Noted Quote: 'We'll clean up the tax code'

Steele

“What’s happened over the course of time is that Legislature has implemented various tax incentives and tax credits and things of that nature, many of which were set to expire at a date certain.

“I think it was Ronald Reagan who said that the closest thing to eternal life is a government program. I think he was probably onto something there, because none of these tax credits have gone away.

“We suspect many of them have lived their life, expired their usefulness, they’ve served their purpose, or they may even have been misused or abused.

“Chairman [David] Dank and his committee have diligently worked to establish some objective criteria based on our state’s Constitution, that each and every tax credit will have to meet, in order to stay on the books.

“Certainly, we want Oklahoma to be competitive with … other states, but also want to be extremely responsible with the resources, the taxpayers’ money, that we have been entrusted with.

“So, we will take a close look at our state’s tax codes. I suspect we will begin to clean up and probably eliminate some of the tax credits either have lived their life and served their purpose, or which need to expire." ~ House Speaker Kris Steele, as quoted by Pat McGuigan/CapitolBeatOk.com.

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Mike Reynolds Assails Steele; Calls For House Caucus Rules To Be Written By State GOP

Mike Reynolds

Rep. Mike Reynolds, one of those House members opposed to Speaker Kris Steele, assails Steele in a statement to The McCarville Report Online and says he wants the Oklahoma Republican Party to write the rules for House Caucus meetings.

"It is unfortunate that Speaker Steele believes it is appropriate to make accusations against elected members of the House of Representatives" Reynolds said.

"He apparently doesn't understand that the vast majority of the members are trying to help pull him out of the mud that he denies falling into. Those same members realize they were elected to do a job for their constituents but he has been very difficult with Steele's leadership style.

"The recent caucus was just another example of the abuse of members time for the speakers convenience. Discussion was supposed to occur about the House agenda during the upcoming session. Instead the Speaker chose to present position papers on what were apparently his favorite subjects. While they may have been informative, that is not why most members chose to take the time to participate in this meeting. Had these position papers been presented on the House floor there is no doubt the Speaker would have asked his close associates to 'move the previous question' to cut off debate.

"There appears to be only one way to eliminate the arrogance that is displayed by this leadership team. The caucus rules of the House Republicans must be drafted by the Oklahoma Republican Party. This will allow for meetings open to the public and honest discussion, rather than intimidation and statements that might not be factual, but can't be discussed outside of caucus because of 'confidentiality rules.'

"I have contacted several county party chairmen that have agreed this must be done. I look forward to any Republican House member that thinks this is a bad idea debating the issue in a public forum at the next State Party Convention."

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Blackwell: GOP Caucus Was A Sham, Steele Abused Power Of Speaker's Office

Blackwell

Rep. Gus Blackwell says this week's caucus of House Republicans was a sham and Speaker Kris Steele abused his power.

Blackwell's allegations, in an email sent and obtained by The McCarville Report Online, are the latest in an on-going series of attacks from some House members dissatisfied with Steele's leadership.

Steele, in a statement to TMRO, said, “I’ve never been one to dive down in the mud, so I’m certainly not going to start now. What I will say is the vast majority of us know we’re sent here to do a job, so we’re focused on doing that job and doing it well. I’m proud we spent time on policy at our retreat and I’m confident Oklahomans will be glad we did, as well. Beyond that, internal Caucus issues are handled in the Caucus and personnel issues must be handled in accordance to law, so I cannot comment further.”

Here's Blackwell's email:

From: Gus Blackwell
Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 3:26 PM
To: Republican Legislators
Subject: 2011 OHOR Republican Caucus Retreat

Dear Fellow Republican Legislator,

        I do not use the term "caucus member" because, after Tuesday's meeting, it is apparent our dysfunctional group is anything but a meeting of members of a political party tasked to decide policy.  Obviously, our caucus retreat was not intended to be an opportunity for our caucus to discuss, debate, or decide policy. Instead, our caucus meetings have become carefully orchestrated and planned events, with little or no time for the actual discussion of caucus business.

        The 2011 Republican Caucus Retreat in Shawnee stands as an outstanding example of what I am writing in this email. After a first day of tours and dinner, no caucus business was transacted. The second day had time for a breakfast with a political presentation, a 30-minute museum tour and five and one-half hours of other presentations, before staff was asked to leave and we actually began "caucus business."  Our discussions as a caucus lasted less than 45 minutes out of the over 15 hours of scheduled activity.

