation.

Harrison said he later received a call from a person who said he was a lieutenant supervisor for the Internal Investigations Department and wanted to know his location so he could return his sign to him.

According to Harrison, the supervisor said the Secret Service had been contacted on the matter and had told them the sign was not a threat to the president.

Harrison was asked if he would like to file a complaint. He said he was not sure but would take the paperwork, just in case.

But his run-in with the law wasn't over yet.

''The Secret Service called and said they were at my house," Harrison said. After talking to his attorney, Harrison went home where he met the Secret Service.

''When I was on my way there, the Secret Service called me and said they weren't going to ransack my house or anything ... they just wanted to (walk through the house) and make sure I wasn't a part of any hate groups."

Harrison said he invited the Secret Service agents into the house and they were "very cordial."

''We walked through the house and my wife and 2-year-old were in the house," Harrison said.

He said they interviewed him for about 30 minutes and then left, not finding any evidence Harrison was a threat to the president.

Comp Court Appointees Measure Advances

A resolution calling for a vote of the people to determine if gubernatorial Workers’ Compensation Court appointments should require Senate confirmation passed a House Committee today.

The change called for in House Joint Resolution 1041 would add more accountability to the workers’ comp system, said Rep. Dan Sullivan, author of House Joint Resolution 1041.

House Resolution Opposes Obama Move

A resolution opposing a move by President Barack Obama to classify abortion as a fundamental right in the same category as the right of free speech and the right to vote passed a House committee today.

Obama has stated support for the federal “Freedom of Choice Act,” which if passed would invalidate all state laws that interfere with abortion.

House Joint Resolution 1009 urges the U.S. Congress to oppose the law, citing the states’ right to regulate abortion in an effort to protect women’s health.

Driver's Test Only In English Under House Measures

Lawmakers on House committees voted today to require that driver’s license tests be provided only in English and to also make English the official language of Oklahoma government.

“As our common American language, English and the ‘melting pot’ process it supports has made the United States the most successful multi-ethnic nation in history,” said Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore. “Unfortunately, the recent drive to linguistically Balkanize our nation makes it harder for legal immigrants to assimilate while also creating potential hazards for other Oklahomans."

House Bill 2252, by Terrill, eliminates the current requirement for the Department of Public Safety to provide driver’s license tests in Spanish.

Terrill noted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s regulations require drivers engaged in interstate commerce to “read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries and to make entries on reports and records.”

Action now moves to the House floor.

Appeals Court Says Guns In Vehicles OK

Oklahoma’s law requiring employers to allow workers to have guns in their locked vehicles at work is valid, an appeals court in Denver ruled today.

The ruling overturns a court order by a Tulsa judge in 2007.

A panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decided 3-0 that U.S. District Judge Terrence Kern erred in concluding that the law is pre-empted by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act.

The judges said Kern’s ruling “interferes with Oklahoma’s police powers and essentially promulgates a court-made safety standard — a standard which OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has explicitly refrained from implementing on its own. Such action is beyond the province of federal courts.”

The law sparked a national dispute over gun rights, pitting some employers and gun-control advocates against workers and the National Rifle Association.

“We’re pleased with the court’s decision,” Charlie Price, a spokesman for Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, told the Tulsa World. “It was our opinion that the law is constitutional, and the court agreed with us today.”

The law was passed in two stages in 2004 and 2005 by legislators who angered by the Weyerhauser Corp. firing eight workers at a timber mill in southeastern Oklahoma because they had guns in their vehicles at the mill in violation of company policy.

Over the years, a changing lineup of employers, including the Whirlpool Corp., which later dropped out, and more recently ConocoPhillips, challenged the law, starting with a 2004 lawsuit. Kern issued his permanent injunction in response to the challenges.

Goveror Henry and Edmondson, the defendants in the lawsuit, appealed Kern’s ruling.

ConocoPhillips spokesman Rich Johnson said Wednesday that “the safety of our employees is a top priority of ConocoPhillips, and we are disappointed with today’s decision.” He said the company has not had time to determine what its next step will be.

In an unusual step, Edmondson had an attorney for the National Rifle Association, instead of one of his own lawyers, argue the case before the appeals court in November. The court had allowed the NRA to submit arguments as a “friend of the court.”

Corn Plans To Ban Agency Lobbyists

Senator Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau, today won approval for a proposal to ban state agencies from hiring lobbyists.

Corn’s proposal was an amendment to Senate Bill 454 by Senator Anthony Sykes, R-Newcastle, to prohibit the use of state funds for lobbying. The measure, as amended, was approved by the full Senate Appropriations Committee.

“I want to commend Senator Sykes for filing his bill, and for allowing my amendment to be included. Public funds are supposed to be used by state agencies to provide specific services and programs—not to hire lobbyists,” Corn said.

Bill Shifts Race Riot Artifacts To Tulsa Control

Legislation approved by the State House today would give Tulsa control of all historical artifacts relating to the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921.

House Bill 1077, by state Rep. Lucky Lamons, shifts control of the artifacts to the City of Tulsa for use with the John Hope Franklin Greenwood Reconciliation Memorial and Museum.

The state of Oklahoma currently has control of those artifacts.

“It just makes sense to transfer ownership of the property to the City of Tulsa because it increases the city’s ability to determine how the memorial will be designed, operated and funded,” said Lamons, D-Tulsa. “The museum will be in the middle of Tulsa’s entertainment district so it doesn’t make much sense to have it run out of Oklahoma City.”

Officials are currently developing plans for a proposed John Hope Franklin Greenwood Reconciliation Memorial and Museum in Tulsa that would commemorate the riot, which destroyed much of the all-black Greenwood district (which lies in Lamons’s district). The riot reportedly killed dozens and left thousands homeless.

House Bill 1077 passed out of the Oklahoma House of Representatives on a 100-0 vote today. It now proceeds to the Senate.

Nichols Seeks DNA Database Expansion

Expanding the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation’s (OSBI) DNA database could help solve some of the most horrific crimes committed according to Senator Jonathan Nichols, author of Senate Bill 1102.

The measure would add a number of misdemeanor crimes to the felony crimes already on the books which can result in the harvesting of DNA samples. The measure was approved by the full Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday.

“We’re talking about people who have been charged and convicted of misdemeanor criminal acts like peeping toms,” said Nichols, R-Norman. “We know for a fact that cold cases are often solved through DNA, and the perpetrator’s DNA may be in the system because of an entirely unrelated crime.”

Nichols, a former prosecutor, reminded the committee that was exactly how the 1996 murder of University of Oklahoma ballet student Julie Buskin was ultimately solved. “This gives us an even greater opportunity to capture and punish individuals responsible for some of the most heinous crimes imaginable.”

Nichols stressed that unlike other proposed legislation requiring DNA collection upon arrest, under SB 1102, only those convicted would be required to submit a DNA sample. His measure would include those convicted of misdemeanor crimes such as outraging public decency; resisting arrest; escape or attempting to escape; eluding a police officer; peeping tom; pointing a firearm; unlawfully carrying or discharging of a weapon; illegal transporting; negligent homicide; causing a personal accident while driving under the influence; unlawful discharge of a weapon; destruction of property or threatening an act of violence.

“Those convicted of such crimes will have already submitted to fingerprinting, this simply adds the collection of a DNA sample,” Nichols said. “This in no way intrudes on the lives of law-abiding citizens, and it will help us do a better job of protecting innocent Oklahomans.”

