Is It Public Safety...Or Political Payback?

[REVISED] Governor Henry's advocacy of a new, statewide system of highway "spy" cameras to catch vehicle insurance scofflaws is touted as a means to public safety, a step forward in the use of new technology to make certain insurance laws are being obeyed.

But is the proposed new system all about public safety, or is it political payback to the man many believe is responsible for Henry's surprise election victory in 2002?

The questions arise because The McCarville Report Online has identified former OU and Dallas Cowboys football coach Barry Switzer as a key player in the nationwide movement to land lucrative highway camera administration contacts for the Chicago-based firm InsureNet. The firm is considered a "sole source provider," meaning that governmental entities using the system must hire it to administer it if they want to scan all license plates (including those from other states).

Switzer, research shows, has surfaced in at least two states on behalf of InsureNet, which is the only firm in the nation (it claims on its website) with the ability to institute the new highway "spy" camera system that would scan all plates.

Henry proposed the scanning plan to raise, he claims, $50 million in additional revenue for the state. But what doesn't show in the budget is that InsureNet, for example, would be paid 30 percent of everything collected; in short, the firm's "windfall" would be in the millions of dollars in the first year of operation alone.

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Switzer's name had not publicly surfaced in connection with the plan before TMRO began researching the use of the cameras. And Switzer denies he's discussed the plan with Henry; he told Fox 25 News reporter Michael Henrich he's had no contact with the governor on the issue.

The name of Edmond insurance agent Wayne Pettigrew, a former Republican House leader, had not emerged, either. Yet Pettigrew and Switzer, records in Kansas show, both represent InsureNet in its efforts to launch the highway camera systems here and across the nation. Pettigrew also has been the firm's registered lobbyist in Nevada.

The name of Norman insurance agent Tinker Owens, who played tight end for Switzer at OU, had not emerged, either, but he, too, surfaced in the Kansas effort.

Following the thread of disjointed information about InsureNet's efforts to bring the controversial cameras to Oklahoma highways also shines light on the involvement of others, including Republican Rep. Ken Miller of Edmond, the chairman of the powerful House Appropriations and Budget Committee and a candidate for state treasurer. Miller authored House Bill 3326 in the 2008 session which authorized creation of the new license plates, which apparently became the first step in instituting the system and was a member of the committee that designed the plates. Miller, however, says the system would have worked with the state's previous license plates.

And, as with Henry, there's a political connection between Switzer and Miller.

Oklahoma Ethics Commission reports show Switzer donated $2,500 to Miller's 2010 reelection campaign.

But Miller today told The McCarville Report Online there is no connection between the two, that he never advocated the highway camera system and that the barcode on the new plates has nothing to do with InsureNet's system; he said its system reads the actual license letters and numbers.

Miller said the barcode is not necessary for InsureNet's purposes. This is how InsureNet describes its system on its website: "The InsureNet technology assigns a 'UC', (Unique Code), to each combination of policy and VIN, (Vehicle Identification Number), which becomes the 'bridge' between insurers and government entities and records." (The phrase "unique code" indicates "barcode" to most of those in the industry.)

Miller said any inference that he has been involved in a scheme to implement the system is in error.

Miller said he was aware that Switzer and Pettigrew were involved because they came to several hearings at which he was present.

Switzer was a key factor in Henry's election in 2002; some credit the popular former coach with being instrumental in Henry's victory. Switzer endorsed Henry and raised a huge sum of money for him as part of his campaign finance operation. Switzer made hundreds of telephone calls seeking donations. He also placed and arranged payment for a last-minute series of radio commercials that included a Henry campaign jingle. That jingle became the hallmark of Henry's campaign and gets credit by some for pushing Henry to victory over Republican Steve Largent.

In Henry's reelection campaign in 2006, Switzer repeated his 2002 donation generosity to Henry; he donated the maximum, $5,000.

Henry's communications director, Paul Sund, said no political payback in involved and any suggestion it is is "absolutely untrue." He noted the vendor will be chosen by competitive bid. It appears at least four firms, including InsureNet, submitted bids.

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