Shumate New Black Caucus Chairman

Rep. Jabar Shumate, Tulsa Democat, is the new chairman of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus this year, the group announced today.

“As chair of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus, I will work to reduce the disparities that exist for African Americans in education, health, and income,” said Shumate. “I also plan to focus on crime reduction and lowering Oklahoma's incarceration rates, as well as improving restorative justice programs in the state.”

The caucus recently met and selected its leadership team, which also includes Reps. Mike Shelton (D-Oklahoma City) and T.W. Shannon (R-Lawton), who will serve as treasurer and co-treasurer, respectively.

The Caucus will develop its legislative agenda at the group’s fall retreat.

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State's Black Caucus To Honor Republican Legislator A. C. Hamlin's Place In History

The state's Black Caucus, composed mostly of Democrats, will honor the late Republican House member A. C. Hamlin on May 5th.

Hamlin, the Oklahoma Historical Society record shows, was the first African American elected to the Oklahoma Legislature, winning office in 1908. He was the only black to serve until 1964.

Born in Topeka, Kansas, A. C. was the son of Andrew Jackson and Fanny Hamlin, former slaves from Tennessee who had migrated to Kansas in 1880. The family moved to Logan County, Oklahoma Territory, in 1890. After his father's death in 1891, A. C. stayed on the Logan County farm and married Katie Weaver in 1899. The couple had five children.

Hamlin served on the local school board and was a trustee of Springvale Township where his family lived. He won the legislative seat by a two-to-one margin in the prominently African American Third District of Logan County (the county was one-quarter black in 1900) but lost his bid for reelection in 1910.

His defeat was a direct result of a Democrat-sponsored constitutional amendment that essentially prevented most blacks from voting.

The "grandfather clause" stated that "no person shall be registered as an elector in this state, or be allowed to vote in any election held herein, unless he be able to read and write any section of the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma." It also prevented anyone from voting unless that person had voted before January 1, 1866, or was a direct descendent of someone who could vote on that date. This was done by amendment, as in 1907 President Theodore Roosevelt would not sign any proposed Oklahoma constitution if it contained provisions that restricted voting based on race.

As a Republican, Hamlin was in the minority party; however, he was able to sponsor legislation for the appropriation of thirty-five thousand dollars for Taft School, a black school for deaf, blind, or orphaned children.

The Black Caucus this week encouraged Oklahomans to mark their calendars for Tuesday, May 5 so they can attend "this important and historical event" honoring Hamlin and others.

Rep. Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City and Caucus chairman, said, “This will be the 18th Biennial Banquet named in honor of A.C. Hamlin, the first African American ever elected to the State of Oklahoma Legislature in 1908. The A.C. Hamlin Awards dinner was established to honor people in the State that have made extraordinary efforts to advance the agenda of the Black Caucus or serve their communities. Some of the past award winners are former Senator Cal Hobson, Russell Perry, Jim Goodwin, Pastor J.A. Reed, Albert Johnson, and former State Senator Stratton Taylor just to name a few."

The banquet will be hosted at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. The evening will begin with an opening reception at 6 p.m. followed by a dinner and an award ceremony at 7 p.m.

Rep. Jabar Shumate (D-Tulsa and Black Caucus chair-elect) is this year’s event coordinator and will be planning the program.

“I am excited about what is in store for our guests this year,” said Shumate. “Our state has been privileged to have African American legislators serving in the Legislature since statehood, and this event gives us an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of our predecessors. Also it gives us the occasion to honor citizen in our state that have made a significant contribution."

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New Hope Scholarship Credit Bill Fails

Many low-income students will continue to be forced to attend historically under-performing schools because legislation failed in the House today, backers of the bill said.

Senate Bill 2093 would have created the New Hope Scholarship Credit. The bill would have offered tax credits to private individuals who donate to the created scholarship fund as a way to incentivize giving.

Only students who obtain free or reduced lunch and are attending a school that has been on the non-performing list for three or more years would have qualified.

“This is a sad day in Oklahoma. Once again our low-income, urban students are being punished academically because of their financial lot in life,” said Rep. Tad Jones, chairman of the House Education Committee. “This bill would have been null and void if all our schools raised their standards and got off the needs-improvement list.”

The legislation is needed because many Oklahoma students do not have the luxury to pick where they attend school, many of which have been on the needs improvement list for years with no sign of improvement in sight.

The fight will continue, supporters pledged today.

“All kids don’t learn the same, so why would we force them all into the same type of schools?” said Rep. Jabar Shumate, D-Tulsa. “I will fight until I am pushed out of this building for kids who otherwise are unable to realize their full potential because of their financial situation.”

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Columnist Finds Oklahoma 'Real Heroes'

From Choice Remarks ~ In her nationally syndicated Scripps Howard column (Profiles in education courage), Star Parker writes that at a recent speaking engagement for the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, she "discovered a couple of real heroes. ... The heroes here are two black Democrats -- Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre and Rep. Jabar Shumate. Going against the grain of their party, and against the Oklahoma union and public-school establishments, these brave souls are championing this initiative [the New Hope Scholarship Act]."