Ryan Leonard Seeks GOP AG Nomination

Oklahoma City attorney Ryan Leonard, former legislative assistant to former U. S. Senator Don Nickles, says he will be a candidate for attorney general next year.

"My top priority will be to keep Oklahoma families safe," said Leonard, a Republican. "Oklahoma needs an effective advocate who will work tirelessly to fight illegal drug use, keep our children safe from Internet predators and stand up for victims of crime."

He said he also wants to focus on consumer fraud, identity theft and financial scams.

A native of Beaver, Leonard was a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Oklahoma and has served on the boards of the Oklahoma City National Memorial, the Central Oklahoma Red Cross and the Oklahoma Academy of State Goals.

Leonard is a past president and co-founder of the Downtown Club of Oklahoma City, and a member of Leadership Oklahoma. In 2008, Leonard co-chaired the finance team for Sen. John McCain in Oklahoma, and co-chaired Lawyers for McCain. He is the son of U. S. District Judge Tim Leonard and the son-in-law of former Governor Frank Keating.

Attorney General Drew Edmondson, a Democrat, is expected to run for governor next year.

Angie LaPlante Seeks No. 2 GOP Spot

Veteran Republican activist Angie LaPlante of Edmond will run for vice-chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party as part of a ticket with Chairman Gary Jones, who is seeking reelection.

LaPlante is the current First Vice-President of the Oklahoma Federation of Republican Women (OFRW). She served as President of the Edmond Republican Women's Club (ERW) from 2004-2006. During that time membership increased over 400%. She helped set up and run the Edmond Republican headquarters and their 72-Hour "Elephant Stampede" Program in 2004, where they distributed over 40,000 pieces of campaign literature. Her efforts paid off with every Edmond legislator winning their elections.

White House Approves Ice Storm Assistance

Governor Henry announced today that the White House has approved his request for public assistance for four Oklahoma counties hit hard by January ice storms.

As a result, local governments and rural electric cooperatives in Adair, Cherokee, Delaware and Hughes counties can receive federal funding for infrastructure repairs, debris removal and costs associated with responding to the storm.

Liotta Joins OFRG Board Of Directors

Oklahomans for Responsible Government (OFRG) today announced the addition of Mark Liotta to the organization's Board of Directors. Liotta is a former representative from Tulsa; he's now employed as a Tulsa County highway superintendent.

Benge Promises Stimulus Funds Oversight

Federal stimulus dollars coming to Oklahoma will be treated in the same fiscally prudent manner state tax dollars have been spent in recent years, House Speaker Chris Benge said today.

Benge announced that he is tasking the House Appropriations and Budget Committee to include in its legislative responsibilities conducting oversight of agency spending and transparency in use of federal stimulus dollars coming to Oklahoma.

Senate Rules Committee OKs Term Limits

The Senate Rules Committee has approved Senate Joint Resolution 12 which calls for a constitutional amendment that would limit the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, state auditor and inspector, attorney general, state treasurer, land commissioners and superintendent of education to two four-year terms.

The resolution passed 10-5. The measure now moves to the full Senate for action.

The Gadfly On The Wall

With the Obama Administration now in power, it comes as no surprise that the gun-grabbers are beginning to flex their muscle.

Among the most cockamamie ideas to hit the Capitol is one that would prohibit the owning or selling of a firearm without a license issued by the office of the Attorney General of the United States....and the current attorney general is a gun-grabber who doesn't believe in the 2nd Amendment but who does believe in an unarmed, or disarmed, American citizenry.

Gee...one has to wonder if the goofball behind this idea has been studying how Hitler disarmed Germany's population in the 1930s.

Incorporated into this idea is yet another provision, one that would effectively bring gun control to all but a few American households...it would be illegal to keep a loaded, or unloaded, firearm and ammo anywhere there are children younger than 18.

In this proposal, we see again efforts to control firearms indirectly, sneaking in the back door, so to speak.

Expect more proposals like this in the months to come. The Obama Administration is peopled with those whose opposition to the 2nd Amendment is well known. It will be up to those in Congress who believe in the 2nd Amendment and the right to keep and bear arms to erect a firewall to stop this kind of nonsense. ~ Mike McCarville

Wesselhoft Addresses Gang Membership

Rep. Paul Wesselhoft has filed a bill that seeks to crack down on gang members.

“Organized gangs are involved in knifings, shootings, robberies, home invasions, car thefts, drug deals gone bad and bloody street killings and these gangs threaten our very peace,” said Wesselhöft, R-Moore. “It is past time to outlaw gangs; I am going to do it.”

House Bill 2080, by Wesselhöft, will make being a member of an organized gang that has demonstrated a pattern of delinquent or criminal activity a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for up to 90 days, or by a fine of up to $1,000 or both.

The legislation defines “gang member” and “organized gangs” and identifies the names of existing gangs that have demonstrated a pattern of criminal activity.

Currently, there are more than 5,000 gang members in Oklahoma. On May 31, 2008 six Oklahoma teens were shot in random drive-by shootings by gang members. In 1999, there were some 50 drive-by shootings. In 2005, drive-by shootings rose to 260.

“Hardly a week passes without the media reporting a drive-by shooting,” Wesselhöft said.

The Moore lawmaker said officials need to start cracking down on gangs before Oklahoma’s youth are recruited and before the problem escalates beyond control.

HB 2080 would penalize a participant or member of a street gang who is 18 years of age or older and is aware that juveniles are members of his or her gang or are participants in the gang. Those convicted would face up to 180 days in the county jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.

“We are also dealing with an increase in ‘baby gangsters’ in Oklahoma who are eight years of age and spreading graffiti to mark gang territory. At age 13, these kids can become full gang members,” said Wesselhöft. “Many of the gangs are also involved in racial rivalries that could escalate into race wars. Oklahoma must outlaw organized gangs and prevent them from intimidating citizens, killing each other and killing innocent bystanders.”

World Examines Senate GOP Staff Salaries

The Tulsa World's Barbara Hoberock has a Sunday piece about the salaries paid members of Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee's staff. Read the story at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20090215_16_A13_OKLAHO913769.

Holmes Backs Whitten For ODP Chairmanship

Outgoing Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Ivan Holmes says he is supporting Edmond attorney Reggie Whitten as his replacement.

Holmes, retired journalism professor at Northeastern State University who took over the party at a time when it was $500,000 in debt and served without pay, said he is encouraging Whitten, the current party finance chairman, to run for chairman.

Whitten, Holmes said, has been instrumental in raising money to eliminate the party's debt and in increasing booster memberships from 17 to more than 150. Booster memberships require a $1,000 annual donation.

Reynolds: Pastor Not Due Special Treatment

Rep. Mike Reynolds said today legislators have no reason to apologize for their vote to oppose special privileges for a homosexual pastor.

“I cannot recall a time when the House previously voted to include the pre-prayer comments of any pastor of any background in the official House journal,” said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. “We have typically included sermons given by pastors in the journal, but not random comments made before a prayer. The only discrimination being advocated here is coming from homosexual activists demanding special rights and privileges that others do not receive.”

This week the Rev. Scott Jones, a local gay minister, gave the opening prayer for the House session. Before giving the prayer, he introduced people in the gallery, including his “loving” partner, another man.

