Dutcher Asks, 'LWV To Support Voter ID?'

Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs executive and blogger Brandon Dutcher asks today if the League of Women Voters now will support voter ID legislation in light of the Tulsa World's discovery of the dead casting ballots last year.

"One has to assume the answer is yes," Dutcher blogs. "After all, League spokesman Gloria Caldwell said last month that 'if there were any evidence of voter impersonation in Oklahoma elections, the League of Women Voters would be first in line supporting this kind of [voter ID] legislation, but proponents cannot identify one single case.'

"Now that the Tulsa World has found that as many as 429 dead Oklahomans are still registered to vote, and that as many as 10 have voted postmortem since 2004, surely a League press release is imminent."

McCampbell: Behenna Should Get New Trial

Former U. S. Attorney Robert McCampbell said today that Army Lt. Michael Behenna, convicted of murder in the death of an Al Qaida operative in Iraq, should, at the least, be given a new trial due to prosecutorial misconduct.

McCampbell appeared on The Verdict with Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater to discuss the conviction of Behenna, an Edmond native who is the son of federal prosecutor Vicki Behenna and retired OSBI agent Scott Behenna.

Prater said information in the possession of the military prosecutors in the Behenna case favorable to Behenna should have been "immediately" disclosed to Behenna's defense attorneys. Instead, the information was not disclosed until Behenna had been convicted. An appeal to the judge based on the withholding of the information was dismissed.

That information came from the proseuction's own forensics expert, who agreed with Behenna's account of how the death occurred. The expert was not called to testify and was sent home by the prosecutors after he told them of his opinion.

The Behenna case has drawn the attention of Senator Jim Inhofe and Congresswoman Mary Fallin, who have directed questions about the verdict and withheld information to Army officials.

Behenna is now in the federal prison at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, serving a 25-year sentence. The commanding general of his 101st Airborne unit at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, has total control of the eventual outcome of the case. The general can set the verdict aside, dismiss it, order a new trial or reduce Behenna' sentence.

Problem: Tulsa World Finds Dead Voters

Louise Marie Chitwood, a Bennington woman born in 1922, voted on Nov. 4 of last year, according to records.

Perhaps it was no surprise to some. Chitwood voted 15 times since 2000, Oklahoma State Election Board data show. And she had volunteered at Bennington’s voting booths for about 20 years, said Harold Chitwood, Chitwood’s husband.

But Chitwood died in 2006, two years before the election board showed her final ballot was cast. Since 2004, as many as 10 Oklahomans apparently voted after their death, a Tulsa World investigation found. Half of those votes were cast during last year’s elections.

None were made in Tulsa County.

The World also found as many as 429 dead Oklahomans are still registered as voters throughout the state.

Typically, state and county boards of elections remove the deceased from voter rolls as soon as possible.

Read the complete story in Sunday's Tulsa World.

The Gadfly On The Wall

The Blogosphere: It's difficult to keep track of all the Oklahoma "political" blogs that come and go; many just fade away after a few months, others go weeks without posts and others pop up. One new one, Okie Pundit, is written by former Rep. Thad Balkman of Norman.

Ye Olde Clan Crest: At right is one of two (!) Clan Mac Cearbaill crests from the misty darkness of Olde Ireland. From Mac Cearbaill, it became McKervill, McCarvil, McCarvill, McCarville.

Tom Coburn: The senator has not yet announced his plans about reelection. I lean to a decision that he'll run. We should know for sure in a few hours; he's scheduled a news conference in Tulsa on Monday morning.

The Uninformed: The case of the pharmacist charged with first degree murder illustrates once again that most folks often don't get the facts straight in controversial cases. This one, so close to home, is riddled with misinformation. Many appear to believe, despite video evidence to the contrary, that the dead robber had a gun he pointed at pharmacist Jerome Ersland; he did not. Many appear to believe, based on Ersland's initial account of the incident, that the dead robber's alleged accomplice fired his pistol at Ersland; the video does not support that claim and contradicts Ersland's claim that he was wounded by a gunshot. Many appear to believe that Ersland shot the robber because he (the robber) was black; first, the robber wore a mask that covered his face and second, a robber is a robber is a robber no matter his skin color. Many appear to believe that Ersland's shots at the dead robber were fired at the instant of the robbery attempt, while the video shows almost thirty seconds elapsed between the first shot and shots two through six. Twice, Ersland turned his back on the robber downed by Ersland's first shot to his head, thus weakening any argument that Ersland felt threatened by the wounded robber. But all of these facts pale compared to this one: Had Antwun Parker and his accomplice robber not barged into that pharmacy to commit a crime, he would not be dead today and Ersland would still be filling prescriptions without facing a first degree murder charge. Had Parker been the "good boy" his family members claim he was, he would be alive today. Parker made a fatal mistake; Ersland apparently made a mistake as well, one rooted no doubt in fear, anger and adrenaline. First degree murder? I doubt a jury anywhere in Oklahoma will convict on that charge. Manslaughter, perhaps, though many instead would pin a medal on Ersland.

Outlaw Matches, Lighters? A new report out this week claims 14,000 kids across America died last year as the result of fires they started. That's multiple times more than the number of kids killed in accidental shootings, yet we've heard no outcry from the moonbats about outlawing matches and lighters.

Behenna Case: The case of Army Lt. Michael Behenna, convicted of murder in the death of an Al Qaida operative in Iraq after military prosecutors withheld evidence favorable to Behenna from their own forensics expert, is among topics discussed on this Sunday's edition of The Verdict, hosted by Kent Meyers (center right) and Mick Cornett (center left). The show, on prosecutorial misconduct, features former U. S. Attorney Robert McCampbell (on right in photo) and Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater (on the left) as the guest experts. The show airs at 9 a.m. Sundays on Cox Cable 7.

Stunner: Sullivan Takes Leave From Congress, Enters California Alcohol Rehab Facility

Today, Congressman John Sullivan, R-1st District, released the following statement:

"Last night, I checked myself in to the Betty Ford Center in California to treat my addiction to alcohol.

"To ensure my success in this fight, I’ve decided to take a temporary leave of absence from Congress. I value my relationship with the citizens of Oklahoma’s First Congressional District, whom I am privileged and honored to have served for the past eight years. So, I wanted to be open and honest on this tough situation.

"I ask for your continued support and prayers as I face the challenges that lay ahead. I look forward to returning to serve and work for you in the House of Representatives as soon as possible.

"My family is going through a difficult time right now and I ask that you respect their privacy and keep us in your thoughts and prayers. With God’s help and strength, I will get through this most challenging time in my life."

Report: Coburn To Seek Reelection

The New Ledger reports today it has learned that Republican Senator Tom Coburn will announce next week that he has decided to run for re-election in 2010.

Coburn, now serving his first term in the Senate, has said he'll officially announce his decision by June 1st.

Henry Nominates Hunter For School Land Post

Governor Henry today nominated former legislator and Secretary of State Mike Hunter to serve as the new secretary and executive director of the School Land Office.

If approved by the Commissioners of the Land Office, Hunter will replace Clifton Scott. Scott, former State Auditor and Inspector, announced his retirement earlier this year.

Hunter served in the House and as general counsel for the Corporation Commission. He served as Secretary of State under former Governor Frank Keating. Hunter has spent the last seven years as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the American Council of Life Insurers, continuing to work with Keating, who heads the organization.

Coburn Speculation Tops U. S. Senate Talk

From The Hill ~ Senate Republicans will begin learning about some key potential retirements after recess, with the first in a series of decisions that will loom large over how the 2010 Senate battlefield takes shape.

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) said this week that he will make an announcement about his political plans June 1, and National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chairman John Cornyn continues to suggest Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) will leave the Senate early, paving the way for a special election.

Read the entire report at http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/senate-gop-watches-waits-as-key-retirement-questions-hover-over-2010-landscape-2009-05-21.html.

Prater, Judge Disagree In Ersland Case

Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater and District Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure argued today over whether accused killer Jerome Ersland should have access to a firearm while at work if he makes the $100,000 bail the judge set.

Prater, who yesterday filed a first degree murder charge against Ersland after viewing videotape of the shooting of robber Antwun Parker, argued Ersland should be able to defend himself and fellow pharmacy employees if another robbery is attempted. The judge disagreed.

The hearing turned contentious when Prater asked the judge not to bar Ersland from access to a gun while at the store. He argued Ersland still has a right to defend himself and pharmacy employees if the store is robbed again.

He said the restriction either meant Ersland would be fired from his job or crooks now know it is "open season" at the pharmacy if Ersland is there. The district attorney said his position sounds crazy but under the law Ersland has the right to protect himself. Courtroom spectators applauded Prater's statement.

The judge refused to change her decision, saying Ersland can get another job. "If somebody wants to be around him, they are not going to have access to a gun," the judge said.

"That's wrong," Prater replied.

The judge ruled that Ersland, 57, of Chickasha will be under house arrest if he makes bail and can only leave his home to go to his doctor, see his attorney, go to court, go to the grocery store, go to restaurants, go to church and to work.

Rock On! American Flag Goes Back Up

From The Dallas Morning News In Mansfield, Texas ~ Kindred Hospital and its corporate bosses in Kentucky got a lesson in patriotism Wednesday.

After a thorough roasting in the blogosphere, Kindred officials decided to let hospital supervisor Debbie McLucas put an American flag back on her office wall.

"We have invited the employee (McLucas) to put the flag back up," Kindred said in a brief press release.

McLucas did not return phone calls from The Dallas Morning News on Wednesday but she told her story on KRLD radio’s early-morning talk show. She said her husband spent 24 years in the U.S. Army. One son is an ex-Marine and a second son is an Army veteran. A daughter is a combat medic serving in Iraq.

So, as a patriotic American and with Memorial Day approaching, McLucas decided last week to mount a 3-foot-by-five-foot American flag on the wall of an office she shares with three other supervisors at Kindred Hospital.

McLucas said she got to work on Friday and found the flag had been taken down because another supervisor had complained that the display was offensive. The complaining employee is an African immigrant who has lived in the United States for 14 years, McLucas said.

"The other supervisor took it down unknown to me because I wasn’t at work that day, and it’s when I returned to work last Friday that I was told it was taken down because it was offensive," McLucas said during the interview on KRLD.

The Kindred Hospital press release said the company is working to resolve this "isolated incident between two employees."

Rhonda Williams, hospital administrator, said McLucas was not at work Wednesday but has accepted the offer to remount the flag on the office wall.

Police, DA Clear Homeowner In Shooting

Oklahoma City police and District Attorney David Prater have cleared homeowner Scott Henson in the shooting death of an intruder inside Henson's home last week.

Prater said it appears Henson, who holds a license to carry a concealed firearm, was justified in shooting 29-year-old Ronald Penn when he found Penn inside his home when he returned for lunch. Henson said he drew his pistol and fired when Penn made an aggressive move toward him.

Prater's comments in the Henson case came as he discussed the filing of a first degree murder charge against pharmacist Jerome Ersland in the shooting death of an armed robber on May 19th. Prater said Ersland, who also holds a license to carry a concealed firearm, fired five shots at near-point blank range into Antwun Parker after Parker already was incapacitated by a shot to his head. "It's a good example of what not to do," Prater said of Ersland's action.

Phipps, Mass Sentenced To Federal Prison Terms

The Oklahoman's Nolan Clay reports today that a federal judge in Muskogee has "sentenced corrupt businessman Steve Phipps to a year and a day in federal prison for paying off three legislators to divert almost $2.8 million in taxpayer funds to his businesses. The judge sentenced former state Rep. Mike Mass to two years in prison for taking kickbacks from Phipps. They must together pay $279,258 in restitution to the state of Oklahoma. Phipps, of Kiowa, also must pay a $50,000 fine."

Read the story at www.newsok.com.

Pharmacist Faces 1st Degree Murder Charge

Pharmacist Jerome Ersland of Chickasha has been charged with 1st degree murder in the recent shooting death of an armed robber inside an Oklahoma City pharmacy.

District Attorney David Prater filed the charge after reviewing police reports and, apparently, a videotape from cameras that captured the entire incident.

The videotape, released to the news media by Prater this afternoon, is about 27 seconds long. After Ersland's initital shot at the robbers, one of whom clearly has a pistol in his hand, Ersland pursues the robber with the pistol to the door. The second robber has fallen to the floor, apparently hit by Ersland's shot. The videotape shows Ersland reentering the store, then walking behind the counter, down an aisle way, opening a drawer, removing a pistol, then walking back to the wounded robber, leaning over and shooting him repeatedly. The robber isn't visible in the released videotape, but Ersland firing is visible. Ersland then returns to the counter and calls police.