Read it all at http://okschoolchoice.blogspot.com/.

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House Passes Doctor Incentive Fund Bill

Lawmakers voted today to create new incentives for doctors to practice in poor areas, particularly in low-income urban communities.

House Bill 2689, by Rep. Jabar Shumate, would create an Oklahoma Medical Education Loan and Scholarship Fund to provide loan repayments to medical students who agree to practice in underserved areas, including an "economically depressed urban area" in Oklahoma, for at least two years.

Participating medical students could receive scholarship grants covering up to $15,000 per academic year.

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Shumate Wants Dollar Reward For Exercise

Legislation filed by Rep. Jabar Shumate would provide financial incentive for Oklahomans to exercise.

His House Bill 2506 would give Oklahomans a tax credit equal to 20 percent of the cost of gym fees. The bill passed out of the House Revenue and Taxation Subcommittee.

"Unfortunately, Oklahomans rank very low on national health rankings, so we need to do more to promote exercise and healthy living," said Shumate, D-Tulsa. "By adding a financial reward to the physical benefits of exercise, I believe we can motive more Oklahomans to change their lifestyle."

Shumate has practiced what he preaches, losing 100 pounds over18 months thanks to increased exercise and diet.

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Shumate Under Pressure To Leave Leadership Post?

Some House Democrats want Rep. Jabar Shumate (pictured) of Tulsa to step down as a top party leader in the House, two sources tell The McCarville Report Online. There also appears to be unrest aimed at two other House leaders in both parties; the concern is focused on their failure to pay state income taxes. Talk about them apparently escalated yesterday after House Speaker Lance Cargill resigned, in part over his failure to pay taxes in timely fashion.

"Some of us are sick and tired of the irresponsibility of some (members) making all of us look bad," said a rural Democrat. "I'm so tired of hearing about this from my folks...."

House Minority Leader Danny Morgan, D-Prague, said earlier that he realizes that both Republicans and Democrats failed to file tax returns. "There is no excuse for all of them not taking care of this; they should have known better," he said. Morgan said a man at his church surmised that Cargill understood how to reduce taxes: "Just don't file them."

Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, perhaps echoing the sentiments of both Republicans and Democrats in the House, said the problem with the controversy over filing tax returns "makes all lawmakers look bad."

How widespread the effort to remove Shumate from the Democrat leadership post of assistant minority leader isn't known, but it comes on the heels of a report in The Oklahoman that Shumate, as of the newspaper report eight days ago, had not filed state income tax returns for the years 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and that other House leaders in both parties also failed to file state tax returns.

The Oklahoman reported that Shumate was one of five legislators tardy with tax filings. The others included Cargill, who resigned as House speaker yesterday after repeated accounts of late income and property tax filings; Republican Rep. Don Armes of Faxon, who failed to file returns for 2005 and 2006; Democrat Rep. Ryan McMullen of Burns Flat, who failed to file in 2001 and 2006; Shumate; and Senator Connie Johnson, Oklahoma City Democrat, who failed to file returns in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

McMullen (right) resigned last fall as House Democratic Caucus chairman and the Caucus elected Rep. Chuck Hoskin to replace him. “Ryan is the rising star of our House caucus,” said Rep. James Covey, D-Custer City, at the time legislative newcomer McMullen was named Caucus chairman. “He is well respected among our members. Many of our senior members of the Legislature look to Ryan for guidance on a variety of issues and he has been energetic and relentless in his fight for Western Oklahoma. We’re very fortunate to have such a rising leader representing our area.”

Armes is one of four deputy majority whips.

Shumate is one of eight assistant Democrat floor leaders in the House. Elected in 2004 and reelected in 2006, Shumate has been viewed by some as a rising Democratic Party star. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, he was a member of a Leadership Oklahoma class and has been involved in a long list of community and state organizations.

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Oklahoman: Cargill, Four Other Legislators Have Failed To File Personal Income Tax Returns

The Oklahoman reports in its Sunday edition that Republican House Speaker Lance Cargill and four other legislators have failed to file income tax returns and have been warned by the Oklahoma Tax Commission they are not in compliance with a state law that requires state employees who repeatedly fail to file state income tax returns be fired.

Reporters Nolan Clay and Randy Ellis report that Cargill failed to file income tax returns for the last two years.

They also report that Republican Rep. Don Armes of Faxon failed to file returns for 2005 and 2006; Democrat Rep. Ryan McMullen of Burns Flat failed to file in 2001 and 2006; Democrat Rep. Jabar Shumate of Tulsa failed to file in 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2006; Senator Connie Johnson, Oklahoma City Democrat, failed to file a "recent" return.

All were notified by warning letters from the Tax Commission sent about 10 days ago.

Cargill said he rushed to complete federal and state income tax returns and sent them in on Friday after receiving his warning letter. "I'm human, I made a mistake," Cargill told The Oklahoman reporters. "There's nobody more upset over it than I am because I cost myself money because I was entitled to refunds."

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Lawmakers Criticize Tulsa School Board

State lawmakers today are praising regents at the University of Oklahoma for taking steps to potentially sponsor new charter schools, but say a new lawsuit being considered by the Tulsa public school board against a new charter school law is a thinly veiled attempt to prevent new charter schools from opening.