After the prayer, one legislator asked that the pastor’s “remarks” be included in the official House journal, which indicated that both the prayer and earlier comments would be transcribed – a practice that is “unheard of” based on past precedent, Reynolds noted. As a result, Reynolds and 19 other House members voted against placing those comments into the record.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State today criticized the vote “to not include the comments and prayer” of Rev. Scott.

“Typically, Americans United for Separation of Church and State can’t wait to criticize religious leaders,” Reynolds said. “Apparently, the group’s situational ethics require defending a gay pastor but not a sectarian Ten Commandments monument. The hypocrisy is astounding.

“I think most Oklahomans see this ‘controversy’ for what it is: a fringe group upset that some lawmakers actually believe ‘equality’ really does mean treating everyone the same.”

Muskogee Phoenix Cuts 9% Of Staff

The Muskogee Phoenix announced today the economic downtown in the newspaper industry has forced it to lay off eight employees, including three from its newsroom.

Publisher Larry Corvi said that the national economic downturn is hurting Oklahoma's economy.

"With the economy the way it is, we had to make a tough call," he said. The eight constitute about 9 percent of the newspaper's staff.

Previously, The Oklahoman in Oklahoma City and the Tulsa World have made job cuts, citing similar reasons. Television and radio stations also have cut jobs.

Kern Bill Banishes Teacher Politicking

A bill by Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, would prevent Oklahoma educators from being forced to listen to political addresses during “professional days” or other official school activities.

House Bill 2161 makes it illegal to distribute material at professional meetings “for the purpose of influencing the results of an election for state or local office or a ballot measure or for the purpose of soliciting funds for or against a candidate for state or local office or a ballot measure.”

The bill also states that school district officials and employee organizations are not allowed to promote a candidate for office “at an in-service or other similar teacher meeting.”

“Professional development days should be spent helping teachers hone job skills, not creating a captive audience for a political cause favored by an administrator or special-interest group,” said Kern, an Oklahoma City Republican and former teacher. “Our schools should be centers of learning, not rally organizers for politicians.”

She noted that some schools have used professional days to advocate for ballot initiatives advanced by special interest groups, such as the measure legalizing casinos in 2004.

“Oklahoma’s teachers are smart enough to research political questions and decide for themselves how they want to vote,” Kern said. “They don’t need to waste school time on non-school activities.”

The bill passed on a bipartisan 12-0 vote in the House Common Education Committee. It now goes to the floor of the House.

Inhofe Battles 'Fairness Doctrine' Revival

From Fox News ~ A political battle is brewing over control of the radio airwaves as Democrats consider pushing for the revival of the Fairness Doctrine, an FCC policy that requires broadcast stations to provide opposing views on controversial issues of public importance.

Democratic lawmakers who support the doctrine say it will help increase the number of liberal shows in a landscape dominated by conservative talk radio hosts like Rush Limbaugh.

"I absolutely think it's time to be bringing accountability to the airwaves," Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., told liberal radio host Bill Press last week. She said she expects hearings soon on reviving the policy, which was introduced in 1949 and abolished in 1987. Stabenow's husband, Tom Athans, is and has been an executive at several liberal radio talk groups.

But Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe said radio programming should be based on what brings in listeners and advertisers.

"I can't think of anything worse than to have government in a position to dictate the content of information going over public radio," said Inhofe, a Republican. "The whole idea is that it has to be market driven. We have a lot of progressive or liberal radio shows but nobody listens to them and every time one tries to get on, they are not successful."

Inhofe and other critics believe those pushing to bring back the Fairness Doctrine -- nicknamed the Hush Rush Doctrine -- want to diminish the influence of Limbaugh and other conservative talk show hosts. Supporters insist that's not the case.

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, told Press Wednesday that the Fairness Doctrine is needed not to remove any conservative voices, but to ensure that there are a few liberal shows on the air.

During the presidential campaign, a spokesman said Barack Obama did not favor reinstating the Fairness Doctrine. But his White House spokesman has since left the door open.

"I pledge to you to study up on the 'Fairness Doctrine' so that, one day, I might give you a more fulsome answer," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said.

Inhofe says Democrats and liberal advocacy groups aren't going to let the matter drop. "They are committed to make this happen," he said. "We got to be ready."

Inhofe introduced a bill this year to prevent reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine, but he said he has not gotten a single Democrat to co-sponsor it.

House Panel Approves Office Vacancy Change

The House Rules Committee today voted to change the way vacancies in statewide offices are filled.

House Bill 1322, by Rep. Mike Reynolds, would allow Oklahoma voters, not the governor, to choose the person who fills any vacated statewide office.

Reynolds filed the legislation to prevent any scandals from occurring similar to the one experience recently in Illinois, where Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was accused of trying to “sell” an appointment to the then-vacant U.S. Senate seat.

“The appointment power can easily be abused and Oklahoma has seen more than its share of corruption already,” said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. “My bill will simply remove that temptation and ensure the people of Oklahoma choose the people they want to serve in office.”

If any major office is vacated before the end of the officeholder’s current term that position would remain unfilled until the next general election under the proposal. Currently, the governor is allowed to appoint a successor.

Reynolds noted that Governor Henry actually endorsed a similar course of action when former State Auditor Jeff McMahan was under federal investigation. During that controversy, Henry urged McMahan to step aside during the investigation. McMahan later resigned from office after being convicted.

Reynolds also noted that vacancies in the state Legislature are filled through the election process and not by gubernatorial appointment.

In recent years, two major statewide officeholders have resigned due to legal troubles: McMahan and former Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher. Other vacancies have occurred in the offices of State Treasurer and Corporation Commissioner.

The bill passed out of the House Rules committee and now proceeds to the floor of the House for action.

Autism Bill Draws Support, Discussion

Democratic Floor Leader Mike Brown, D-Tahlequah, and Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs, today praised the passage of a bill designed to enhance services for autism in the state, but cautioned that the bill may not do enough to help families of children with this disease.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Speaker Pro Tem Kris Steele to ensure this bill is as effective as possible,” Brown said. “I’ve always believed that we can craft good legislation by reaching across the aisle to share our concerns and then allow full debate by the good public servants of the House of Representatives."

Brown and Steele, R-Shawnee, collaborated on improving language to HB2027 before it was introduced on the House floor to ensure that the bill would remain in full compliance with existing statutes.

“I’ve visited with administrators at Northeastern State University, and they’re ready to implement this training program. As soon as this funding comes through, they are set to start training autism providers,” Brown added.

“This bill, however, remains only a partial solution to the greater problem of helping families of children with autism,” Brown stated. “They face greater challenges not addressed by this bill, such as paying for costly treatment for their children. Since many insurance companies don’t cover care for autism, even families who can afford private insurance may not be able to afford treatment – so how will these new providers afford to stay in Oklahoma?”

Dorman joined Brown in praising passage of the bill, but also held reservations whether this bill does enough to help Oklahoma families. “My greatest concern is that without a way to ensure these providers a mechanism for payment, we’ll experience a ‘brain drain’ and lose them to other states,” said Dorman. “Training more autism providers is an excellent step in the right direction, but I am concerned especially for people in rural areas that they will still be unable to find autism specialists or pay for their services.”

