National FFA Honors Dale Turner

The National Future Farmers of America Organization recently announced their selection of Rep. Dale Turner to receive a VIP Citation at the upcoming National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. Turner, D-Holdenville, is being recognized for his "significant contributions to agricultural education."

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House Candidates Announce In Districts 24, 72

From www.tulsaworld.com ~ Businessman Elverez Allen has joined the crowded field to succeed term-limited Rep. Darrell Gilbert in House District 72. The T-shaped district runs from 11th Street to 66th Street North. Allen, who turns 54 this week, owns the Cartridge World store in Gateway Center. He served eight years on the city's sales tax review committee and has been active in various community organizations, including the Greenwood and Tulsa Metro chambers of commerce. A Democrat, Allen graduated from McLain High School and holds degrees from Yankton College and the University of Phoenix.

Former state Farm Bureau President Steve Kouplen of Beggs announced last week he will be seeking the House District 24 seat being vacated by term-limited Rep. Dale Turner of Holdenville. Kouplen, a Democrat, holds bachelor's and master's degrees in agriculture education from OSU and was an intern teacher under Turner. District 24 stretches from the Tulsa-Okmulgee county line south to include most of Hughes and Okfuskee counties, the southeastern corner of Creek County and the northwestern half of Okmulgee County. Hughes County Assessor Kathi Mask has also indicated an interest in the seat.

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Speculation Increases About McMahan Probe Panel

With certain House approval next week of a resolution calling for an investigation of Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan that could result in his impeachment, there's speculation today about those who might serve on the committee.

New House Speaker Chris Benge of Tulsa will name the eight committee members, four Democrats and four Republicans, with a member of each party serving as co-chairman.

Rep. Mike Reynolds, Oklahoma City Republican, authored the resolution and is said by some to be able to cite line-by-line from the lengthy, nine-count federal indictment of McMahan and his wife, Lori. He told Oklahoma City radio station KTOK he would like to serve on the committee. His problem is that he's viewed as a maverick always on the outs with his own party's leadership and he's butted heads with Benge in the past.

Others mentioned as possible members are all attorneys and include Reps. Rex Duncan of Sand Springs, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee; T. W. Shannon of Lawton, assistant majority whip; Dan Sullivan of Tulsa, assistant majority floor leader and chairman of the Civil Justice Committee; and John Trebilcock of Broken Arrow, whose resolution authorized the panel that investigated former Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher.

Capitol sources say that while the Benge appointments won't be certain until they are announced, three top members of Democratic Leader Danny Morgan's team, and a highly-respected former Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper, are possible members of the committee. They are Reps. David Braddock of Altus, James Covey of Custer City, Paul Roan of Tishomingo and Dale Turner of Holdenville. Covey is the minority floor leader and Braddock and Turner are deputy minority floor leaders. Roan is a retired OHP trooper and the former deputy sheriff of Pontotoc County. He's also a former first vice president of the Oklahoma State Troopers Association and is vice chairman of the House Civil Justice Committee.

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