Last week, the University of Oklahoma’s Board of Regents approved a motion allowing the school to receive applications to sponsor new charter schools in the state. The move is the next step in a process started by House Bill 1589, a new state law passed earlier this year that allows universities to sponsor charter schools in Oklahoma and Tulsa counties.

“We were able to open a door for charter schools this year in the Legislature. And we’re thrilled that the OU regents have stepped up to the plate and said they’re willing to help provide new learning opportunities for students in areas where traditional school models have hurt our kids. It’s a sign of hope in Oklahoma’s education system,” said House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah.

Yet despite OU’s efforts to sponsor charter schools, the Tulsa school board is considering a proposal by board member Matt Livingood to file a lawsuit against House Bill 1589 on the grounds that it limits new charter schools to only two counties.

“I’m extremely disappointed in the Tulsa school board for challenging this bill, especially since it helps address the constitutional concerns that they raised last year,” said Rep. Tad Jones, R-Claremore, who chairs the House Education Committee.

Jones said HB 1589 was written in response to constitutional questions that were raised by the Tulsa school board about the state’s original charter school law. The bill reduced the number of counties where new charter schools could open to just Oklahoma and Tulsa counties, but added universities to the list of entities that could sponsor charter schools.

Rep. Jabar Shumate, who represents portions of north Tulsa, echoed Jones’ sentiments, saying, “A lawsuit on an issue like this would be a colossal waste of money. Instead of money going toward helping our failing north Tulsa schools, they want to put the money in the pockets of attorneys. Once again, it’s our students who lose out.”

Shumate believes that the new charter schools law seems to be constitutional. “There are many laws on the books with population restrictions, and that’s all were talking about with this charter schools law,” he said. “And those laws have been upheld by the state Supreme Court.”

In 2006, the state Supreme Court ruled in favor of a law that had population restrictions, as long as all governmental entities that qualify are treated equally under the law. The particular lawsuit the court ruled on, City of Enid v. Public Employees Relations Board, was challenging a state law that would allow city employees to unionize, but the law only applied to cities of a certain population size. The City of Enid filed a suit against the law, saying it was unconstitutional because it only applied to certain cities, but the court eventually ruled in favor of the law.

“This lawsuit would be a waste of time and money, and those are two things that can’t be wasted when it comes to the kids of north Tulsa,” said Sen. Judy Eason, McIntyre, D-Tulsa. “This lawsuit would be nothing but a smokescreen. We need charter opportunities for these kids, but the members of the school board are trying to protect against exposure of their failures in north Tulsa.”

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Shumate Plans Initiative Petition Bill

State Rep. Jabar Shumate today announced he will file legislation to crack down on what he says are fraudulent practices that have plagued Oklahoma's initiative petition process.

"Too often, the paid signature collectors working in our petition process will say just about anything to get someone to sign his or her name," said Shumate, D-Tulsa. "Several of my constituents have signed a petition only to later learn of the true contents of the ballot question they are 'supporting.' Unfortunately, there's no way for them to correct their mistake."

Under current law, there is no method for a voter to have his or her name removed from an initiative proposal.

Shumate plans to file legislation in the 2008 session that will allow voters to contact the Office of the Secretary of State to have their name removed from a ballot petition.

The legislation will also establish guidelines for individuals collecting signatures to ensure they face penalties if they mislead citizens about the content of a ballot proposal.

"Our initiative petition process cannot survive if it lacks integrity," Shumate said. "My legislation will help ensure that voters signing their name to a petition truly support the proposed ballot question."

In recent years, he said, the state's initiative petition process has been plagued by alleged abuses. When an initiative petition effort was launched to place a fuel tax increase on the ballot in 2005, there were numerous reports of voters being misled to believe the proposal would slash fuel prices. That may be one reason the initiative obtained enough signatures to go to the ballot while being rejected by 87 percent of the voters - the largest margin of defeat for any state question in Oklahoma history.

Currently, an initiative petition is being circulated that would put a state question on the ballot to dramatically alter state efforts to aid minority groups. Shumate said his constituents have complained of misleading tactics used by signature collectors on that effort. "Our initiative petition process must be above reproach," Shumate said. "My legislation will clean up the system and reduce fraud. I believe it will receive bipartisan support."

The 2008 session of the Oklahoma Legislature will convene next February.

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Jabar Shumate Co-Hosts '100 Ideas' Event

Organizers of the 100 Ideas Initiative announced that Rep. Jabar Shumate (D-Tulsa) will be a co-host of the IdeaRaiser slated for Tuesday, February 13th at the Greenwood Cultural Center in Tulsa.

Shumate, vice-chair of the Children and Families Committee, is a member of the House’s Education Committee and Higher Education and Career Tech Committee.

The IdeaRaiser will focus on issues facing higher education. It is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. at 322 North Greenwood Avenue, in the center’s Gallery. Other co-hosts of the event include OSU-Tulsa President Dr. Gary Trennepohl, Rep. Terry Ingmire and Rep. Tad Jones, chairman of the Education Committee.

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