Resolution: No Terrorists Relocated Here

A resolution asking President Obama and Congress to refrain from relocating Guantanamo Bay terrorist detainees to Oklahoma prison facilities was approved by the House today.

House Resolution 1008, by Rep. T.W. Shannon, requests that Guantanamo Bay terrorist detainees not be transferred to any prison facility in Oklahoma and specifically mentions the Federal Correctional Institution in El Reno, the Fort Sill Regional Confinement Center and the Federal Transfer Center in Oklahoma City. It cites a concern that Oklahoma, by housing terrorist detainees, could become a terrorist target in the future.

“Oklahomans have no interest in housing the men who were involved in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 or other terrorist activities,” Shannon, R-Lawton, said. “This resolution will ensure that the U.S. Congress and President Barack Obama are both aware that we do not want them in our backyard.”

Shannon said he decided to file the resolution after hearing that Fort Sill, which lies on the northern boundary of his district, was mentioned as a possible point for relocation.

Ritze Proposes Open Firearms Carry

Oklahomans would be allowed to carry a visible rifle, shotgun or pistol without a handgun license under a bill filed by state Rep. Mike Ritze.

“In Oklahoma, carrying a rifle or shotgun in your pickup is an accepted practice and most Oklahomans believe they should have the right to carry their guns openly if they have not been convicted of a crime,” by Ritze, R-Broken Arrow. “I hope my fellow lawmakers will approve this bill in committee. It is an affirmation of their belief in our Second Amendment rights.”

House Bill 1414 specifies that the firearm would have to be carried in a belt holster, a scabbard or a case designed for carrying firearms that is “wholly or partially visible.” Currently, Oklahomans by law may carry an unloaded, visible rifle, shotgun or pistol to hunt, in a class, at a sporting event or in a police or military function without a handgun license.

“I believe House Bill 1414 will make it crystal clear that you can have a hunting rifle in your vehicle under most circumstances,” Ritze said.

Monson Defeats Humphreys 57-43%

Former State Senator Angela Monson won the chairmanship of the Oklahoma City Board of Education with 6,387 votes to 4,840 votes for former Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphreys. She earned 56.9 percent of the vote.

Humphreys, 58, took the chairman's seat in August after Cliff Hudson, Sonic CEO, resigned.

Monson, 53, is associate provost for community partnerships and health policy at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She first was elected to the House of Representatives in 1990 and left the Senate in 2005 under term limits. She served as president of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Humphreys resigned as mayor of Oklahoma City to run for the U. S. Senate in 2004. He lost in the Republican primary.

Monson Leads Humphreys; Tally Incomplete

Former State Senator Angela Monson has taken what appears to be a commanding lead over former Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphreys in their battle for the chairmanship of the Oklahoma City Board of Education.

Humphreys is the incumbent, having been named to the seat when Cliff Hudson stepped down.

With 128 of 143 precincts reporting today in results delayed by Tuesday's storm, Monson had 5,400 votes, or 55.5 percent, to 4,322, or 44.5 percent, for Humphreys.

Humphreys could have been hurt by the storms, which hit northwest Oklahoma City areas considered to be his strongest area of support.

Henry Declares State Of Emergency

Governor Henry today declared a state of emergency for 17 Oklahoma counties impacted by Tuesday's tornado outbreak.

A tornado in the Carter County town of Lone Grove killed eight people, at last count, and injured dozens more.

Twisters caused extensive damage in several Oklahoma communities, including Edmond, Oklahoma City, Pawnee, Wilson and Springer. The counties included in the declaration are: Canadian, Carter, Cleveland, Garvin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Logan, Love, Murray, Oklahoma, Pawnee, Payne, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Nowata, Osage and Washington. More counties can be added if conditions warrant.

KTOK's Rudy Joins OFRG

Peter J. Rudy, Capitol Correspondent for KTOK-AM 1000, is joining Oklahomans For Responsible Government as the group's communications director, he said today.

Rudy, who joined the radio station about three years ago, will begin his new job with the advocacy group on February 20th.

Inhofe Votes No, Rips Stimulus Measure

Senator Jim Inhofe, ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, voted today against the largest spending bill to ever be considered before the United States Congress. Senator Tom Coburn also voted against it.

The bill passed by a vote of 61-37.

“Today I voted against a massive spending bill chock-full of the usual big government spending,” Inhofe said. “By the flood of phone calls and emails my office has received, I know the American public understands exactly what this bill does: spend more money that our nation doesn’t have. This bill does very little to put people back to work and little to help get our economy moving again. It’s not about providing tax relief or building roads and bridges. Rather, the current crisis is being used to permanently change the relationship between the federal government and the American people."

Ten Commandments Bill Wins Panel Approval

Legislation allowing the placement of a privately funded Ten Commandments monument at the Oklahoma Capitol received committee approval today.

House Bill 1330, by Rep. Mike Ritze, would create the “Ten Commandments Monument Display Act.”

The bill would allow for a Ten Commandments monument to be displayed on the Capitol grounds in accordance with existing U.S. Supreme Court rulings.

Meacham: Economic Downturn Finds Us

From The Treasurer's Office ~ It appears the downturn in the U.S. economy has found its way to Oklahoma, State Treasurer Scott Meacham announced today.

Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund collections dropped significantly below prior year collections and the estimate in the month of January.

Preliminary reports show General Revenue Fund collections for January totaled $492.8 million. That amount is $45.5 million or 8.5 percent below the prior year and $50.8 million or 9.3 percent below the estimate.

"It would appear that Oklahoma is increasingly seeing the effects of the nationwide recession," said Meacham. "This is the first time in nine months that monthly collections have been lower than both the previous year and the estimate."

In spite of the reduction in collections, Meacham said it appears the state is positioned to finish the fiscal year with sufficient revenue to meet the state's financial obligations.

Confirmed: Brogdon Eyes Governor's Race

Republican Senator Randy Brogdon of Owasso, confirms that he is considering a race for governor next year.

Other potential GOP candidates include Congresswoman Mary Fallin and Congressman Tom Cole. Fallin says she is looking at the race and Cole is known to be considering it as well.

Brogdon, in the Senate since 2002, said he is not satisfied with the existing state leadership.

Brogdon describes himself as a constitutional conservative who believes in protecting life, liberty and property.

He said he will need to raise $1.5 million to $2 million for the race. Previous winners have raised considerably more, but Brogdon said he will have “a grassroots organization like you have never seen before.”

Lt. Governor Jari Askins, Duncan Democrat, has officially announced she's running; Attorney General Drew Edmondson, a Democrat, is considering the race and likely will announce soon. Others mentioned are U.S. Reps. Mary Fallin and Tom Cole, both Republicans.

Fallin Confirms Interest In Governor's Race

Congresswoman Mary Fallin has confirmed she's "looking at" the 2010 race for governor.

The former lieutenant governor made the remark after being asked about the race while appearing at the Oklahoma Press Association convention in Tulsa.

Asked about her interest in the race, Fallin said, "I'm looking at it."

Congressman Tom Cole, asked the same question, hesitated, then said, "I'm looking. Mainly, I'm just watching Mary."

West Point Cadet Plans 24-Hour Run

David Swanson, a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point, plans a 24-hour run around the Yukon High School track to raise dollars for the Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit organization that supports soldiers wounded in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Calling his project the 24 Hour Brigade (www.24hourbrigade.com), ultramarathoner Swanson invites area runners, walkers, mothers with strollers -- virtually anyone, to join him in his effort to raise money and support America's heroes with the Wounded Warrior Project (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/).