Prater said Wednesday that the 57-year-old Ersland was justified in shooting Antwun Parker once in the head on May 19. But Prater says Ersland went too far when he shot Parker five more times in the abdomen while Parker lay unconscious on the floor. Ersland's attorney — Irven Box — says Ersland was protecting himself and two women inside the pharmacy.

The charge alleges Ersland repeatedly shot Parker, 16, while Parker was semi-conscious, incapacitated and prone on the floor. Ersland’s account of the incident doesn’t match the video or the evidence collected at the scene, Oklahoma City Police Detective David Jacobson wrote in his affidavit.

Parker was shot once in the head and five times in the stomach area. The autopsy found Parker was still alive after the head shot and died from the stomach wounds. Apparently, it is the stomach wounds, inflicted after the shot to the head, the prompted the filing of the murder charge.

Ersland, holder of a license to carry a concealed firearm, says he acted in self defense when he shot Parker to stop the armed robbery attempt.

Ersland, a disabled veteran, said two armed men in ski masks threatened him and two other employees when they burst into Reliable Discount Pharmacy in south Oklahoma City.

Texas Worker's Flag Offends Fellow Supervisor

From CBS 11 News/Manfield, Texas ~ Is it okay to show your patriotism at the office?

For one Arlington woman, the answer was "no" after she hung an American flag in her office just before the Memorial Day weekend.

Debbie McLucas is one of four hospital supervisors at Kindred Hospital in Mansfield. Last week, she hung a three-by-five foot American flag in the office she shares with the other supervisors.

When McLucas came to work Friday, her boss told her another supervisor had found her flag offensive.

"I was just totally speechless. I was like, 'You're kidding me,'" McLucas said.

McLucas' husband and sons are former military men. Her daughter is currently serving in Iraq as a combat medic.

Stifling a cry, McLucas said, "I just wonder if all those young men and women over there are really doing this for nothing."

McLucas said the supervisor who complained has been in the United States for 14 years and is formerly from Africa.

McLucas said the supervisor took down Debbie's flag herself.

"The flag and the pole had been placed on the floor," McLucas said. But McLucas also said hospital higher ups had told her some patients' families and visitors had also complained.

"I was told it wouldn't matter if it was only one person," she said. "It would have to come down."

McLucas said hospital bosses told her as far as patriotism was concerned, the flag flying outside the hospital building would have to suffice.

Kindred Hospital Corporate Headquarters are located in Kentucky. They have yet to make a final decision on the matter. They have not returned our phone calls for comment.

The Kindred Hospital Corporation was chosen as Fortune's most admired for 2009. McLucas hopes they'll back her patriotism. "I find it very frightening because if I can't display my flag, what other freedoms will I lose before all is said and done," McLucas asked.

OKC Homeowner Shoots, Kills Intruder

For the second time in as many weeks, a person licensed to carry a concealed firearm has shot and killed an intruder.

Today, Oklahoma Cityan Scott Henson returned home for lunch and found an intruder in his home. A confrontation occurred and Henson shot and killed the man, his wife said.

Recently, a pharmacist with a concealed carry license shot and killed an armed robber who was firing his semi-automatic pistol at the pharmacist and other employees.

Senate Passes HB1170, Ends Session

The State Senate has passed a bill that created a deadlock last week and prompted a delay in the end of the session. The bill now heads to Governor Henry's desk.

The bill would create a chief information officer to oversee technology purchasing for the state.

The Senate planned to end its session last Friday, but after the bill's failure, Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, brought the upper chamber back into session on Tuesday for another vote.

Democrats say that House Bill 1170 consolidates too much power in the hands of one person.

Republicans said it would save the state money by making purchasing more uniform.

Senator Harry Coates, R-Seminole, joined Democrats in voting against the measure. The vote was 25-23.

Inhofe Reacts To Sotomayer Nomination

Senator Jim Inhofe said today he has "cause for great concern" about comments made by President Obama's nominee for the U. S. Supreme Court, Appeals Court Judge Sonia Sotomayer.

“Of primary concern to me is whether or not Judge Sotomayor follows the proper role of judges and refrains from legislating from the bench. Some of her recent comments on this matter have given me cause for great concern. In the months ahead, it will be important for those of us in the U.S. Senate to weigh her qualifications and character as well as her ability to rule fairly without undue influence from her own personal race, gender, or political preferences.”

Coburn Reacts To Obama High Court Nominee

Senator Tom Coburn said today that President Obama's selection of federal appeals Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court reinforces his belief that the "American people need judges who will interpret the Constitution, not rewrite it based on ideology or personal opinion.''

Coburn is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will conduct hearings on the nomination, the Oklahoma Republican did not say whether he would support or oppose her confirmation.

Sotomayor was appointed to the appeals post by President George H. W. Bush in 1992.

Coburn said, "Judge Sotomayor deserves fair and open hearings and a dignified confirmation process. Our views about the nominee and our procedural decisions should be informed by what we learn about the nominee’s qualifications and her commitment to interpreting the Constitution."

Senate Returns Today To Finish Session

The State Senate returns today to finish the legislative session after a hang-up on a contentious issue last week when adjournment was scheduled.

Business in the Senate stalled last week after Democrats voted against a bill that would put one person in charge of the state's computer systems and Republican leaders held the vote open. Democrats then walked out. Republicans are three votes shy of passing the measure.

The bill, Senate Bill 980, would create a chief information officer.

Fallin, Inhofe Ask Questions In Behenna Case

Jim Myers of the Tulsa World's Washington Bureau reports today that Senator Jim Inhofe and Congresswoman Mary Fallin have taken an interest in the case of Army Lt. Michael Behenna of Edmond, convicted by a military tribunal of killing a suspected Al Qaida member in Iraq.

Meyers write, "An Oklahoma family that believes their son did not receive a fair trial before being convicted of murdering an Iraqi detainee has turned to the state's congressional delegation for help.

"In a letter to members of the delegation, the mother of 1st Lt. Michael Behenna said the prosecution improperly withheld evidence that might have helped her son.

"'I witnessed at that trial the most egregious Brady and discovery violation I have ever seen,' said Vicki Behenna of Edmond. 'The disclosure violation and prosecutorial misconduct cut to the heart of Michael's trial, his truthfulness, and has undermined our confidence in the integrity of the military justice system.'"

Read the story at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=12&articleid=20090524_16_A15_WASHIN292967.

Honoring Their Memory And Sacrifice

The Gadfly On The Wall

Memorial Day: As my friend Ron Black writes (and I paraphrase) get on your knees and give thanks for the thousands of Americans who shed their blood, lost their lives, or shared their time in our military. I think this weekend of my high school buddy Mike Johnson Hope, who lost his young life as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam more than 40 years ago. And of Army veteran Major John Ford, another high school best friend, who served his 20 well, retired, landed a job with the State of Oklahoma and then died of a heart attack at his desk. God rest them...God protect all those who serve, and who have served.

Redeployment: Grandson Colby, the Navy Reserves Seabee with an Iraq tour already under his belt, heads back to the sandbox next month...likely to duty in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border area. He'll join Operation Enduring Freedom, the combat operation involving some coalition partners and currently operating primarily in the eastern and southern parts of the country along the Pakistan border. Keep Colby and all the others who serve in your prayers, please.

Oops: Republican Senator Steve Russell picked a poor time to absent himself from the Senate on Friday. His vote apparently could have avoided a deadlock between Republicans and Democrats over a controversial bill. Upshot is the Legislature did not adjourn Friday as planned and will reconvene on Tuesday. Russell was out of state giving a speech.

And Now: We await Senator Tom Coburn's decision as to whether he'll seek reelection. With J. C. Watts announcing he won't run for governor, there's some thought he might go for the Senate if Coburn doesn't run. I doubt it. Watts said he has too many business entanglements to run for governor...and they would be even more complicated if he ran for the Senate, given that he's now a Washington lobbyist. Speculation continues to swirl about whether former Governor Frank Keating, also in Washington these days, might run for the Senate if Coburn does not.

Righteous Shooting: The pharmacist who shot and killed an armed robber who was firing a pistol at him last week should be receiving praise in all quarters, but some disconnected folks showed up outside the southside pharmacy to shout "Racist!" at him. Look, if someone is firing a pistol at me, I'm not likely to pay much attention to the color of his skin. I'm focused on the damn pistol he's firing. A criminal is a criminal, no matter his skin color and this dead one may have been 16, but the pistol he was firing didn't know that and neither did the pharmacist who was trying to save himself and his fellow employees.

Cheney Uncorked: Former Vice President Dick Cheney has found his voice, taking on President Obama on the war on terror. Earlier, Cheney spoke out on a myriad of issues, so many he had my head swimming. Now, he's focused on what is likely the most important issue of our era, and he is rightfully, and forcefully, scoring points.

Graduates: Granddaughter Faye and grandson Kevin are now officially high school graduates. Kevin was homeschooled and Faye attended Del City High School and Mid-Del Vo-Tech. That's four grandkids with diplomas and one to go. Grandson Michael won his associate's degree from Rose State College after years of persistence. Pride is in abundance at Casa McCarville this week.

Noted Quote: Cheney on The Terror Network

“When an entire population is targeted by a terror network, nothing is more consistent with American values than to stop them...our government prevented attacks and saved lives. Only detainees of the highest intelligence value were subjected to enhanced interrogation techniques.” ~ Former Vice President Dick Cheney

Senate Votes To Continue Session Next Week

The Legislature won't adjourn today as planned after all, a development that came when the Senate this afternoon voted 24-21 to return to work next week following the Memorial Day holiday. The action followed a walkout by Democrats this morning. See story below.

Walkout Mars Final Day Of Session

Disagreement over procedure by majority Republicans resulted in a walkout of Senate Democrats this morning.

Business in the Senate stalled after Democrats voted against a bill that would put one person in charge of the state's computer systems and Republican leaders held the vote open.

The bill, Senate Bill 980, would create a chief information officer.

Republicans need three votes to pass the bill.

J. C. Watts Says He Won't Run For Governor

J. C. Watts announced today that because of business and contractural obligations in Washington, he will not seek the Republican nomination for governor next year.

The announcement followed 24 hours of speculation he would opt not to make the race. The former 4th District congressman has built a thriving lobbying business and is in demand as a public speaker at conservative and business events.

Watts issued this statement: "After much prayer and deliberation with my family and friends. It is with a heavy heart that my wife and I have decided not to run for governor in 2010. I have observed with great interest and pride the progress my state is making under the bold and innovative leadership of the state legislature. Nothing would give me greater joy and satisfaction than to go work with these leaders to grow and prosper Oklahoma. However, my current business and contractual obligations create hurdles that I cannot overcome at this time. Oklahoma has much to offer both nationally and internationally. I would challenge the candidates running for governor to put their best foot forward to advocate for us on both stages. The new Governor must aggressively pursue and promote the virtues of our state. I would cherish that opportunity, but unfortunately that will not be in 2010. Many Oklahomans, Republican and Democrat, red, yellow, black, brown and white, from all walks of life encouraged me to make the race. I am deeply honored, humbled and grateful for the confidence they have shown in me. I'm sorry we won't fulfill our goals together. I will continue to work for a prosperous and thriving Oklahoma, this glorious place we call home and the rest of the world calls America."

Congresswoman Mary Fallin, an announced candidate for the GOP nomination for governor, said, "J. C. Watts has been a great friend and a great asset to the people of Oklahoma. He is a popular figure both here and nationally and I am sure he will continue to find success in or out of politics. Decisions like this are never easy but at the end of the day I am sure he did what he felt was best for him and his family."

Poll: 80 Percent Believe Watts Is Out

If J. C. Watts announces he's a candidate for governor, it will surprise many who have voted in today's online poll on The McCarville Report Online.

Thus far, about 80 percent believe Watts will announce he's not running. The poll can be found on the top right side of this page; if you've not yet voted, please do so.

Henry Signs Lawsuit Reform Measure

Governor Henry has signed into law what is described as a historic compromise on lawsuit reform and said it is time to "put this issue behind us."

Making changes to the lawsuit system has been a top priority for Republicans, who now control both the House and Senate. In the past, most attempts at lawsuit, or tort, reform have been blocked by Democrats in the Senate.

"This legislation enacts reasonable and responsible reforms that improve the civil justice system without impairing a citizen's constitutional right to have his or her legitimate grievances appropriately addressed in court," Henry, an attorney, said in a statement.

Under the bill, damages for pain and suffering, also called noneconomic damages, are capped at $400,000, unless exceptional circumstances exist. An indemnity fund is to be created to cover damages in excess of $400,000; how the cost of the fund will be handled has yet to be determined, but it will carry up to $20 million a year and cost under $1 million.

Court shopping of class-action lawsuits will be restricted.

The measure also contains a provision for the review of attorney fees in class-action suits. The measure does not include an opt-in provision for class actions, rather than an opt-out provision, as prior proposals had contained. An expert will have to certify that a professional negligence case has merit before it can proceed. That requirement will be waived for indigent plaintiffs.

