Big Pensions Draw Legislative Attention Again

By Mick Hinton, Capitol Bureau, Tulsa World ~ Legislation to close a loophole in state law that allows some elected officials to retire with pensions bigger than the salaries they earned on the job has survived two committee hearings. But it is still questionable that a bill to abolish the loophole will become law this session, since numerous attempts in previous years have failed.

Republican lawmakers are trying to get the enhanced pension benefits abolished.

Most Democratic legislators are opposed to closing the loophole that helps hundreds of elected county officials throughout the state.

Lobbyist Dave Herbert, former state senator who represents county officers at the State Capitol, said it is only right that they get the enhanced benefits. "You suffered through a crappy old government job so you could have a decent pension when you retired," he said.

Read the entire story at www.tulsaworld.com.

Share |

Claunch Prepares County Commission Campaign

Former State Rep. Forrest Claunch, Midwest City Republican, is preparing to seek the Oklahoma County Commission District 1 post being vacated by the appointment of Commissioner Jim Roth to the Corporation Commission.

An announcement from Claunch is expected as early as Tuesday.

As reported earlier today on The McCarville Report Online, the field of possible Democratic candidates includes former State Rep. Debbie Blackburn, Oklahoma City Councilwoman Willa Johnson and Oklahoma City Councilwoman Ann Simank. Former State Senator Dave Herbert, Midwest City Democrat, took himself out of the race today, telling radio station KTOK he will continue as a Capitol lobbyist.

Republican sources, meanwhile, say that Jason Nelson, a former member of Goveror Frank Keating's staff and currently a principal of the consulting firm CMA Strategies considered getting into the race but will not do so if Claunch announces as expected.

Share |

County Developments: Debbie Blackburn Eyes Roth Seat, Debbe Leftwich Talks About Rinehart Seat

Former State Rep. Debbie Blackburn, sources say, may enter the race to succeed Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth. She is the third Democrat known to be considering the race to succeed Roth in the District 1 post. Others are Oklahoma City Councilwoman Willa Johnson and Oklahoma City Councilwoman Ann Simank. Former State Senator Dave Herbert considered the race, but told radio station KTOK today he will not be a candidate.

Blackburn completed 12 years in the House and left because of term limits. She is active in numerous civic organizations, including the Downtown Oklahoma City Rotary Club, the Neighborhood Alliance of Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Academy of State Goals, and the Paseo Redevelopment Corporation Board of Directors.

The only Republican known to be exploring a race is former State Rep. Forrest Claunch of Midwest City.

In another Oklahoma County political development, some insiders expect State Senator Debbe Leftwich to seek the District 2 seat now held by embattled Republican Brent Rinehart, who faces criminal charges related to the financing of his campaign. Leftwich, a Democrat elected to replace her late husband in 2003 and reelected in 2006, reportedly has discussed the possibility with supporters and some party insiders.

Share |

Herbert Says He'll Have Announcement Next Week

Capitol lobbyist Dave Herbert says he'll announce next week if he will be a candidate for the Oklahoma County Commission.

The former state senator told radio station KTOK he is a forming an exploratory committee and will meet with members over the weekend to assess the race.

Herbert, a Democrat, could face two members of the Oklahoma City Council, Willa Johnson and Ann Simank, if he decides to run. Johnson told KTOK she's not ready to announce yet, but sounded much like a candidate. Simank has declared she is running.

Republican Forrest Claunch, former House member, also is considering the race for the seat being vacated by Jim Roth.

Share |

Willa Johnson Eyes County Commissioner Vacancy

Oklahoma City Councilwoman Willa Johnson has given an indication she, too, is interested in running for the Oklahoma County Commission seat being vacated by Jim Roth.

Sources say Johnson has contacted previous supporters about making the race.

Earlier Wednesday, Councilwoman Ann Simank indicated she is running, as did former State Senator Dave Herbert of Midwest City, now a Capitol lobbyist. Former State Rep. Forrest Claunch, also of Midwest City, also is known to be considering the race.

Share |

Ann Simank Says She'll Seek Roth Post

Oklahoma City Councilwoman Ann Simank of Ward 6 says she'll run for the County Commission seat being vacated by Commissioner Jim Roth's appointment to the Corporation Commission.

Simank apparently will join former State Senator Dave Herbert in the race. Former State Rep. Forrest Claunch of Midwest City also is considering the race.

Simank was eleced to the council in 1995. She confirmed rumors she'll run in an interview with the publication OKCBusiness.

Share |

KTOK: Herbert Eyes County Commissioner Seat

By Jerry Bohnen, NewsRadio 1000 KTOK ~ He's not commenting officially yet but former Midwest City State Senator Dave Herbert has his sights set on becoming the next Oklahoma County Commissioner. Herbert, a Democrat who now lobbies for Oklahoma County, has a meeting later this week with County Commsisioner Jim Roth who is leaving in two weeks to become a State Corporation Commissioner. Herbert is hoping to get Roth's support in a bid for the job once Governor Henry sets a date for a special election. Herbert spent years in the State Senate and has indicated he shares the same vision of Oklahoma County as Roth has. The two have worked together as Herbert lobbied the legislature for the county.

Herbert was defeated in 2002 as he sought reelection to the Senate seat he held for years. The former Midwest City mayor and police officer was attacked by organized labor, which spent a small fortune in the Democratic primary to beat him because of his support for right to work. His loss resulted in the seat falling into Republican hands, where it has been since.

Meanwhile, supporters of former State Rep. Forrest Claunch, Midwest City Republican, say he is seriously considering seeking the commission seat. Claunch voluntarily left the Legislature in 2004.

Share |