He is also soliciting sponsors to pledge dollars per mile he and others run during this twenty-four hour period, from 5:00 pm on Friday, March 20 to 5:00 pm March 21, 2009.

Swanson is the son of Randy Swanson, director of communications for the State Senate.

The Gadfly On The Wall

Sharpton's Right: Al Sharpton finally has said something with which I agree. His words come to us via the syndicated column of Leonard Pitts Jr., who writes: "The Rev. Al Sharpton came to town last week, part of what he calls a national campaign against the so-caled 'stop snitching' culture within the black community. Speaking at a church rally, he called out those folks who suddenly went blind (following a recent crime). 'You are traitors to our race and denigrating our community,' he said. Amen. This idea that we as black people owe some debt of silence to the corrupters and killers among us who shoot our babies and frighten our mothers and steal our sons is, pardon my French, bassackward, yet somehow, it has taken root in our community."

Grocery Sales Tax: Count me as surprised if this initiative goes anywhere this year. Governor Henry likely will (continue to) fight it, saying this is no time to cut taxes. Where have we heard that before?

What Goes Up...: President Obama took office with sky-high expectations and approval ratings to match. His approval rating has fallen 16 points in 10 days. No surprise.

Eliminate Fire: I am stunned that the Brady Campaign isn't out with a screed today calling for a ban on fire. That seems logical for them given the news that Oklahoma has one of the highest fire death rates in the nation. Every time there's a story about a gun death, the Brady Campaign calls for a new ban on guns, insisting that such inantimate objects cause death and mayhem. Tain't so, but when did logic mean anything to the gun-grabbers?

Passings: My friend Rick Tasetano passed away this week at age 78. Rick was the meteorologist at KTOK for almost two decades and he was a character. God rest him. Also passing recently was Doris Selfridge, mother of former KTOK morning show host Cam Edwards.

ORA Leader Responds To Brady Rating

By Charles H. Smith, Executive Director, Oklahoma Rifle Association ~ The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence recently released its “Report Card” which was widely publicized by the media.

Oklahoma did not fare well again this year with the “Brady Bunch” who ranked our state, along with Kentucky, at the bottom of the class.

It should be noted that the states who Brady ranks highest also have another high ranking: crime.

Why does Oklahoma fare so “poorly” with Brady? To name just a few factors faulted by Brady, we permit law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons and deny arbitrary issuance of Self-Defense Act licenses. The average Oklahoman is permitted to protect his/her home and “stand his/her ground.” And most important, we reserve to the state the right to regulate firearms, thus preventing a multitude of municipal ordinances to discriminate against lawful firearms possession.

Brady is also unhappy because we don’t require “pie-in-the- sky” technology such as “smart guns’ and “microstamping, both falsely touted as deterrent to gun crime. We must be doing things right.

If the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence were to be truly honest, they would note their true purpose is to eliminate all firearms in our nation.

They would lead us down the path of firearms registration and confiscation. In their mind, once guns were gone, there would be no more violence. Their grasp of reality is totally absent.

In addressing this latest blast upon the Second Amendment, Oklahomans should be proud we fared so poorly. Thanks to our citizens and lawmakers who still value the “right to keep and bear arms.”

In conclusion the Oklahoma Rifle Association borrows a few words from our state song, “You’re doing fine Oklahoma. Oklahoma, okay.”

Home Invasion Punishment Bill Clears Panel

A bill by state Rep. John Wright that would create harsher penalties for “home invasion” passed out of the House Judiciary Committee Thursday.

House Bill 1030 makes “home invasion” a specific crime subject to Oklahoma’s “truth in sentencing” law requiring those convicted to serve at least 85 percent of their sentence.

Under the bill’s provisions, individuals convicted of home invasion would serve a minimum 10-year prison sentence and as many as 20 years in a correctional facility.

“People have a right to dwell safely and securely in their own home,” said Wright, R-Broken Arrow. “This law would uphold that standard.”

The bill defines “home invasion” as a crime involving “two or more” armed persons who enter a dwelling while the owners are present “with intent to commit some crime" and as a crime that involves “forcibly bursting or breaking the wall, or an outer door, window, or shutter” at a home.

Gun Question Bill Advances To Full House

A bill that would make it a misdemeanor for an employer to ask a potential employee about gun ownership has passed a House committee and now goes to the full House for action.

House Bill 1025, by Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs, was filed after it was disclosed that President Obama's transition team job questionnaire included a question about gun ownership and usage.

Rinehart To Be Investigated...Again

Former Oklahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart is going to be investigated again.

This time, District Attorney David Prater wants to know the details behind an uncashed, two-year-old check for $71,185 found in a credenza in offices Rinehart vacated. The check was written by an auctioneer after surplus property was sold by Rinehart’s District 2 office nearly two years ago.

Prater sent a letter this week asking the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the state auditor to investigate whether Rinehart or his staff are guilty of any wrongdoing, according to records that were obtained by The Oklahoman. Prater also asked state authorities to look into what happened to a computer and two monitors discovered to be missing during an audit when Rinehart left office.

Rinehart was defeated in the Republican primary last year as he sought reelection. He already faces a legal battle over charges filed earlier.

GOP's Jones Says He'll Seek Reelection

Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Gary Jones said today he'll seek reelection.

Jones has been chairman during the GOP's historic increase in power, winning control of the State Senate and solidfying its control of the House. In 2008, Oklahoma was the only state in the nation where every county went red for the McCain-Palin presidential ticket, helping Oklahoma down ballot candidates, Jones said. McCain's 65.4% share of the vote in Oklahoma was the highest in the nation.

Senator Tom Coburn applauded the announcement by Jones: "Chairman Jones has put together a good team at the Oklahoma Republican Party that is proven and ready to lead us in the critical 2010 elections. Our statewide wins in 2008 helped take the majority in the Oklahoma Senate for the first time in state history, and we will need this type of leadership going into the 2010 election cycle. I wholeheartedly support Chairman Jones in his re-election," Coburn said.

Jones was instrumental in publicizing campaign finance irregularities in the campaigns of former Auditor & Inspector Jeff McMahan, who subsequently was convicted on multiple felonies in federal court and now faces nine years in prison. Jones opposed McMahan in the 2002 and 2006 general elections.

Jones will face a challenge from party vice chair Cheryl Williams, who said many Republicans doubt Jones will be able to resist the urge to run for auditor again in 2010, this time against appointed incumbent Steve Burrage. Jones said he will not run.

Political Firms Announce Merger

Two Oklahoma political firms announced today they've merged.

The firms are Public Issue Advisers, Inc. (PIA), under Karma Robinson, and Sagac Public Affairs (Sagac) under Trey and Jeri Richardson.

Director, finalized its merger today with one of the country’s top political action committee finance and management firms, Sagac Public Affairs, LLC (Sagac), Trey and Jeri Richardson, Principals.

“For those who watch Oklahoma politics this is no great surprise. We have worked together successfully going back to 1990 and continue to support each other’s operations in Oklahoma almost daily,” said Richardson.

Sagac is a national company with offices in Northern, Virginia, and Oklahoma City. Sagac's principals and senior management provide fundraising and communications solutions to hundreds of political, non-profit and corporate organizations. Sagac’s clients currently represent some $120 million in federal political action committee funds annually.