Henry said it is time to "put this issue behind us" and give lawsuit reforms time to work.

"For more than two decades tort reform topped the chamber's legislative agenda and was one of the last components needed to make Oklahoma a true pro-business state," said Mike Neal, Tulsa Metro Chamber president and CEO. "This reform bill protects businesses, citizens and workers."

Prison Cell Phone Ban Goes To Henry's Desk

A bill that bans cellular telephones in Oklahoma prisons is now on Governor Henry's desk after legislative approval.

Senator Don Barrington, Lawton Republican, said cell phones join items that are already prohibited in prison, including alcohol, tobacco, drugs and other items that can be used as weapons.

He says cell phones "are one of the more dangerous weapons since prisoners are using them to harass their victims," while continuing to be involved in drug cartels and other criminal activity.

The bill makes it a felony punishable with up to two years in jail and a $2,500 file for anyone to bring a cell phone or any electronic digital transmission device into a prison without permission.

Poll: Obama Disapproval, Limbaugh Approval

From Public Policy Polling ~ A majority of Oklahoma voters disapprove of the job Barack Obama is doing as President, not a great surprise in the state he fared poorest in at the ballot box last year.

Just 38% of voters approve of his performance so far, with 56% disapproving.

Even among Democrats 31% disapprove of Obama's work, a rate far higher than PPP has found in any other state. And while he's doing pretty well with independents nationally, 58% disapprove of him in the Sooner State.

To get a gauge of just how conservative Oklahoma is we also took a look at public opinion about Rush Limbaugh in the state, and asked respondents whether they think Limbaugh or Obama has a better vision for America.

Even in this reddest of states, more voters have a negative opinion of Limbaugh than a positive one, by a margin of 45-39. But when it comes to whether they think the country should head more in the direction the President envisions or the one the talk show host would like to see Limbaugh wins out 56-44. 81% of Republicans, 58% of independents, and even 29% of Democrats picked him.

Pollster Suggests Watts May Eye Senate Race

A North Carolina-based pollster, Tom Jensen of Public Policy Polling, suggested today in a KTOK interview that former Congressman J. C. Watts may be eyeing the U. S. Senate seat now held by Tom Coburn as well as the governor's race.

Jensen's comment came in an interview with the station's Reid Mullins. Jensen was discussing a new poll by his firm that shows Congresswoman Mary Fallin leading the field of candidates for governor next year. Watts, who has indicated he's considering the race, was included in the poll. Also included were Lt. Governor Jari Askins and Attorney General Drew Edmondson. Senator Randy Brogdon, a declared Republican candidate, apparently was not included in the poll.

Coburn has not yet announced if he'll seek reelection; he said on Monday he will announce his decision on June 1st. Former Governor Frank Keating reportedly has his eye on the seat if Coburn opts not to seek reelection.

Coburn's Firearms Amendment Passes House

The U. S. House today approved an amendment by Senator Tom Coburn that allows visitors to national parks to carry concealed firearms.

Coburn's amendment was attached to a controversial credit card bill. The Coburn amendment passed 279-147. The Senate approved the amendment last week.

New Poll: Fallin Leads Field, GOP Favored

From Public Policy Polling ~ Republicans will start out with an advantage in next year's contest for Governor in Oklahoma, our newest survey finds.

Mary Fallin and J.C. Watts each start out with solid leads over likely Democratic contenders Jari Askins and Drew Edmondson.

Fallin is the most popular candidate of the quartet, with 51% of voters in the state viewing her favorably.

That's followed by Watts at 46%, Edmondson at 43%, and Askins at 35%.

In head to head contests Fallin leads Edmondson 48-38 and Askins 50-34. Watts has a 47-39 edge over Edmondson and a 47-36 one over Askins.

See the entire report at http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2009/05/republicans-favored-to-take-back.html.

Keating Awaits Coburn Decision, Poised To Enter 2010 U. S. Senate Race If Coburn Opts Out

From The National Journal's Under The Influence ~ The American Council of Life Insurers could be getting a new leader later this year, depending on whether Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., decides to run for reelection in 2010.

The ACLI has quietly launched a search for a possible replacement for its current president and CEO, former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating, who is seriously considering running for the Senate if Coburn chooses not to seek a second term, according to life insurance industry sources.

Keating, a Republican who served two terms as governor from 1995 to 2003, has a contract with the ACLI that runs to January 2011. He has told leading life insurance executives that he is waiting for Coburn's decision. Coburn has confided to close associates on K Street that he is uncertain about running for reelection; he is expected to make a decision within the next few weeks.

ACLI spokesman Jack Dolan said "the search process has always begun very early" prior to the end of a CEO's contract with the trade group, and noted that Keating's contract has been extended twice. Dolan added that "Gov. Keating has been entirely transparent with the ACLI leadership. In that context, he informed them that if Sen. Coburn decides not to seek reelection he would take a hard look at running." The ACLI represents 340 life insurance companies.

Keating had a high profile in last year's presidential contest as a co-chair for John McCain's campaign. The ACLI leader pitched in with fundraising and surrogate work for McCain and also generated controversy with public comments during the waning days of the campaign. In a radio interview, Keating said that Barack Obama was trying to cover up his "extreme record" and he urged the Democratic candidate to acknowledge that he "was a guy of the street."

http://undertheinfluence.nationaljournal.com/.

OFRG Criticizes Edmondson On Term Limits

Oklahomans For Responsible Government said today that Attorney General Drew Edmondson has included "biased and misleading" language in State Question 747 and despite calls for the language to be removed, it will remain.

OFRG pointed out earlier this month that Edmondson was changing the proposed language for the ballot measure to impose term limits on statewide elected officials.

Specifically, Edmondson's version included the following sentences: It limits the ability of voters to re-elect statewide elected officers. It limits the number of years a person may serve in each statewide elected office. Now, OFRG said, despite calls for the elimination of the first sentence which is "biased and misleading, the final language has been submitted."

The only change was combining the two sentences into one: It limits the ability of voters to re-elect statewide elected officers by limiting how many years those officers can serve.

OFRG believes term limits will pass despite the "political retaliation" by Edmondson.

Its spokesman said, "Voters overwhelmingly supported legislative term limits in 1990 and polls indicate it’s a winning issue for statewide elected officials, too. It’s just a shame that the attorney general, who personally lobbied against such a measure last year, would again try to interject politics in an attempt to defeat the ballot measure by confusing voters."

Officials: No OHP Trooper Furloughs Necessary

State troopers will not face furloughs as the result of budget cuts this year thanks to an additional $2.5 million that will be directed to the Department of Public Safety, officials announced today.

“As a conservative, I believe in a constitutionally limited role for government, but public safety is clearly one of those roles,” said Rep. Randy Terrill, Moore Republican who chairs the House appropriations subcommittee on public safety. “Today’s agreement will prevent an unnecessary reduction in troop presence on our roads, which could save lives."

“It has always been our intent to avoid furloughs within DPS and keep our troopers on the road, and we have done so,” said Senator Anthony Sykes, R-Moore, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Judiciary. “I am committed to funding Public Safety as we continue in the budget process.”

“The Oklahoma House of Representatives, the Oklahoma Senate and the Governor have worked diligently to avoid cuts to the Department of Public Safety that would result in Oklahoma state troopers being furloughed,” said Roy Rogers, president of the Oklahoma State Troopers Association. “We appreciate their effort and attention to this pressing need.”

“With this $2.5 million, the department will still have to implement other cuts and there will be diminution of services of departmental personnel such as driver’s license examiners who leave the agency who won't be replaced, but this plan will prevent any furlough of troopers on the road,” said Commissioner of Public Safety Kevin Ward.

Prior to today’s announcement, the Department of Public Safety was facing a $6.3 million total budget cut, which would have required the elimination of patrol academies (which train replacements for retiring troopers), loss of money for a new Troop K headquarters in north-central Oklahoma, a $1.2 million reduction in operational expenses such as fuel (which equates to a 25 percent cumulative cut in the operational budget over the past three years), implementing a policy of attrition (leaving vacant the positions of 25 troopers expected to retire this year and potentially as many as 40 total who may leave the agency), and implementation of furlough days for each of the remaining 800 highway patrol troopers.

Now, thanks to the $2.5 million infusion, furloughs have been taken off the table and the money for a new Troop K headquarters remains in the DPS budget, Ward said.

“We will still take budget reductions that impact our operating costs, such as gasoline for patrol cars, but we will make those cuts work within this budget framework,” Ward said.

“When you take troopers off the highways, it is diminishing our ability to fulfill our mission to protect the public,” Rogers said. “We really appreciate the House, Senate and Governor for working to prevent any potential trooper furloughs.”

Fallin Honors Female Military Veterans

Congresswoman Mary Fallin joined soldiers, veterans and other members of Congress today at a wreath laying ceremony honoring women soldiers.

The ceremony was sponsored by the Congressional Caucus on Women’s Issues, which Fallin serves as co-chair.

Wright Says He'll Seek No. 2 State Office

Rep. John Wright, Broken Arrow Republican, announced today he'll seek the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor next year.

He's the third announced candidate for the office to be vacated by Lt. Governor Jari Askins, announced candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor; Senator Kenneth Corn, Poteau Democrat, announced earlier. Yukon Republican Rep. Colby Schwartz said in March he "may" seek the GOP nomination and he's considered a candidate.

Wright is term-limited in the Legislature and cannot seek reelection.

Coburn: Announcement Coming June 1st

Senator Tom Coburn says he will announce on June 1st whether he'll seek reelection.

He set that date during an appearance at the Monday Meeting, a New York gathering of conservatives.

"I may have a website up for a campaign. I don't know,'' he said. "I will make an announcement June 1 as to my intentions.''

Coburn has made no effort thus far to raise money for a reelection campaign and that has fueled speculation he may decide not to run. However, Coburn in the past has not demonstrated a great concern about raising early campaign dollars. Recent polls have shown he is popular with voters.

Duncan's Gun Rights Bill Goes To Henry

Legislation to prohibit employers from asking a potential employee if they own a firearm is one signature away from becoming law. The bill is now on Governor Henry's desk.

House Bill 1025, by Rep. Rex Duncan, is in response to President Barack Obama asking potential cabinet members if they owned or possessed a firearm, and if so, for its registration information on their background application.

“I was deeply offended by President Obama’s question. It was an infringement on Second Amendment rights, and I want to make sure no Oklahoma employers, either public or private, are allowed to ask a similar question on a job application,” said Duncan, R-Sand Springs.

Currently, there are over 80 million gun owners in the United States and Duncan said it is their right and their business.

“Exercising your constitutional rights should not be a barrier to employment in America,” Duncan said. “It’s that simple.”

Henry Signs Ten Commandments Monument Bill

Governor Henry today signed into law a measure that allows the placement of a Ten Commandments monument on the Capitol grounds.

The Senate last week gave House Bill 1330, By Rep. Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow, and Senator Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, final passage.

The monument is to be placed where there are numerous monuments, the measure said.

The bill passed despite concerns that it could draw a costly legal challenge and could be interpreted as an endorsement of a religion. Brogdon said a private law firm has offered to defend the bill on a pro bono basis if such a legal challenge occurs.

City Woman's Gunfire Sends Intruder Fleeing

KFOR-TV reports that an Oklahoma City woman, identified as being associated with the National Rifle Association, fired two shots at an intruder in her garage early today.

The television station reported the woman, who identified herself as NRA legislative liaison Heather Fitzgerald, was using her computer at a desk in her garage and had opened the garage door several feet to allow cool air into the garage. She looked up to see an intruder slide under the door. She grabbed her laser-equipped Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol and fired twice. She said she fired not to hit him, but to scare him off. The intruder, apparently not hit by the bullets, fled. Police found a piece of electronic equipment in the front yard, apparently left by the intruder in his haste to flee.

Fitzgerald said she had her laser sighted on the intruder's back, but did not fire a third shot as he fled.

Fitzgerald said she is licensed to carry a concealed firearm and always takes her pistol with her when she is working at her computer in a part of the garage she uses as a home office.

Police said that under Oklahoma law, the woman was within her rights to use deadly force against the intruder. One officer on the scene congratulated her for her quick thinking.

Rural Development Legislation Advances

Rural communities would have the ability to pool resources with other entities for economic development bond projects under legislation approved today.

“This legislation gives our rural communities greater ability to pay for economic development efforts,” said Rep. Skye McNiel, R-Bristow. “This will help many parts of rural Oklahoma attract news businesses and create new jobs.”

House Bill 2067, by McNiel, creates the Oklahoma Community Economic Development Pooled Finance Act. The legislation allows the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority (ODFA) to issue up to $100 million in bonds for joint local government projects through two new programs: the Economic Development Pool and the Infrastructure Pool.