Trey and Jeri Richardson are widely recognized leaders in the political community as strategists and practitioners on issue advocacy and political action committees. Known for their creativity and research-driven approach to political marketing, they have influenced the direction of political initiatives throughout the United States for the last 20 years.

Robinson is credited with raising millions of dollars for numerous presidential, gubernatorial, congressional, legislative and issue campaigns.

Boren Named To House Intelligence Panel

Congressman Dan Boren has been named to the U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Boren adds the Intelligence Committee assignment to his current assignments of Committee on Natural Resources and the Armed Services Committee.

GOP Fast-tracks Voter Fraud Measure

The House Rules Committee voted today to target voter fraud by requiring that Oklahoma citizens provide proof of identify before voting in an election. The measure now goes to a vote in the full House.

“Any election reform package approved this year must start with voter ID as its foundation,” said House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa. “Our top priority is to ensure the integrity of our elections, and to do that we must ensure that only eligible voters cast ballots.”

House Bill 1037, by Rep. Sue Tibbs, would require citizens to provide “proof of identify” before voting. Under the bill, proof of identify could be established by producing a document containing a photograph of the voter that was issued by a state, federal, county, municipal, or tribal government.

“For Oklahomans to have faith in our election process, we cannot tolerate any opportunity for voter fraud,” said Tibbs, R-Tulsa. “This legislation provides a simple, cost-effective way to guarantee that no Oklahoman is disenfranchised as the result of illegal votes.”

Under the bill, if a voter is unable to produce a photo ID, that person can sign a statement under oath swearing to his or her identity. Anyone found to have signed the oath falsely would be subject to felony punishment.

In recent election cycles there have been reports of voter fraud in numerous states, prompting lawmakers to enact new reforms. For example, ACORN, a liberal activist group that has registered millions of voters across the country, has been embroiled in countless fraud allegations and was the subject of an FBI investigation.

Some ACORN employees were accused of submitting false voter registration forms – including some signed `Mickey Mouse' and several in Nevada listing Dallas Cowboys players’ names, though none of the players live in the state. Another Nevada ACORN worker was caught filling out voter registration forms using names and addresses copied out of the telephone book.

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a similar law in Indiana that required voters to show photo identification.

Last week, former Federal Election Commissioner Hans von Spakovsky noted in the Wall Street Journal that Georgia and Indiana saw record numbers of Democrats vote in November, despite having some of the nation’s toughest voter ID laws.

"With every election that has occurred since states have begun to implement voter ID, the evidence is overwhelming that it does not depress the turnout of voters,” von Spakovsky said in the Journal. "Indeed, it may actually increase the public’s confidence that their votes will count."

House Bill 1037 passed out of the House Rules Committee today. It will next receive a vote from the entire Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Teacher Pay Package Passes Subcommittee

With its future uncertain, a teacher pay raise package passed by a Senate subcommittee today could cost the state $829 million over the next three years.

Senator Kenneth Corn, Poteau Democrat, is proposing the bill, which would give teachers a $3,000 pay raise per year for three years.

Also included in Senate Bill 291 is a $1,500 raise each year for three years for support staff. The bill also includes language that would allow a teacher's dependent to be covered at no cost on the educator's health insurance.

Buy More Guns! Buy More Ammo!

The gun-grabbing Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence released its annual scorecard today, ranking Oklahoma as tied for last among the 50 states. Oklahoma scored just two points out of a total of 100, along with Kentucky and Louisiana.

The Washington-based group, long on allegations but always short on facts to back up the allegations, claims Oklahoma's "weak gun laws help feed the illegal gun market, allow the sale of guns without background checks and put children at risk."

Meanwhile, an ad hoc group of Oklahomans (The McCarville Report Online, Red Stater, Fried Green Onions) formed Americans Tasked To Attack Brady's Outrageous Yelling (ATTABOY) and said its goal is to see Oklahoma dead last on Brady's list.

Henry Names Myles Deering As Adjutant General

Governor Henry today appointed Army National Guard Major General Myles Deering to serve as the state’s top military officer.

As Oklahoma Adjutant General, Deering will serve as military advisor to the governor and commander of the Oklahoma Air and Army National Guard.

He succeeds Lt. General Harry “Bud” Wyatt III, who was recently promoted to serve as the director of the Air National Guard at the Pentagon in Washington, DC.

“During his lengthy military career, Gen. Deering has distinguished himself as a dedicated solider and a seasoned leader capable of handling any and all challenges that come his way,” said Henry. “Oklahoma will be in good hands with Gen. Deering as its top military officer.”

From December 2004 to November 2008, Deering served as commander of Oklahoma’s famed 45th Infantry Brigade. He led the 45th in recent deployments to Iraq and in 2005 served as task force commander of 15,000 National Guard, Reserve and Active Duty troops in New Orleans during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Deering, 56, was recently assigned as the Director of Manpower and Personnel at the National Guard Bureau in Washington, DC, but will be reassigned back to Oklahoma in order to serve as Oklahoma’s State Adjutant General.

“It is a great honor to serve my home state and my country as adjutant general,” said Deering. “I appreciate the governor’s confidence in me, and I look forward to serving in this new role.”

Deering’s military career has spanned almost four decades. He entered the service in 1971 and was commissioned as an infantry officer upon completing Officer Candidate School. He has held numerous leadership positions in the Oklahoma Army National Guard and has earned numerous medals and citations, including the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. A native of Ada, Deering holds a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. He has also earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma and a master’s degree in Natural and Applied Science from Oklahoma State University. He is a 1970 graduate of Ada High School. Deering and his wife, Pam, reside in Norman. Pam is the Assistant Superintendent of Fiscal Services for the Midwest City-Del City Public Schools. Their son, Daniel, is a former Oklahoma National Guard member who served in Bosnia and Iraq.

Currie Ballard Named To Senate Position

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee said today he's named Currie Ballard as Assistant Secretary of the Senate.

Ballard is a noted and respected historian and community leader who brings a diverse background in politics and journalism to his new position. Ballard has served on a variety of commissions working on national, historical projects, and most recently served as historian-in-residence at Langston University for 12 years.

Currie Ballard served as a member of the board of commissioners of the Oklahoma Human Rights Commission from 1993 until 1999, and was also a member of the Oklahoma Board of Pardons and Parole from 1999 to 2003.

“We believe he is the first African-American to serve in Senate staff leadership, and I’m proud to be a part of this historic hire,” he concluded.

“Currie Ballard is a very capable and talented individual, and I’m glad to have him on board,” said Paul Ziriax, Secretary of the Senate. “He is a valuable – and historic – new member of the Senate team.”

WHAM! Daschle Becomes 2nd Obama Nominee To Withdraw Today As Embarrassments Mount

Tom Daschle threw in the towel today, withdrawing his name as one of President Obama's top picks for his administration. Daschle is the second nominee to pull out today following disclosures about unpaid taxes.

Daschle withdrew his nomination for health and human services secretary after fielding mounting criticism over his failure to pay more than $130,000 in taxes.

The move marked a stunning turnaround from the day before, when Daschle mounted a campaign to retain allies on Capitol Hill and President Obama told reporters he "absolutely" stands by the former South Dakota senator.

But the president accepted Daschle's withdrawal with "sadness and regret" Tuesday morning, according to a White House statement.

"Tom made a mistake, which he has openly acknowledged. He has not excused it, nor do I," Obama said. He added that the "mistake" should not diminish the "many contributions" Daschle has made to the country.

Florida GOP House Speaker Sansom Resigns

A second Republican State House Speaker has resigned in as many years following embarrassing disclosures.

The first was Oklahoma's Lance Cargill, who stepped down a year ago. Today, it is Rep. Ray Sansom of Florida, who effectively gave up his post as House speaker as his GOP colleagues were meeting to consider his ouster as GOP leader, a position that entitles him to serve as speaker.

Republicans voted unanimously to replace Sansom with Speaker Pro Tempore Larry Cretul.

Sansom will keep the title of speaker, though, until a formal vote can be taken on his replacement when lawmakers meet in regular session next month.

The scandal arose after Northwest Florida State College gave Sansom a $110,000 job after he funneled $35 million to the school over the last two years. Sansom also has resigned from the college post.

Unpaid Taxes Trip Another Obama Selection

President Obama's selections for top administration posts are tripping over taxes, much to his chagrin.

The latest is Nancy Killefer, who failed for a year and a half to pay employment taxes on household help. She withdrew her candidacy to be the first chief performance officer for the federal government, the White House said today.

Killefer was the second major Obama administration nominee to withdraw and the third to have tax problems complicate their nomination after Obama announced their selection.

The White House said Obama had accepted Killefer's decision and that the 55-year-old executive with consulting giant McKinsey & Co., would explain her reasons for pulling out later Tuesday.

When her selection was announced by Obama on Jan. 7, The Associated Press disclosed that in 2005 the District of Columbia government had filed a $946.69 tax lien on her home for failure to pay unemployment compensation tax on household help.

Since then, administration officials have refused to answer questions about the tax error which she resolved five months after the lien was filed.

Text Of Henry's State Of The State Address

Members of the House and Senate, Lt. Governor Askins, President Pro Tempore Coffee, Speaker Benge, Honorable Justices of the Supreme Court, distinguished Cabinet and elected officials, honored guests and my fellow Oklahomans and friends:

We gather in this historic chamber as men and women of different backgrounds, different hometowns, and different points of view – yet, we are bonded by a common commitment to serve the great people of Oklahoma. We shoulder tremendous responsibilities: to build a first-class education system; to cultivate economic opportunity; to ensure affordable, accessible health care; to nurture a society in which families and individuals can live in safety, peace and prosperity. The journey toward these goals requires a compass to keep us on a steady course. I am grateful for my own compass: my faithful family. Family anchors us and reminds us of what is truly important and why we chose a path of public service.

And so, I am thankful that my wonderful wife is here this afternoon – a remarkable mother, an incredible, equal partner who is my best friend, my greatest inspiration, and the love of my life. Please help me welcome the incomparable First Lady of Oklahoma, Kim Henry.

Difficult Times, Difficult Choices

Today, Americans confront difficult economic times. Each week ushers in news of more businesses failing, more layoffs, and increasingly somber forecasts. Our nation is in the midst of the worst recession of a lifetime, and Oklahomans, like all Americans, are anxious and concerned. There is deep uncertainty. People want to know that they will be able to afford to retire. They want to know that they’ll be able to pay their bills, provide for their children, and keep their homes. Particularly in these turbulent times, you and I have an awesome responsibility to put aside our differences, especially our partisan differences, and work together to do what is right and best for the people of Oklahoma.

We Oklahomans are tough and resilient. We’ve faced adversity many times, and, by pulling together, we’ve come through those adversities stronger and more united than before. And we’ll do it again. This year, we face a budget hole of nearly $600 million.

As Oklahoma families take a hard look at their own expenses and cut where they can, we must do the same. State agencies must tighten their budgets. Some projects must be put on hold. This fiscal year will be marked by thrift and sacrifice.

In this demanding economic environment, we must make difficult decisions. But, just as the Chinese character for “crisis” also denotes “opportunity,” so, too, do the challenges we face present an opportunity to improve government.

Today, I have placed before you a balanced budget that makes precise, surgical cuts while protecting vital state functions such as education, healthcare, transportation and public safety. Through efficiencies and savings that range from purchasing reforms to consolidated information technologies, we can help ensure a government of greater effectiveness and excellence.

We’ve been through tough times before. When I took office in 2003, Oklahoma faced the worst budget crisis in history – a shortfall of nearly $700 million and a depleted Rainy Day Fund.

We joined forces, working together in bipartisan cooperation, and we confronted the challenge head-on. In a historic agreement, legislative leaders of both parties and I made hard choices. But we protected education and healthcare, and we balanced the budget without raising taxes.

At my urging, in the years since, we have – for the first time in our history – filled the Rainy Day Fund to capacity. Now, we Oklahomans know a lot about the weather. Our favorite son, Will Rogers, said it best when he noted that if you don’t like Oklahoma’s weather, wait five minutes – it’ll change. We know to expect the unexpected: today’s showers could be tomorrow’s tempest, and so we must resist the urge to raid the Rainy Day Fund. We should also remember that the sun will shine again.

This session must be about more than simply seeing our state through a troubled today; we must also plan ahead to ensure prosperity and promise for tomorrow. That prosperity will not occur in a vacuum. It will be the result of painstaking work and innovation. Lack of funding is no excuse for lack of vision, and so this year we must continue building the foundation for a brighter future.

The Competitive EDGE

Three years ago, we launched the EDGE Endowment with the simple but bold goal of transforming Oklahoma into the Research Capital of the Plains. Biotech, aerospace, renewable energies, knowledge-based industries – these are the gateways to a thriving economy in the global age. Only self-imposed limitations on imagination and commitment can hold us back. Thanks to EDGE, our state has a unique tool to nurture research and enterprise that will create good-paying jobs and growth opportunities. But the endowment remains far below the ultimate goal of $1 billion. Each year that we fail to act puts us at a greater competitive disadvantage. By dedicating future interest earnings from the Rainy Day Fund as well as a portion of future annual state investment earnings, the cutting-EDGE investment of today will become the cutting-EDGE research and jobs of tomorrow. I urge you to join me in establishing a permanent funding source for this critical endowment.

Energizing Our Future

As we prepare our state for a vibrant future, it is crucial that we also recognize the evolving reality of energy. Oklahoma energy has a long and glorious tradition. Our world-renowned oil and gas industry is a mainstay of our economy. While we must continue to support the exploration and development of domestic fossil fuels, we must also do more to confront an energy addiction that threatens the very security of our nation. Nearly 70 percent of the nation’s oil supply comes from foreign sources, including countries that are hostile to the United States. Without action, our dependence on foreign fuel will only increase. And that’s a dangerous recipe for the future. Through our state’s abundant resources and hard-earned expertise, Oklahoma is uniquely positioned to be at the forefront of a dynamic new age, an era that demands sustainable energy sources and commonsense conservation.

We must lay the foundation now to encourage and nurture the development and use of alternative energies such as wind, geothermal, solar, biofuels and compressed natural gas. From the winds that sweep across our plains to our vast deposits of natural gas, Oklahoma is blessed with riches that can help free our nation from the grip of foreign fuel. Two years ago, in recognition of the potential of biofuels, we created the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center to capitalize on the innovative research being conducted in our state. Oklahomans are expanding the possibility and viability of cellulosic ethanol, and it is critical that we continue our commitment to this visionary enterprise.