Under the legislation, one or more government entities and for-profit businesses could pool resources to pay off bonds issued through the ODFA for economic development or infrastructure projects.

Local government entities would be allowed to capture various incentive payments to go towards repayment of bonds.

All pooled financing projects involving a municipal government would have to receive voter approval.

Did He Forget David Walters' Name?

National blogger Jim Geraghty writes there may be a reason a prominent northeastern political figure doesn't mention his work for former Oklahoma Governor David Walters: http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MDI2NzRmMWI4OWQ5NGNjZDkzZWYyZTMwZDg0OGMzMWI=

Hat tip to Michael Bates at BatesLine.

Houses Passes Comp Judges Resolution

Legislation requiring Senate confirmation of Worker’s Compensation Court judges to bring added accountability to the system passed the House today and, if the Senate approves, should soon go to a vote of the people.

House Joint Resolution 1041 would require that gubernatorial appointments to the Workers’ Compensation Court be approved by Senate confirmation.

If passed by the Senate this week, the constitutional change would be placed on the ballot for voter consideration. The resolution was prompted by Governor Henry’s veto of similar legislation, Senate Bill 609, earlier this session.

Henry Gets Energy Efficiency Initiative

Legislation encouraging state agencies to develop and implement an energy efficiency and conservation plan is headed to the governor after overwhelming House passage today.

Senate Bill 833 calls for the designation of a current employee at each agency to help develop an energy plan.

The plan must seek to reduce energy consumption, including both electrical and fuel; allow purchasing preferences for the acquisition of energy-efficient products, including Energy Star compliant appliances and alternative fuel vehicles; evaluate and utilize on-site renewable energy for space conditioning and water heating including solar water heating and geothermal heat pumps; show a preference for using alternative fuel sources like biofuels, solar, geothermal, hydrogen, compressed natural gas and wind.

FEC Records: Watts Donated To McCain Campaign

Despite controversial comments taken by some to be an endorsement of Democrat Barack Obama in last year's presidential race and a harsh criticism of the Republican Party, former Republican Congressman J. C. Watts donated to the campaign of John McCain for president.

Federal Election Commission records show that Watts, a Washington lobbyist, donated $500 to the McCain-Palin Victory 2008 committee on October 13th, 2008. Earlier, on January 8, Watts donated $1,000 to the John McCain 2008 Inc. committee, the records show.

Comments attributed to Watts by The Associated Press created the impression he was endorsing Obama last year. Watts issued a statement following the story by The AP in which he explained he was expressing his disappointment in what he said was the failure to reach out to African-Americans.

Watts said, "It has come to my attention that an Associated Press article on black conservatives indicates many are considering voting for Barack Obama for president in November. The writer refers to me and states, '(Watts) said he's thinking of voting for Obama.' That is the writer's interpretation of my statement.

"If recent polls are accurate, a large percentage of Evangelicals and minority conservatives are leaning to or have committed to Senator Obama. I am not one of them.

"Like many Republicans across the nation, I consider myself a 'free agent' this year, which is what I told the AP. Presidential candidates are going to have to work to earn my vote, and not assume it.

"I'm urging my friends and associates to follow their hearts in November. I'm hopeful, as the course of the campaign plays out, that Senator McCain will work as hard to merit our votes as he is for other voters, that he would give them reason to vote for him in November.

"The article further lists some of my concerns with the Republican Party over its lack of outreach to the black and Evangelical communities. Those concerns are true, and anyone who has spoken to me or read my writings in recent months and years should not be surprised by that position.

"But I regret to conclude that the GOP leadership -- the party I embraced and for whom I have worked diligently across the nation -- has come to place evangelicals and Republicans who are concerned about the black community, in the same boat. It seems the party leadership is taking this loyal group of voters for granted and no longer feels the need to work for our votes."

The FEC records list $21,250 in donations to federal candidates by Watts in the 2007-2008 election cycle.

SPR Tracks Oklahoma Governor's Race

By Hastings Wyman/Southern Political Report ~ While at least two earlier surveys have shown US Rep. Mary Fallin (R-OK) ahead of unannounced-but-probable contender J. C. Watts (R), a former congressman, the latest poll for next year’s GOP gubernatorial primary, taken by Wilson Research Strategies, gives Watts 39% to Fallin’s 36%, with 5% for state Sen. Randy Brogdon (R), a social conservative. Watts is expected to announce any day now. In media interviews, analysts of the Wilson poll suggest Watts gained as it began to sink in that he was likely to run. Once the only African-American Republican in Congress, Watts had high approval ratings in all the recent surveys. Meanwhile, The McCarville Report says that the records show Watts did not vote in the 2006 gubernatorial election. Watts says he sent in an absentee ballot with his wife’s ballot and doesn’t know why hers was recorded but his was not.

On The Road Again...

Democrats Elect Todd Goodman As Chairman

Todd Goodman was elected today as the new chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

Goodman, the former party field director, defeated opponents Christine Byrd and David Perry. Byrd got 145 votes, Perry 44. Goodman had 412.

Goodman succeeds Ivan Holmes, who did not seek reelection. Holmes has served for two years.

The Gadfly All Over The Wall

Family Ties: Here's another McCarville Family business, this one a gas station/grocery store in Ireland. Nice to see the family engaged in a business that isn't a bar (historically, our preferred choice).

State Budget: Thanks to federal simulus bucks, the budget cuts won't be as drastic as would have been necessary. Leaders say higher education's three percent increase should preclude tuition hikes. (Don't hold your breath.)

Cheney: Will someone please tell Dick Cheney to put a cork in it? Perhaps the former veep could take a clue from President Bush and keep his thoughts to himself.

Pelosi: Pick your cliche to describe her these days...deer in the headlights...lost in the woods.

Ryan Leonard: The Oklahoma City attorney is after the Republican nomination for attorney general and word is, he's hard at work talking to potential donors and supporters across the state. He was in Ada on Friday. He's the son of U. S. District Judge Tim Leonard, son-in-law of former Governor Frank Keating.

Wayman Tisdale: Expect an uplifting, inspirational movie about his life. Loved his basketball skills, admired his tenacity, enjoyed his music, and today, mourn his passing.

DeWayne Beggs: The former Cleveland County Sheriff (1992-2008) died this week at age 65. Beggs began his law enforcement career after leading "DeWayne And The Beldettas," a rhythm and blues band that hit the Top 10 in the 1960s with its recording of "Tennessee Stud."

It's A Tie: In Pauls Valley, voters contemplate the importance of every vote as the winner in a hot city council race will now be determined by a drawing since opponents Tim Gamble, the sitting mayor, and Kevin Stark tied at 321 votes each.

The Verdict: This Sunday's guest on the Kent Meyers/Mick Cornett interview show is the U. S. Marshall for the Western District, Mike Roach. Coming up: 5/24/09, Legalization of Drugs Revisited with guests John Coyle, Oklahoma City attorney, and Mike McCarville, former talk show host, blogger, political pundit and investor; 5/31/09, Prosecutorial Misconduct with guests David Prater, Oklahoma County District Attorney, and Robert McCampbell, former U. S. Attorney for the Western District. The show airs on Cox Cable Channel 7 at 9 a.m. Sundays and repeats throughout the week.

State Leaders Announce Budget Agreement

State leaders have agreed on a $7.2 billion budget that uses federal stimulus dollars to avoid drastic cuts.

The budget projects a 7 percent cut in state appropriations, or $494 million less than in 2009, the current fiscal year.

House Appropriations and Budget Committee Chairman Ken Miller, R-Edmond, said the budget agreement means there will be no widespread consumer fee increases, no rollback in prior tax cuts, no tax increases and no tapping into the state's "rainy day" fund.

The agreement means that tax cuts won't happen.

The budget agreement likely means the Legislature will adjourn by May 22, a week early.

The agreement apparently means that common education, health care, public safety and transportation elements of the budget won't be cut. Higher education, in fact, is slated for a 3 percent increase, about $32 million.

The Gadfly Praises Oklahoma's Vo-Tech System

Forty years ago, I was privileged to be a small part of then-Governor Dewey F. Bartlett's emphasis on Oklahoma's system of vocational-technical education as a means of providing trained, skilled workers. Like Governor Henry Bellmon before him, Bartlett recognized the value of training some students for the workplace upon high school graduation and I recall in detail the many meetings I attended with Governor Bartlett, Dr. Francis Tuttle, Jay Casey and Jim Trickett as ideas for the system's expansion were discussed. Elected in 1966, Bartlett committed himself to becoming Oklahoma’s “job-gettingest” governor ever and resolved to make the vocational education system a major force in his crusade for economic expansion.

Now, all these years later, I have witnessed the second vo-tech success story in my own family.

A few years back, resident grandson Michael enrolled in an automotive repair course at the Mid-Del Technology Center in Midwest City while he was a Carl Albert High School student. With his training and through the center's contacts, Michael applied for a part time job as a mechanic at Tinker Air Force Base. He was successful and upon graduation, was given a full time job as a fuel systems specialist on the Air Force's big birds at Tinker. A few months shy of his 18th birthday, Michael had a solid, well-paying job. He's since continued his education, earning his associate's degree from Rose State College.

Last night, we family members witnessed the Mid-Del Technology Center graduation ceremony that included 19-year-old granddaughter Faye, a graduate of the center's health careers certification program. Faye's been a student at the center for two years while attending Del City High School. Within the past year, her training and the center's contacts paid off with a job offer from one of the top nursing homes in Midwest City, where she now works as a certified nursing assistant. She seems well on her way to a health care career.

While it is likely these two bright young people would have landed on their feet without their vo-tech training, it surely would have taken them longer to do so, and the job offerings might not have been the quality of those they landed. Thanks to their training, and the excellent reputation the Mid-Del Technology Center has earned as a career program developer, they moved from high school to the workplace without missing a beat.

A tip of my hat today to the vision of Dewey Bartlett and Francis Tuttle, to the state's vo-tech system in general, to the Mid-Del Technology Center in particular and to the thousands of young Oklahomans who have benefited from the training they received, their lives enriched by the opportunity.

Senate, House Clear Lawsuit Reform Bill

The State Senate and House today passed a comprehensive lawsuit reform bill that represents an agreement with lawmakers, business advocates, doctors, mineral owners and trial lawyers. The measure now goes to Governor Henry for action.

House leaders said the deal will reduce the number of frivolous lawsuits in Oklahoma, which will help lower health care costs for all Oklahomans, recruit and retain Oklahoma doctors and bring more cost certainty to businesses in our state, especially small companies.

“The collaboration that occurred between all interested parties to reach this landmark agreement is exactly the type of work the people of Oklahoma expect from their leaders,” said House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa. “This deal is a compromise, which means everyone didn’t get everything they wanted, but it represents true reform for our state.”

Under the compromise, House Bill 1603 will contain the following major provisions:

Vague noneconomic damages (so-called “pain and suffering” awards) would be capped at $400,000 outside of exceptional circumstances. In rare cases where the cap is lifted, any amount greater than $400,000 could be paid with a reinsurance policy the state would purchase. The bill creates a task force that will study the details of the policy and payment options prior to implementation.

The reinsurance policy would pay up to $20 million a year to injured Oklahomans in exceptional circumstances of gross negligence or severe disfigurement. It is estimated such a policy would cost less than $1 million annually for the additional protection. In order to have access to the reinsurance policy, doctors are required by the legislation to carry at least $1 million in medical liability insurance, which covers the majority malpractice cases. There is currently no state minimum requirement for insurance coverage.

“This change places the burden on doctors to carry higher levels of insurance to further protect injured Oklahomans, but also adds some certainty to the system in rare catastrophic cases,” said Rep. Dan Sullivan, House author of HB 1603 and the bill’s chief negotiator from the House.

The policy is a unique agreement that gives physicians a hard cap for medical liability insurance purposes but allows Oklahomans who have extenuating circumstances to receive awards above the cap.

As a result of that compromise, insurers will be able to sell medical liability insurance to doctors at lower rates because they won’t have to build up enormous reserves to cover the rare “jackpot” award that would otherwise bankrupt the company.

One of the main reasons doctor’s insurance currently costs so much is the impact of frivolous lawsuits – even though 70 percent of medical liability claims were dismissed between 2004 and 2007, Oklahoma’s major doctor’s insurance company spent $50 million defending those cases.

That cost should be significantly reduced following passage of House Bill 1603, allowing for cheaper insurance policies to be sold to doctors.

In turn, those lower insurance rates will make it easier to attract doctors to currently underserved areas of Oklahoma, particularly rural communities. Today, women all across Oklahoma often have to drive to Oklahoma City or Tulsa to deliver a baby because few local doctors will perform that service due to litigation threat and high insurance rates.

“Doctor and nurse shortages are a serious problem in Oklahoma. We have some of the best physician training in the country, but other states are stealing our doctors away,” said Rep. Doug Cox, an emergency room doctor in Grove. “We are training—often with taxpayer dollars—doctors who are being recruited to lawsuit reform-friendly states, it is a fact. This bill will give those physicians a chance to practice in this state.”

House Bill 1603 also contains other reforms. In the area of class-action lawsuits, court shopping for class-action suits would be restricted, and attorney fees could be reviewed. The bill also requires an expert to certify that a professional negligence case has merit before it can proceed. That requirement would be waived for plaintiffs who cannot afford the costs associated with finding an expert.

Senator Jay Paul Gumm said he's pleased that a tort reform provision he had authored for several years was included in the lawsuit reform bill. The provision would prevent a gun manufacturer from being sued if their product was used in the commission of a crime.

“These are products that are legally manufactured and owned, and it just makes good sense to make sure this liability protection is part of our state law,” Gumm said. “We’ve come close to getting this proposal to the governor’s desk in the past, only to see it fall victim to politics. I’m very optimistic about its chances this year.”

The Democrat from Durant said most firearm manufacturing facilities are located in states hostile to gun ownership. In contrast, Gumm pointed out most Oklahomans are strong advocates of the 2nd Amendment right to own firearms.

“Whether it is for hunting or for self-protection, owning firearms is part of Oklahoma’s heritage and culture,” Gumm said. “In addition, we have one of the best gunsmith programs in the nation at Murray State College.”

Gumm said firearm manufacturing is a multi-billion dollar industry with high-paying jobs. Tort reform protecting manufacturers coupled with the program at Murray State College would give Oklahoma a greater edge in attracting those jobs.

“I’m excited about the possibility we have to attract an important manufacturing facility to our state. The jobs and revenue such a facility would create would ultimately benefit all of Oklahoma.”

World: Watts More Interested In Texas?

From The Tulsa World Editorial Page ~ Former U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts may be thinking about running for governor of Oklahoma, but some of his recent activities suggest he's more interested in representing Texas interests.

It came to light recently that Watts' Washington-based lobbying firm has been representing the Tarrant Regional Water District since late 2007.

The Tarrant group, recently joined by the city of Dallas, has sued the state of Oklahoma, seeking to overturn a moratorium blocking out-of-state water sales.

A spokesman for Watts' firm said its staff isn't involved in the Oklahoma water dispute, but a spokesman for the water district said Watts' firm has "helped us understand the dynamics of water resource issues in Oklahoma."

Watts' involvement on behalf of the Texans isn't the only curious wrinkle in this long-running battle over what happens to Oklahoma's water resources. This week, legislative leaders have been engaging in intense and increasingly frantic talks in an effort to come up with legislation addressing out-of-state water requests.

Senate Votes To Change Tag Agent System

The State Senate has given bipartisan approval to President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee's Senate Bill 888 that would end the Senate's present tag agency patronage system.

Coffee’s bill would prohibit lawmakers from recommending tag agents to the Tax Commission.

Historically, senators have suggested those individuals they thought should be named as tag agents. Under Coffee’s legislation, the Commission will directly appoint the agents.

Boren Co-sponsors Military Voting Act

Congressman Dan Boren, D-2nd District, a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, joined Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) today as the lead Democratic co-sponsor of H.R.2393, or the Military Voting Protection Act of 2009.

By allowing the U.S. Postal Service to express-ship troops’ absentee ballots, the legislation would help ensure the ballots are delivered to local election offices back home in time to be counted.

Senator Jim Inhofe is a Senate co-sponsor of the legislation.

Gumm, Senate Honor Choctaw Nation

The Choctaw Nation was honored by the Oklahoma State Senate today for its outstanding support of the National Guard and Reserve as well as veterans.

Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, was author of Senate Resolution 48, praising the tribe which was the recipient of the 2008 Pro Patria Award—the highest honor bestowed for support of military men and women.

The Choctaw Nation was also awarded the 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.

Henry Files Turpen Regents Nomination

Governor Henry has filed his nomination of former Attorney General Mike Turpen to the Board of Regents for Higher Education, a Henry spokesman confirmed today.

Senate confirmation is required; as reported yesterday by The McCarville Report Online, it is expected the nomination will clear the Senate with word that the Republican leadership has agreed to approve it despite Turpen's presence as an activist Democratic spokesman.

Coburn's U. S. Parks Gun Amendment Advances

The U.S. Senate has approved legislation by Senator Tom Coburn that would allow licensed individuals to carry loaded firearms into national parks and wildlife refuges in states that permit concealed carrying of guns. Oklahoma permits concealed carry in its state parks.

The vote was 67-29 and came on an amendment offered to a bill aimed at curbing certain practices by the credit card industry.

"If an American citizen has a right to carry a firearm in their state, it makes no sense to treat them like a criminal if they pass through a national park while in possession of a firearm,” Coburn said.

Under existing law, visitors to national parks and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands currently must have their firearms unloaded or packed away.

Fallin Rips ACLU Over Detainee Abuse Photos

Congresswoman Mary Fallin today participated in a forum investigating the consequences surrounding the potential release of photos depicting detainee abuse in the War on Terror and after it ripped the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) for "pursuing an agenda that serves no purpose other than to give aid and comfort to our enemies."

The photos may eventually be released in response to a Freedom of Information Act request from the ACLU. Although the Justice Department had initially signaled it would hand over the photos without contesting the request, an unnamed administration spokesman said today the White House now opposes their release.

The forum was attended by other members of Congress and included testimony from Tom Korologos, Former Ambassador to Belgium and expert in outreach to Muslim and Arab communities; Mark Pfeifle, Former Deputy National Security Advisor; and David Rehbein, National Commander of the American Legion

Following the forum, Fallin said, “The ACLU is currently pursuing an agenda that serves no other purpose than to give aid and comfort to our enemies. Releasing these pictures will help no one except the leaders of groups like Al Qaeda, who will gain a powerful new recruiting tool and a new source of anti-American hate.

“No one is condoning prisoner abuse. In fact, the Pentagon is taking appropriate steps to punish the very small number of troops who might have participated in such misconduct and to ensure no further instances occur. We can pursue justice, however, without releasing images that will surely be used as a weapon against the United States.

“It is mindboggling that the ACLU could be so indifferent to the success of the two wars we are currently fighting, our national security and our diplomatic efforts, particularly in the Middle East. The warped vision of the constitutional process championed by their liberal army of lawyers and lobbyists does not represent the best interests of this nation, nor do their views represent those of mainstream Americans. The testimony of our expert witnesses today, all of whom oppose the release of these photographs, has strengthened my belief that the ACLU is pursuing an agenda that will make Americans less safe.”

Source: Turpen Due Higher Education Seat

Former Oklahoma Attorney General and former Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Mike Turpen, a Capitol source says late today, will be named to the Board of Regents for Higher Education, replacing Cheryl Hunter.

The source says Governor Henry has "cut a deal" with the Republican Senate leadership to assure Turpen's confirmation.

Turpen, known for his close ties to former President Bill and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, is the Democratic voice on KFOR-TV's long-running "Flash Point" program.

McIntosh County: No Record Of Watts' Vote In 2006 Governor's Race But He Says He Voted Absentee

Examination of the voting records of the five announced and potential candidates for governor next year shows that one of them, former Congressman J. C. Watts, apparently did not vote in the 2006 general election for governor.

At least that's what the record shows. However, Watts insists through spokesman Chad Alexander that he did vote, and he and his wife, Frankie, completed their absentee ballots and mailed them together. Her ballot is shown as having been received, while his is not.

Watts, who registered to vote in McIntosh County on June 28, 2004, listing a rural address a few miles outside his hometown of Eufaula, always votes by absentee ballot, county election board records show.

The records show he voted once in 2006, in the July 25th Republican primary. But there's no record that he voted in the general election, in which Congressman Ernest Istook was pitted against incumbent Governor Brad Henry, a race Henry easily won. Two calls were made to the McIntosh County Election Board to confirm that no record exists of a Watts vote in the general election and Alexander said today he also spoke with the election board and confirms there's no record of Watts' absentee ballot having been received.

Watts has not yet announced he's a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor, but he is expected to do so soon. He is now a Washington lobbyist.

Records in Stephens County show that Democrat Jari Askins, lieutenant governor who is an announced candidate for her party's nomination for governor, registered to vote at her current address in Duncan on October 20, 1971. She has voted at least 67 times. In 2006, the record shows, she voted on February 14th, April 4th, July 25th, August 22nd and November 7th.

Records in Tulsa County show that Republican Randy Brogdon, state senator who is an announced candidate for his party's nomination for governor, registered to vote at his current address in Owasso on August 13th, 1980. He has voted at least 38 times. In 2006, the record shows, he voted on July 25th, August 22nd and November 7th.

Records in Oklahoma County show that Democrat Drew Edmondson, attorney general who has not yet announced he is a candidate for his party's nomination for governor but is expected to do so, registered to vote at his current address on December 18th, 2005. He has voted at least 10 times; he was a regular voter at his previous address as well. In 2006, the record shows, he voted on March 7th, May 9th, July 25th, August 22nd and November 7th.

Records in Oklahoma County show that Republican Mary Fallin, congresswoman who is an announced candidate for her party's nomination for governor, registered to vote at her current address on October 24th, 1986. She has voted at least 63 times. In 2006, the record shows, she voted on March 7th, July 25th, August 22nd and November 7th.

Henry Nears Veto Record With Two New Ones

With his vetoes of two bills on Tuesday, Governor Henry is one veto shy of tying his previous veto record of 13 in a legislative session. He has now vetoed 12 measures this year.

One measure Henry vetoed, Senate Bill 1600, would have mandated restrictions on injured workers.

He also vetoed Senate Bill 934 that would have dictated which drugs could be prescribed under the Medicaid program.

In his veto message, Henry said SB1600, the injured worker bill, is bad policy and would have unintended consequences.

Soon: Vote History Of Gubernatorial Hopefuls

How often have the announced and potential candidates for governor voted in elections? Soon, The McCarville Report Online examines the voting histories of Jari Askins, Randy Brogdon, Drew Edmondson, Mary Fallin and J. C. Watts.

Inhofe Joins Effort To Help Military Voters

Senator Jim Inhofe, a ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, is a co-sponsor of the Military Voting Protection Act of 2009 introduced today by Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas).

The legislation attempts to reduce delays in the current absentee voting process for overseas troops by allowing the U.S. Postal Service to express-ship their completed absentee ballots to local election offices.

The bill amends the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986 (UOCAVA) and ensures that the ballots are delivered to the appropriate state election officials by the jurisdiction’s statutory deadline, while safeguarding voter privacy and ballot secrecy.

The bill would apply to all regularly scheduled general elections for federal office, beginning with the November 2010 election.

Brogdon? Fallin? Watts? Take Your Pick!

The McCarville Report Online's new poll, this one of the Republican primary for governor next year, includes former Congressman J. C. Watts, who has not yet announced he's a candidate but is expected to do so soon. You'll find the poll near the bottom of this page on the right side.

Meacham: State Revenue Continues Slump

From The Treasurer's Office ~ Oklahoma’s continued participation in the national recession is reflected in April revenue reports as collections again dropped below the prior year and failed to meet estimates, State Treasurer Scott Meacham said today.

Preliminary reports show general revenue fund collections for April were $513.4 million.

That amount is $141.3 million or 21.6 percent below the prior year; and $137 million or 21.1 percent below the estimate.

For the first 10 months of the fiscal year, collections total $4.72 billion. That is $107.9 million or 2.2 percent below the prior year and $171.4 million or 3.5 percent below the estimate.

“The April numbers were not particularly good. We experienced lower income tax, motor vehicle and gross production collections that are reflective of the national recession and its continued effects in Oklahoma,” Meacham said. “We did see some bright news this month as sales tax collections were higher than the same month last year.”

Meacham said the trend with falling revenue collections now appears to be deeper than Tax Commission projections presented in February and the margin to avoid a revenue shortfall in the final month of the fiscal year has become very thin.

Istook: Census To Include Fictitious People?

Left-leaning groups want to include millions of pretend people in the real-life 2010 Census, former Congressman Ernest Istook writes today in a Human Events column. It almost happened in 2000, he writes. "This time, they might get their way. The administration claims it has 'no plans' to use statistical sampling to augment the actual headcount next year by adding millions of fictitious people. Not everyone believes this.

"Conservatives worry that, having learned from the failure of Bill Clinton’s high-profile push for census sampling, the administration has adopted a stealth approach."

Istook explains at http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=31819.