We have established green energy-efficiency standards for public buildings, but that is only the beginning. I challenge all state agencies to lead by example, examining any and all ways in which to conserve, and thus maximize, our resources. State agencies have the ability to reduce energy consumption by 10 percent by 2010 – and, with commitment and ingenuity, they will.

Coaches for Education

Perhaps the most important key to future prosperity is a strong education system. We must protect the gains we have made in the classroom. Together, we have increased teacher pay, created a world-renowned early childhood education system, strengthened accountability and standards with the ACE initiative, and provided a permanent funding source for Oklahoma’s Promise so people of limited means can attend college. We cannot lose ground now. Too many of our students are failing to graduate from high school.

I again propose a “graduation coaches” program that will bring volunteers from our communities into our schools to serve as guides, mentors and champions for students at risk of dropping out.

Oklahoma is brimming with intelligent, caring and capable individuals, eager to make a difference in the lives of our students. I urge you to create a graduation coaches program this year to help give all Oklahoma students a chance to graduate from high school and an opportunity to realize their full potential.

A Healthier Oklahoma

Just as tomorrow’s successes are built in today’s classrooms, the work of building a healthier Oklahoma – an Oklahoma with a long and vibrant future – must begin in the present moment. In recent years, we have worked across the aisle to improve the health and healthcare of our people.

We have enacted common-sense restrictions on tobacco use that protect workers, children and others from the dangers of secondhand smoke. We have worked with tribal partners and our state’s universities to begin building world-class cancer and diabetes research and treatment centers.

In schools across Oklahoma, we have doubled physical education requirements and restricted the sale of drinks and snack foods with little or no nutritional value. Programs like the Strong and Healthy Oklahoma Initiative are giving Oklahomans the information they need to lead healthier lifestyles.

Still, too many Oklahomans lack access to adequate medical care. Nearly 20 percent of all Oklahomans and more than 18 percent of our children are uninsured. Without decisive action this year, the world economic situation will only exacerbate this problem. We took action in 2004, and our nationally-acclaimed Insure Oklahoma program has since demonstrated great promise. More than 3,600 employers are partnering with the state and private insurers to provide coverage to nearly 11,000 employees.

But that is only a start. Insure Oklahoma can ultimately provide health coverage – and financial stability and peace of mind – to tens of thousands more Oklahomans. We are making great headway. In Tulsa, for example, we are increasing participants through targeted enrollment at the point of service. We should expand this pilot program, and, the good news is, funding is already in place.

We can also attract many more participants by allowing additional lower-cost choices, such as high-deductible and tailored-benefit plans. I urge you to join me in continuing to build upon this tremendous program so every eligible Oklahoman can eventually receive affordable health insurance. Just as we work to increase the number of insured Oklahomans, we must also make certain that coverage is meaningful and provides services that Oklahomans need. I commend House leaders for their efforts to increase the number of autism service providers in Oklahoma.

Too many of our families face the daunting task of raising autistic children with little or no help. That must change.

None of us would think of denying health coverage to a child suffering from diabetes or battling against cancer. Why deny that same coverage to an autistic child? I call on this Legislature to ensure that all insurance companies follow the lead of Blue Cross/Blue Shield and include autism coverage in their policies so families can get the help they need and deserve.

Methamphetamine addiction also threatens our state’s health. Meth has destroyed lives and families across Oklahoma, and it still preys on our children and loved ones. In 2005, we passed landmark legislation that put pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient of meth, behind the counter. It virtually wiped out toxic and explosive meth labs in our state. But addiction remains, and so does the supply of imported meth.

We must not relent in the battle against this destructive force. I am so proud of my wife, Kim, for her work co-chairing the Crystal Darkness Initiative that fights meth addiction in Oklahoma – first with a compelling and informative documentary, and now with a statewide public education and treatment campaign. We cannot lose the momentum created by Crystal Darkness. I urge you to join Kim and me in making sure that substance-abuse treatment is available to help free Oklahomans trapped in the terror of addiction.

Empowering People

No freedom is more precious than the right to vote. Government of the people and for the people requires participation by the people. Record voter turnouts across the nation last November were cause for celebration, but long lines and discouraging waits were cause for concern. Early in-person voting has been hugely successful in Oklahoma and other states. I call on you to help boost voter participation by making it easier and more convenient for our citizens to vote. Let’s extend early voting in our state by four days, allowing voters to cast their votes for a full week prior to Election Day.

Last week, parts of Oklahoma were again devastated by ice storms and winter weather. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of those impacted by the storms. We all want to do more to help, and we can. We need to act now to replenish the state emergency fund so our communities and counties can get the help they need.

The Choices We Make

This is a historic year in Oklahoma politics. I congratulate Speaker Benge, President Pro Tem Coffee, and Democratic leaders Morgan and Laster on their respective elections to leadership. I’ve had the pleasure of working with each of you in the past, and I look forward to doing so again this session. Now, more than ever, it is time for all of us in this chamber to put aside partisan differences and petty squabbles. The stakes are too high, the consequences too great, to surrender to the divisiveness of partisan games. Politics stirs strong emotions, but I would implore you to shrug off the perceived slights that sometimes tarnish the business of this building. Mahatma Gandhi noted that an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

The challenges of 2009 and beyond will require clear vision. As we move toward the close of the first decade of the 21st century, we must ask ourselves what we hope to accomplish. Each day, we will make choices that determine the state our children will inherit.

We can push polarizing legislation that grabs the attention of bloggers and talk radio, or we can pursue legislation that propels Oklahoma firmly into the 21st century.

We can cater to party lines and special interests, or we can work, together, in the best interests of the people and the state we love.

Choose cooperation. Choose bipartisanship and unity. Choose the right course for the people of Oklahoma.

This legislative session, we will make difficult decisions. But we can take comfort in the knowledge, borne of experience, that trying times are temporary, but the fruits of cooperation and consensus are everlasting.

If we work together, Oklahoma will reach new heights. Let us choose, in this moment, to make our mark upon Oklahoma’s future.

God bless you, and God bless Oklahoma.

Legislature Convenes This Afternoon

The Oklahoma Legislature, totally controlled by Republicans for the first time in state history, convenes this afternoon.

Republicans took control of the Senate in last fall's elections and subsequently elected Glenn Coffee as president pro-tem.

House Speaker Chris Benge, elected a year ago following Lance Cargill's resignation, continues to lead Republicans in the lower house.

Tulsa's Channel 8 Cuts More Employees

Tulsa's KTUL-Channel 8, has cut eight more staff members and asked others to take pay cuts, it is reported. The station fired 13 employees last fall as part of its effort to cope with diminished advertising revenue.

Allbritton Communications, the Virginia-based company that owns the station, has also cut staffs at its other television stations, including its flagship station, WJLA, in Washington, D.C. and its Little Rock station, where 20 employees were fired.

Now THAT'S Ironic

The Tulsa World, which fired Capitol Correspondent Mick Hinton as part of its recent financial retrenchment, reports today that Hinton has been given the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Oklahoma Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

The SPJ board members who selected Hinton said his professional curiosity has helped Oklahoma readers get the news they need. He worked for both The Oklahoman and the Tulsa World.