Poll: It Would Be A Fallin-Watts Horse Race

A new statewide poll to be released today shows that if former Congressman J. C. Watts joins Congresswoman Mary Fallin and Senator Randy Brogdon in the race for the Republican nomination for governor, Fallin and Watts would be in a horse race.

The poll, conducted by Wilson Research Strategies of 500 likely GOP primary voters from May 7th to May 9th, "indicates a very tight race for the Republican nomination for Governor," the analysis reports. "Former Congressman and Corporation Commissioner J.C. Watts leads Congresswoman Mary Fallin 39% to 36% if the Republican primary election for Governor were held today. Randy Brogdon receives five percent (5%) support."

Fallin, the poll shows, leads Watts in three of the state's five congressional districts, including the one Watts previously represented in Congress.

The poll shows Watts leading Fallin in "Congressional District 1 (52% for Watts to 19% for Fallin), CD 2 (41% to 17%) and in the Tulsa Media Market overall (50% to 17%). Fallin does lead in CD 4 (43% versus 34%) and CD 5 (53% to 29%). In CD 3, Fallin narrowly leads Watts 42% to 37%."

The poll was not taken for any of the candidates, a WRS spokesman said.

The WRS findings conflict with a previous poll by Fallin's pollster, The Tarrance Group of Washington. That poll found Fallin leading Watts 45.3 percent 25.9 percent. Brogdon, of Owasso, got 5 percent. The poll found Fallin leading Watts by about 18 percent in the 4th District and by more than 20 percent in Oklahoma City's 5th District.

The WRS poll analysis notes the previous poll by The Tarrance Group: "Early trends in a primary campaign like this one can also give us important information about the course of the race. In this case we can examine trend between our results and the results of a survey conducted by the Tarrance Group on behalf of the Fallin campaign which was released publicly on April 28. The Tarrance Group survey showed Fallin leading Watts 48% to 36% despite J.C. Watts having higher favorable ratings than Mary Fallin (79% favorable for Watts versus 77% for Fallin). This discrepancy between the ballot and the candidates’ relative favorable ratings was unusual. A 46% vote conversion rate in the Tarrance survey for J.C. Watts may indicate that many Republican primary voters had not yet begun to consider him as a gubernatorial candidate. His personal popularity was not translated into votes among an electorate who had not thought of him as a candidate before the survey. On the other hand, Mary Fallin’s 62% vote conversion rate is more indicative of being the only well-known candidate in a primary, reinforcing the idea that voters had not yet considered J.C. Watts a candidate. As Republican primary voters have become acquainted with the idea of J.C. Watts running for Governor, his support has grown to 39% and Fallin’s has declined to 36%. This fifteen point swing is consistent with J.C. Watts’ edge in favorable ratings and shows that this is now a two-candidate race in the minds of most voters."

One pro-Fallin analyst, given the district-by-district results of the WRS poll, said the two most important districts are the 4th and the 5th, where Fallin and Watts are about equal in name identification. He said that if the results in the 4th and 5th Districts are accurate, "JC needs to be given a reality check on his 'Republicans not happy with the candidates' quote because they may very well have been talking about him and not her."

A Watts supporter and veteran GOP official said the Tulsa area results "should trouble Mary and her troops. That's a scary number in the state's second-largest media market."

Other previous polls have found Fallin with a substantial lead over Watts, who has not yet announced if he'll get into the race. Sources told The McCarville Report Online on Monday that he will announce this week.

Is Watts About To Announce In Governor's Race?

There's word today from multiple sources that former 4th District Congressman J. C. Watts, now a Washington lobbyist, is about to enter the 2010 governor's race.

Watts has said for weeks he'll make a decision by Memorial Day. If he gets into the race for the Republican nomination, he'll join Congresswoman Mary Fallin and State Senator Randy Brogdon of Owasso, both of whom already have announced.

In what appears to be a coincidence, word that Watts may be about to enter the race comes at the same time as word there's a new statewide poll that will be released on Tuesday showing that if Watts does enter the race, he will be in a competitive position with Fallin, considered the front-runner for the nomination.

"He's at 95 percent (to run)," said one source in a position to know.

Fallin's pollster, The Tarrance Group in Washington, earlier distributed a memo to supporters showing Fallin in the lead. The late April poll showed Fallin preferred among registered Republicans with 45.3 percent of the vote to 25.9 percent for Watts. Brogdon, of Owasso, got 5 percent.

A SoonerPoll released earlier this month showed Fallin at 48 percent, Watts at 34 percent.

Democrats Jari Askins, lieutenant governor, and Drew Edmondson, attorney general, are the top Democrats. Askins has announced, Edmondson has not.

Lawmakers Stand Up For Gun Rights

Oklahoma legislators today voiced bipartisan opposition to federal efforts to impose a regime of national gun registration and licensure.

House Concurrent Resolution 1032, by Rep. John Enns (pictured), urges Congress to “oppose and defeat” the Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009.

“Oklahomans have a constitutional right to possess guns for both hunting and personal protection,” said Enns, R-Enid.

“For Congress to infringe upon that right with so-called licensure requirements makes as much sense as outlawing everything but state-run newspapers. I am pleased my colleagues, both Republican and Democrat, agree that our constitutional rights should be protected.”

The resolution notes the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the rights of citizens to own firearms and that U.S. House Resolution 45, referred to as “Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009,” would make it a federal felony to possess a firearm without a license.

The federal legislation would also allow felony charges against crime victims who do not report the theft of a weapon with three days.

“The idea that the government would bring felony charges against people whose home has been robbed is insane,” Enns said.

House Concurrent Resolution 1032 passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on an 86-9 vote today. It now proceeds to the Senate.

Henry Gets Ten Commandments Monument Bill

The Ten Commandments Monument legislation is on Governor Henry’s desk after receiving final approval from the Senate today.

Online Poll: Brogdon Takes The Lead

Senator Randy Brogdon has surged ahead in The McCarville Report Online's unscientific poll of the governor's race.

Congresswoman Mary Fallin was ahead in the early voting, with 58 percent; she has fallen to 24 percent while Brogdon has surged from 20 percent to 62 percent with about 330 total votes cast thus far.

Brogdon's surge followed posts on several pro-Brogdon blogs about the poll. Our poll's analytics show most of Brogdon's votes are coming from a handful of addresses.

Lt. Governor Jari Askins was at 17 percent and is now at 10 percent. Attorney General Drew Edmondson was at 5 percent and has the same percentage today.

The poll asks, "If the candidates for governor are Askins, Brogdon, Edmondson and Fallin, who wins?" The still-active poll can be found by scrolling down on the right side of this page.

Lawsuit Reform Package Agreement Seen

House and Senate Republican leaders claim today agreement has been reached on what they say is a landmark comprehensive lawsuit reform package.

"I believe we can now say Oklahoma is open for business," said Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.

The agreement follows long discussions that did not include Governor Brad Henry; those involved said he has been kept posted on the details of the negotiations.

In a statement, Henry called the bill "perhaps the most comprehensive tort bill in state history" and said it is similar to the compromise proposal he made in 2007 but was unable to reach a consensus for. "I will be reviewing the measure in greater detail in the days to come, but based on my initial reading of it, I believe this is a strong piece of reform legislation," he said.

Among the bill's changes are a redefining of what constitutes a frivolous lawsuit and strengthening of summary judgment rules to make it easier for a judge to dismiss a lawsuit that has no merit before it goes to trial.

The bill also makes changes to joint and several liability guidelines in which an injured person can recover all his damages from any defendant regardless of their individual share of the liability.

It reinstates a certificate of merit requirement for injured people who want to file professional malpractice lawsuits but broadens it beyond a similar rule that was ruled unconstitutional by the Oklahoma Supreme Court in 2006. That measure dealt exclusively with medical malpractice lawsuits and the high court said it was an unconstitutional special law.

It also ruled the requirement that a medical malpractice claimant obtain a professional's opinion at a cost of up to $5,000 was an unconstitutional monetary barrier to the courts.

The latest proposal requires certificates in any lawsuit alleging professional negligence by physicians, attorneys, accountants and others, a requirement vetoed by Henry last year. Those who cannot afford the cost of a certificate can obtain one for free under existing pauper guidelines, officials said.

The measure would cap non-economic damages, also known as pain and suffering, at $400,000 but allow a judge or jury to waive the cap in cases of gross negligence or catastrophic injury. Supporters had originally wanted a cap of $300,000 with no waiver guidelines.

The bill requires the state to explore the purchase of a $20 million insurance policy by May 1, 2011, to create an indemnity fund for non-economic damages in excess of $400,000.

It also makes a variety of changes to class-action lawsuit guidelines but does not include a proposal opposed by mineral owners that would require them to "opt-in" to class-action lawsuits to become eligible to recoup unpaid royalties. Under existing law, class members are automatically included in a class-action lawsuit unless they notify the court they want to "opt out."

Some details from www.tulsaworld.com.

Fields Pays To Settle Former Employee's Lawsuit

The Oklahoman's Nolan Clay reports today that Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields has settled a federal lawsuit which accused him of forcing a Republican employee out of his office because of her political beliefs. The former Labor Department asbestos official, Laurie Allen, is being paid to drop the civil case. How much was not disclosed.

Read the entire story at http://www.newsok.com/.

Noted Quote: Mark Shannon On J. C. Watts

"...I 'm not looking for a 'hired gun' based on money, not principles, for Governor.... And that appears to be exactly what J.C. Watts has become. J.C. should stick with being a lobbyist. Oklahoma needs someone that appears more principled and more dedicated to conservative principles to run this state's government." ~ Radio talk show host and blogger Mark Shannon

Noted Quote: MyTake On J. C. Watts

"I am not saying this constitutes a conflict of interest on the part of J.C. Watts, but I do think it bears a closer examination. We have seen an increase in the influence of lobbyists on Washington politics and I am not at all sure we need to see that influence transferred to state politics, either in Oklahoma or any other state." ~ MyTake

Lobbyist J. C. Watts Paid $180,000 By Texas Water Group Suing Oklahoma Over Water Rights

Washington lobbyist J. C. Watts, the former 4th District congressman contemplating a bid for the Republican nomination for governor next year, has been paid $180,000 by a Texas group that is suing Oklahoma for the right to purchase water that flows through the state. That disclosure comes as Republican leaders in the Legislature fight the lawsuit to prevent the Tarrant Regional Water District from getting the water free of charge. House Speaker Chris Benge said, "We're just trying to make sure that we don't end up having to give water to Texas and protect Oklahomans' interests."

The Oklahoman's Chris Casteel has the story at http://www.newsok.com/conflict-flows-from-water-use/article/3368200?custom_click=lead_story_title.

Read a companion story about the conflict at http://newsok.com/article/3368193.

Poll: If The Candidates For Governor Are...

Our totally unscientific online poll of candidates in the 2010 gubernatorial race continues as Congresswoman Mary Fallin leads in the early voting.

Our poll asks, "If the candidates for governor are Jari Askins, Randy Brogdon, Drew Edmondson and Mary Fallin, who wins?"

Thus far, Fallin leads with 58 percent. Brogdon, the second Republican in the poll, has 20 percent. Democrats Askins and Edmondson have 17 percent and 5 percent, respectively.

The poll is on the right side of this page; scroll down to find it and cast your vote.

Brogdon's Neighbors Donate To Campaign

Senator Randy Brogdon's campaign for the Republican nomination for governor is being fueled, in part, by his neighbors in his hometown of Owasso, his campaign finance report for the first quarter shows.

Of the $22,700 Brogdon raised for his campaign in a relatively short period, at least $3,500 of the contributions listed by name came from eight Owasso residents.

Brogdon, one of two announced candidates (Congresswoman Mary Fallin also has announced) for the GOP nomination, received large donations from Tulsa investor Lloyd Noble II ($5,000) and Mustang publisher Richard Engle ($4,750).

Other donors include Charles Helscel of Owasso, $1,000; Gordon Cummings of Owasso, $1,000; Bob Davis of Owasso, $500; Thomas Kimball of Owasso, $1,000; Neal Jackson of Tulsa, $1,000; Jon Lantz of Tulsa, $1,000; and David Atkinson of Tulsa, $1,000.

Brogdon's report shows only a single expenditure, $300, for maintenance of his campaign website.

Bush Schedules Woodward Appearance

Former President George W. Bush will be in Woodward during its "Let Freedom Ring" celebration over the 4th of July weekend. It apparently will be Bush's first visit to Oklahoma since he left office.

A spokesman for the Woodward Tourism and Convention Bureau said Bush will speak at the dedication of Crystal Beach Park, which has undergone major renovations for its 80th anniversary.

Our Tax Dollars Cruise Argentina Gay Bars

From Fox News ~ Government researchers are spending more than $400,000 in U. S. taxpayer money to hit the bars in Argentina.

The National Institutes of Health are paying researchers to cruise six bars in Buenos Aires to find out why gay men engage in risky sexual behavior while drunk -- and just what can be done about it.

Doctors and specialists from the New York Psychiatric Institute are using the generous grant from NIH's National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to help tailor HIV prevention programs to work at bars and clubs.

Read the entire story at http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/08/government-funds-study-gay-sex-argentina-bars/.

Hugo Republican Eyes Congressional Seat

From www.muskogeepolitico.blogspot.com ~ Howard Houchen of Hugo has confirmed that he is "seriously considering a run for the U.S. Congress" District 2 seat now held by Democrat Dan Boren.

Houchen, a Republican, has a bachelors degree in political science and a masters in National Security Studies with an extensive international and small business background.

Fallin: 'Little bit insulted' By Watts' Comments

By Jerry Bohnen/NewsRadio 1000 KTOK ~ As an already-announced candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor, U.S. Representative Mary Fallin indicated Thursday she didn't like what former Congressman J.C. Watts said about the field of candidates to date.

"I was a little bit insulted when he said there were no quality candidates in the race for governor," said Fallin in an interview on KTOK's First News with Reid Mullins.

"I spent a lot of time, investing my time and effort to represent the state, but he's a great friend." Fallin laughed as she made the reference to the insult.

It was Wednesday when reporters interviewed Watts, who is exploring the possibility of running against Fallin and Owasso State Senator Randy Brogdon in the bid for the GOP nomination.

When pressed about his "quality" comment, Watts said it's what voters have told him. "I think that's their concern. Does that mean that we don't have good candidates? I'm not saying that."

Watts went on to say he didn't mean to be "ungracious to anybody" or "disrespectful or anything."

BCS Series Pays Lobbyist Watts $620,000

By Daniel Libit/Politico ~ J.C. Watts has won at every level in sports and politics in Oklahoma — he was a beloved quarterback for the Sooners in the late 1970s, brought home two Orange Bowl victories and later became a popular Republican congressman from his home state.

But his latest position may be tougher than running the wishbone offense against Texas or schooling Democratic politicians in Oklahoma: He’s the lobbyist for the much-maligned Bowl Championship Series.

The job — which has paid Watts’ firm $620,000 over the past five years — involves defending the BCS against a flurry of politicians who want to tear down the quirky system for determining college football’s national champion. Recently, this controversy has produced a congressional hearing, and even President Barack Obama has jumped into the fray, saying he would prefer a playoff to the current system.

Read it all at http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22200.html.

Inhofe Files Official English Bill

Senator Jim Inhofe today introduced the National Language Act of 2009, legislation that calls on the federal government to preserve and enhance the role of English as the national language.

It clarifies that there is no entitlement to receive federal documents and services in languages other than English, unless required by statutory law, recognizing decades of unbroken court opinions that civil rights laws protecting against national origin discrimination do not create rights to government services and materials in languages other than English.

Inhofe’s bill would make English the national language of the United States government, a status in law it has not previously had. Furthermore, the legislation clarifies that there is no entitlement to receive federal documents and services in languages other than English, unless required by statutory law.

Official English Measure Clears Legislature

Oklahomans will vote next year on the opportunity to make English the official language of state government following final House passage of legislation today.

“As our common language, English and the ‘melting pot’ process it makes possible has made the United States the most successful multi-ethnic nation in history,” said Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore. “This legislation will reinforce our nation’s unity and help end the drift toward linguistic Balkanization."

House Joint Resolution 1042, by Terrill and Senator Anthony Sykes, recognizes that English is Oklahoma’s common and unifying language, and declares that all official actions of the state must be conducted in English. It also bars individuals from suing the state to have services provided in languages other than English.

Under the provisions of the legislation, private individuals and businesses will still be allowed to use whatever language they choose. Only official government business would be affected.

The bill also contains specific provisions protecting the “use, study, development, or encouragement” of any Native American language, including the languages used by Oklahoma’s 39 federally recognized Native American tribes.

Jolley Rips 'Character Assassination Plot'

After witnessing an independent videographer in the Senate TV gallery tracking the movements of Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee yesterday, Assistant Senate Majority Floor Leader Clark Jolley expressed disappointment that the "character assassination plot" against the Pro Tempore apparently isn’t over.

The videographer was staking out the Pro Tem, capturing footage of the Senate Leader’s empty desk as he was working away from the Senate floor on Tuesday.

"Anyone who holds even the most minimal knowledge of the operations of the Legislature understands that the President Pro Tem, the Speaker of the House, and others in key leadership positions have multiple meetings every day, even during session," Jolley added.

"This has been standard practice from Day One, for both Democrat and Republican leaders in both Houses. They simply have too many responsibilities to be tethered to their desk on the floor all day every day.

"The Pro Tem is involved in critical negotiations on major initiatives, as well as meeting with a multitude of people with interest before the state, and that has been the case with every Pro Tem in state history," he continued.

"I fully expect the shadowy group paying this political hit man is planning on using video of an empty desk in a new round of television commercials, certain to be as dishonest and inflammatory as the first rounds were," he said.

"They can’t win at the ballot box or in the legislative process, so they’ve resorted to an expensive campaign of character assassination and the politics of personal destruction. It’s time for someone to call them into account and put an end to their deception," Jolley continued.

"If the opposition’s calls for transparency are sincere, they should disclose who is paying this individual to shoot misleading video for their partisan purposes," Jolley asked. "At least we now know what the next political hit will be against Pro Tem Coffee.

"If these partisan political hacks choose to use this disingenuous video to continue their crusade against Senator Coffee, their tactics will have stooped below the disgusting level they have already achieved," Jolley concluded.

The Gadfly Hits The Wall

Obama's Recession? Radio/TV talker Sean Hannity regularly refers to the "Obama recession." Locally, a former Republican legislator makes the same reference. While President Obama, now past the 100-day mark in office, deserves lots of derisive labels for some of his decisions and criticism for staffing the government with way-out lefties and his plans for dealing with the recession, it is beyond a stretch to label the recession as his. Recessions are like ocean liners (trite cliche coming now); takes a long time for them to turn and a long time for them to turn again. Truth is it began on George Bush's watch and it's been like (trite cliche again) a snowball rolling downhill for at least eight months.

Media Hysteria: It's as if our neighbors are dropping dead on their doorsteps by the hour. The news media hysteria over the "swine flu" is beyond silly. And when the first diagnosed case in Oklahoma was found, it was cause for "breaking news" bulletins. It's as bad as the young anchorette referring not long ago to a lever-action hunting rifle as "an assault weapon," her facial expression and tone indicating the end of the world is near. Or the from-another-state anchor referring to "Stand Waddie" instead of "Stand Waitie." Dumbing down seems to aptly describe the state of TV news these days.

Stuff It: Some Democrats are of the opinion that conservative bloggers (is that a trite cliche?), radio talk show hosts, Republican members of Congress and others all take their discussion points from a huge GOP list written, some of them believe, by Rush Limbaugh. That's a crock. These nattering nabobs of conspiracy (now, that's a cliche), despite having helped put their man Obama into The White House, spend much of their time savaging George Bush just as the British did to the body of William "Braveheart" Wallace of Scottish legend.

Turn The Saddle Around: Local Democrats now calling for Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee's head need to turn the saddles on their donkeys around and reflect on their silence when serious crimes by Democrats were revealed. Where were these now-advocates-of-total-disclosure, for example, when Jeff McMahan was revealed as a scoundrel? And Mike Mass. And Gene Stipe. And Carroll Fisher. You'll find no defense of Republican Coffee's questionable handling of his taxes due and his traffic tickets here, but nothing in his case rises anywhere near the level of a crime. If we convicted politicians for poor judgement, there'd been no end to the procession.

Loves It: While we can be confident that former Congressman J. C. Watts loves the media attention about a possible run for the GOP nomination for governor, there's reason to believe the speculation is just that...speculation. Watts left Congress seven years ago, he said, to make more money for his family. By all accounts, he has done that, parlaying his celebrity into a lobbying company with numerous clients and seats on the boards of companies that pay directors for serving. He's in the midst of trying to launch a black television network (labeled by some as "Obamacam"). So now he's going to give all that up to again seek office, one that pays ($147,000) less than a member of Congress is paid ($174,000)? Speaking of Watts: How many stories can the newspapers print that quote him as saying, "I haven't decided yet?"

Pope Pleads Guilty In Rinehart Probe

Former Republican Rep. Tim Pope (at left in photo with Rinehart), the manager of former Oklahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart's 2004 campaign, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Oklahoma County District Court to a misdemeanor campaign finance violation.

Prosecutors, documents show, agreed to dismiss multiple felony counts if Pope pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting a contributor in exceeding the statutory limit for campaign contributions.

The deal carries a three-year deferred sentence, a $500 fine and other costs.

As part of the deal, Pope also will end challenges to a federal civil judgment in a separate case.

The attorney general sued Pope for violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Pope had challenged a $4,500 judgment in the case.

Pope also agreed to testify truthfully if called during Rinehart's trial, which is scheduled to begin in November.

Rinehart is charged with multiple felonies, including fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors claim he accepted campaign contributions over the legal limit from several contributors who have all pleaded guilty to misdemeanors in the case. Rinehart has denied any wrongdoing.

Image courtesy The Oklahoman.

Experts: Reforms Could Limit Data Theft

State lawmakers and technology security experts today said reforms advancing in the Legislature will increase protection of citizens’ private data and reduce its theft from government computers.

“Because Oklahoma government continues to use an outdated information technology system that is spread across dozens of agencies, it is impossible to hold one person responsible for the data losses,” said Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie.

“The enactment of House Bill 1704 or Senate Bill 980 could not only save millions of dollars in leveraged IT purchases, but would put someone in charge of securing important data.”

In recent months, several state computers containing citizens’ private information were either lost or stolen, including a flash drive from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and laptops from the Department of Human Services and the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency.

Two bills introduced this session would streamline information technology services and increase data security in state government: House Bill 1704, by Rep. David Derby, and Senate Bill 980, by Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee and Murphey. Both measures would create a Chief Information Officer for state government, who would direct technology purchases and security policies for all state agencies.

Oklahoma is only one of four states in the country without a centralized technology officer.

Dan Yost, chief technology officer for Stillwater-based computer security firm MyLaptopGPS, said the legislation is a step in the right direction.

“When agency policies are not consistent, it generates more loose ends throughout the system – and it only takes one loose end to breach 1 million Oklahomans’ private information, as we have already seen,” Yost said. “Giving one person oversight of the system is a good way to increase accountability and better secure data throughout all of state government. If nobody’s in charge, you’ve really got a problem.”

According to a recent report by the Ponemon Institute, the average cost of a stolen laptop is roughly $50,000 per computer. Other studies suggest the cost may be greater – a 2002 CSI/FBI Computer Crime and Security Survey put the cost at $89,000 per laptop and the 2003 ACCSS said the average value of data on a laptop is $250,000.

“Even the $50,000 ‘best case’ scenario is very bad,” Yost said. “Oklahoma government had to spend $200,000 in mailing costs just for notification letters after the theft of only two laptops. More costs for those incidents will likely be forthcoming.”

Yost noted that another laptop is stolen every 12 seconds, at least 2.6 million per year. A 2006 survey by The Ponemon Institute showed that 80 percent of government agencies surveyed reported losing data via laptop theft in last 12 months.

Reynolds Questions School Sick Leave Pay

From www.tulsaworld.com ~ A state representative seeking an investigation into whether Broken Arrow schools broke the law when it paid some employees for unused sick leave said he was misled by a school attorney who told him the payments were not illegal.

Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, said he obtained a copy of a 2004 letter written by one of the school's attorneys, J. Douglas Mann, addressed to the school's human resources director and labeled as "personal and confidential involving attorney/client privilege," stating that it was against the law for the school to pay teachers that were still employed with the district for unused sick leave.

Reynolds said he forwarded a memorandum to State Auditor and Inspector Steve Burrage and Tulsa County District Attorney Tim Harris to facilitate an investigation of the school district.

"As I have previously stated, it is my understanding that the Broken Arrow school district provided employees as much as $242,000 in apparently illegal payments for unused sick leave," Reynolds said. "District officials have insisted that the practice was legal, but it is now clear their own attorney disagreed."

Read the entire story at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=12&articleid=20090505_19_A9_Astate764284.

Poll: Henry's Job Approval Hangs High

From www.tulsaworld.com ~ Gov. Brad Henry remains popular with Oklahomans despite his support of President Barack Obama and his positions on issues such as voter identification and official English.

In a survey of 318 likely voters by Oklahoma City-based SoonerPoll.com, two-thirds said they approve of Henry's job performance. That puts the second-term Democrat slightly ahead of the state's two U.S. senators, Republicans Jim Inhofe (62 percent) and Tom Coburn (60 percent).

The poll found that 66.3 percent of respondents say they approve of the job Henry is doing. Another 28.9 percent say they disapprove and 4.7 percent say they were neutral.

In the same poll, 83 percent said they favor requiring photo identification to vote and 86 percent said they favor making English the official language.

Last month Henry vetoed a photo ID bill, and the Republican-led Legislature is trying to circumvent Henry by taking an official English referendum directly to the voters.

The poll was conducted April 23-26 and has a margin of error of 5.5 percentage points.

Banker: Coffee Loan 'Customary Transaction'

From NBC Bank ~ The bank loan used by Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee to pay his federal tax for 2006 was a standard business loan issued by a federally-regulated bank with normal conditions and requirements like any other loan, according to the president of the bank.

H.K. Hatcher, President of NBC Bank in Oklahoma City, said, "While I appreciate Senator Coffee's desire to avoid exposing our bank to political controversy, I can no longer sit back while a good and honorable man is attacked. I have thus asked Senator Coffee's permission to speak out and clear the air on this matter.

"Our bank has a longstanding business relationship with Glenn Coffee and his family. This loan was made in the ordinary course of business. The interest rate, maturity, collateral and other terms of this loan are in keeping with our standard lending practices. Glenn Coffee, like every one of our customers, had to meet the required conditions before we would agree to loan him the money. He met those requirements and we loaned him the money. As is always the case with Glenn Coffee, he was professional throughout the process."

Hatcher added, "The loan is a straight-forward, customary business transaction in accordance with all the standards set forth by NBC Bank and banking regulations. This loan is no different from the hundreds we transact for customers every month."

"On a personal level, Glenn Coffee and his family enjoy an outstanding reputation with our bank. They have always been thoughtful and responsible in their dealings with us. I have only the highest regard for Glenn and I appreciate and respect his leadership in our state," Hatcher stated.

Attorneys Fuel Edmondson Campaign With $247,000; Fallin's Daily Average Tops In Field

If the race for the Democratic nomination for governor next year comes down to which candidate gets the most money from attorneys, Drew Edmondson will win hands down.

Analysis By Mike McCarville

The sitting attorney general, who has not yet officially announced he's a candidate, raised $289,385 in the first quarter of the year, $247,020 of it coming from attorneys with $65,000 of it in $5,000 chunks.

Declared candidate Lt. Governor Jari Askins, on the other hand, has just three $5,000 donors in her total of $117,945. Most of her donors gave in small amounts and few are attorneys.

On the Republican side, Congresswoman Mary Fallin's fundraising total is $108,565, with nine donors of $5,000 and she appears to lead the field in dollars-per-day-average.

Senator Randy Brogdon has just one $5,000 donor in his total of $22,700.

The campaign finance reports of the candidates show the following maximum donors:

EDMONDSON: (all attorneys unless otherwise noted) Terry West, Shawnee; Preston Trimble, Norman; Richard A. Bell, Norman; Tricia Everest, Oklahoma City; J. D. Williams, Pearsall, Texas; Cary Petterson, Texarkana, Texas; Dickstein, Shapiro, Washington; Mitchell Garrett, Tulsa; Darren Cleck, Radnor, Pennyslvania; Reggie Whitten, Edmond; Fred Boettcher, Ponca City; David Garrett, Oklahoma City; Dave Roberts, Oklahoma City; and Ada oilman Mike Cantrell. Edmondson appears to have averaged raising about $3,528 per day, weekends included, for the 82-day period from January 8th to March 31st even though many of his donations from numerous attorneys arrived on the same day.

ASKINS: Charles Harrison, Oklahoma City businessman;Tina Bonner, Duncan; Joan Hambrick, Oklahoma City. Askins appears to have averaged raising about $2,457 per day, weekends included, for the 48-day period February 12th to March 30th.

FALLIN: David Rainbolt, Oklahoma City banker; David Freymiller, trucking company owner; Leo Baxter, Lawton; Floyd Gilreath, Edmond businessman; Jim Everest, Oklahoma City investor; Dan Freymiller, Bethany trucking company owner; Gary D. Smith, Edmond businessman; Albert Kelly, Bristow banker; and Rep. David Dank, Oklahoma City. Fallin appears to have averaged raising about $3,619 per day, weekends included, for the 30-day period March 2nd to March 31st.

BROGDON: Lloyd Noble II, Tulsa investor. Brogdon appears to have averaged raising about $1,513 per day, weekends included, for the 15-day period March 17th to March 31st.

Obama Nominee Touts UN Gun Control

From Human Events ~ Last week, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on the nomination of Harold Koh, a former Dean of the Yale Law School, to be Legal Advisor to the State Department.

One of the many concerns with Koh is his belief that international organizations should be empowered to regulate the Second Amendment right to own a firearm.

On April 2, 2002, Koh gave a speech to the Fordham University School of Law titled “A World Drowning in Guns” where he mapped out his vision of global gun control. Koh advocated an international “marking and tracing regime.” He complained that “the United States is now the major supplier of small arms in the world, yet the United States and its allies do not trace their newly manufactured weapons in any consistent way.”

Koh advocated a U.N.-governed regime to force the U.S. “to submit information about their small arms production.”

Koh supports the idea that the U.N. should be granted the power “to standardize national laws and procedures with member states of regional organizations.”

Koh feels that U.S. should “establish a national firearms control system and a register of manufacturers, traders, importers and exporters” of guns to comply with international obligations. This regulatory regime would allow U.N. members such as Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea and Iran to have a say in what type of gun regulations are imposed on American citizens.

Bobby Cleveland Elected Slaughterville Mayor

Cleveland County Republican activist Bobby Cleveland has been elected mayor of Slaughterville.

Slaughterville’s Board of Trustees unanimously elected Cleveland was for a two year term.

Cleveland, chairman of the Cleveland County Republican Party, has served on the Slaughterville Board of Trustees for the last two years.

His election as mayor continues a family tradition of service; Barbara Cleveland, his wife, served as trustee 10 years ago and his father-in-law served on the board and as mayor in the 1970’s.

Cleveland, a Norman businessman, and his family have lived in the Slaughterville area for the past 40 years. He also serves on the ACOG Board, the 911 Board and the Garber Wellington Board of Directors.

Obamadolatry: Biased White House Press Corps Stands For Obama, But Did Not For Bush

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VAfJyzN3ak

Pressure Builds On Obama To Name Gay Justice

From Politico ~ Among the people whose names are being floated for the Supreme Court is Stanford Law Dean Kathleen Sullivan, a top constitutional scholar who has been active in gay rights battles in the Supreme Court, and who as the blog of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund writes, would be the first openly gay person on the court.

The group Lambda Legal wrote Obama in January pressing the appointement of "'out' LGBT judges."

Human Rights Campaign emails over a statement from its legal director, Lara Schwartz, that the group "looks forward to seeing more openly-LGBT people appointed to the federal courts and other positions" but that "what’s most important is a nominee must have a track record that demonstrates her or his ability to consider and decide cases fairly."

Poll: Fallin With Huge Lead Over Brogdon, Watts; Askins Leads Edmondson By Slight Margin

The SoonerPoll reports that Congresswoman Mary Fallin has a huge lead over possible gubernatorial primary opponent J. C. Watts and announced opponent Senator Randy Brogdon.

The late April poll shows Fallin preferred among registered Republicans with 45.3 percent of the vote to 25.9 percent for Watts, who has not announced his candidacy. Brogdon, of Owasso, got 5 percent.

In a two-way race for the Democratic nomination Lt. Governor Jari Askins had 33.9 percent and Attorney General Drew Edmondson had 28.6 percent.

The sampling was of 168 registered Democrats, 139 registered Republicans and 11 independents. It was conducted April 23-26 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 5.5 percentage points.

Of the Republicans surveyed, 23.7 percent indicated they did not have a preference or declined to answer.

"I think J.C. not having been on the ballot since 2002 is having an impact on his numbers. Memories are short in politics," said Bill Shapard of The SoonerPoll, which he heads with political science professor, author and pollster Keith Gaddie.

"I think if J.C. is going to run and be a viable candidate, he's almost going to have to reintroduce himself to the electorate. We've had a few more football stars since he last ran," Shapard told The Associated Press.

Shapard said the poll shows Askins and Edmondson "are well known among the Democratic electorate, which is evidently divided between the two. I think that is going to be a dogfight primary if Edmondson finally commits to the race."

Noted Quote: J. C. Watts On Obama's Election

"I think it (Obama’s election) is a testament that God answers prayers in ways that we might not understand." J. C. Watts, as quoted in The Oklahoman 1/25/09.

Thompson To Officially Announce This Summer

A spokesman for Rep. Mike Thompson says the Oklahoma City Republican will have an official announcement about the race for the 5th District seat in Congress in early summer.

Thompson already has formed a committee and is raising money, Jake Parsons of the committee said.

"We have opened a committee for Congress and thus far, fundraising is going very well," Parsons said.

Former Rep. Kevin Calvey has announced he is seeking the Republican nomination and others are known to be considering the race.

Incumbent Congresswoman Mary Fallin has announced she'll seek the GOP nomination for governor next year.

Boren Authors Native American Apology

Congressman Dan Boren has introduced legislation in the House of Representatives to proclaim an official apology from the United States Government to Native American peoples.

The legislation, H. J. Resolution 46, would commend and honor Native Peoples for "the thousands of years they have stewarded and protected this land, and acknowledge years of official depredations, ill-conceived policies, and the breaking of covenants by the Federal Government regarding Indian tribes," a statement from Boren's office said.

Pew: Record For Minority Voters In 2008

From The New York Times ~ The longstanding gap between blacks and whites in voter participation evaporated in the presidential election last year, according to an analysis released Thursday. Black, Hispanic and Asian voters made up nearly a quarter of the electorate, setting a record.

The analysis, by the Pew Research Center, also found that for the first time, black women turned out at a higher rate than any other racial, ethnic and gender group.

The study attributed the findings to several factors beyond the obvious one: Barack Obama’s candidacy. For instance, the number of eligible Hispanic voters has soared by more than 21 percent since 2004, a reflection of population gains and growing numbers of Hispanics who are citizens. Their share of eligible voters increased to 9.5 percent, from 8.2 percent four years earlier. In 2008, for the first time, the share of white non-Hispanic eligible voters fell below 75 percent.

“What this report demonstrates is a pretty potent one-two punch of demographic change and behavioral change,” said Paul Taylor, executive vice president of the Pew Research Center. “The white share of the overall vote has been stepping down pretty steadily for 20 years.”

“In 2008 we obviously had a historic candidacy,” added Mr. Taylor, who was a co-author of the analysis. “That’s certainly a plausible explanation for the spike in African-American turnout. The question was, Would other minorities vote for this minority? Not only did he get a big vote, but he got a big turnout.”

The analysis, by Mr. Taylor and Mark Hugo Lopez, associate director of the Pew Hispanic Center, was drawn from Census Bureau surveys of voter participation and was supplemented by a study from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University.

Despite widespread predictions of record voter turnout last November, the overall rate was virtually the same as in 2004. But the composition of the electorate changed. The turnout among eligible whites declined slightly, by 1.1 percent, but rose by 4.9 percent among blacks.

In 2004, the gap between white and black turnout rates was nearly seven percentage points. It was less than one percentage point four years later.

Polls during the campaign found that young people in general and blacks in particular were the most energized by Mr. Obama’s candidacy.

The Pew analysis found that whites constituted 76.3 percent of the record 131 million Americans who voted last November. Blacks accounted for 12.1 percent, Hispanic voters for 7.4 percent and Asians for 2.5 percent.

Together, black, Hispanic and Asian voters made up 22 percent of the voters, compared with about 12 percent in 1988.

The analysis found that Southern states with large populations of black eligible voters recorded the greatest increase in turnout rates. In Mississippi, the rate increased by eight percentage points compared with 2004 — to 69.7 percent, from 61.7 percent.

Mr. Obama scored upsets in several Southern states. Those victories were attributed to the growing number of migrants from other parts of the country, younger voters and a surge in turnout among blacks.

Edmondson Has Money Lead In Governor's Race

The Associated Press reports that Democratic Attorney General Drew Edmondson has taken the early lead in fundraising in the 2010 governor's race.

A report prepared for filing with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission on Thursday shows Edmondson, who has not yet officially announced as a candidate, had raised more than $289,000 and had almost $473,000 in the bank.

Edmondson's quarterly total was more than twice as much as other major figures in the race, Democratic Lt. Governor Jari Askins and Republican Congresswoman Mary Fallin.

Fallin's report showed she has raised $108,565. Askins has not yet filed her report, but spokesman Don Hoover said she's raised more than $116,000.

Republican Senator Randy Brogdon, an announced candidate, has raised about $27,000.