         Although I had requested to be put on the Caucus agenda over a month earlier, my topic, discussing Speaker Steele's removal of people from positions of authority, was relegated to the last item on the agenda.  Realizing the lateness of the hour, I requested from Chairman Watson the topic be tabled until the next caucus meeting, so it could be fully vetted.  He informed me, "No, the Speaker wants to address it now."

         What followed was the one of the most absolutely abominable displays of caucus politics I have witnessed in the legislature. After just 10 minutes, while I had the floor and was responding to the Speaker, a motion was entertained to adjourn and quickly half-voted on.

         As a senior member, who has been Acting Speaker, Speaker Pro-Tempore, Chair of three different committees, and who has served on every Republican leadership team except the present one, I would think I would be allowed to have more than two responses to speak on a topic I requested be discussed and which strikes to the very core of how we operate as a majority.  However, I wasn't, neither was Rep. Trebilcock or any other members of the caucus.

           The explanations given for the replacing of Rep. Trebilcock are just not plausible. Rep Trebilcock was fired from the Leadership Team in July and not replaced as Energy Chair until November. NO HOUSE VOTES occurred in that interim (only the Speaker Designate election).  I'm curious how Speaker Steele knew Rep. Trebilcock (allegedly) missed 30% of his votes. In the past, members could only access their own information on that subject. Besides, he missed more votes before he was appointed and the whole subject is extraneous to his job as Chairman. The fact others weren't fired as Chairs is also irrelevant, since they weren't threatened, as he was before the election.

              My question on the abuse of power, by the Speaker, extended well past the replacing of Rep. Trebilcock and into the myriads of other firings and resignations, which have occurred in the House.  Another firing of a House employee happened yesterday, while this topic was being avoided. An employee with just two days to go until her 25th year of service to the House of Representatives was fired and escorted out, like a criminal. No longevity check
in her stocking this year. 

              With power comes responsibility and accountability. While the Speaker may have the power to fire people at the House, he is still accountable to the Caucus for his actions.  On Tuesday, December 6, 2011, his response to the caucus was simply to cut-off the meeting and go home.

               His actions do not pass the infamous "smell test."  In this bucket, Rep. Dank, (the one which you carried) there is not even an inch of honey.

Merry Christmas,

Representative Gus Blackwell, District 61

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Blog: Take A Breath, Al

From The Oklahoma Truth Council ~ The stress of constant, political intrigue may have finally gotten the best of Al Gerhart. The leader of the Sooner Tea Party came out with his weekly thoughts on recent Oklahoma politics, and chose to make some insinuations that may reflect Al’s need for a vacation, or to at least to step back and take a breath.

To start, Gerhart decided to attack Speaker Kris Steele for emailing legislators and notifying them of a birth in the “House Family.” Rep. Skye McNeil (sic) has recently welcomed another child into the world. Gerhart went so far as to imply that the child might be deformed or at the very least “bullied” for the child’s name. He also infers that the child’s paternity might be in question due to the child’s middle name.

Seriously? Have we gotten to the point in Oklahoma politics that we attack newborn children for the crime of being born? Can’t we patiently wait until they marry rich scarf aficionados and start their own indie rock band?

We understand, first hand, how difficult it is to process all the rumors, rifts and rants that circulate around 23rd and Lincoln, but Gerhart may want to adopt a policy of “trust but verify.” While the House may provide most, if not all, of his information, he should remember that certain legislators like to color history to improve their showing. The House Freshman can try to lay claim to stopping the Fallincare Exchanges, but true credit goes to Sen. Bill Brown who put his foot down and President Pro Tem Brian Bingman who joined him.

Gerhart is on the front lines of political activism, and it is an exhausting place to be for an extended time. It is easy to see demons behind every bush, but it is important to remember perspective.

For example:

Mike McCarville may not be a fan, but he is from another era of politics, one where political activists were businessmen or single issue conferences, not anonymous blogs, tea parties or mass citizens gathering at the Capitol with petitions.

Skye McNeil (sic) was most likely not passed over for Speaker due to her ideology, but her gender. Oklahoma has never had a female Speaker. Jari Askins was in line for it but the Republicans took control that year, and Askins became the first and only female Oklahoma House Minority Leader. When it comes to Oklahoma Speakers they are following the same trends as the presidency, a black man had to come before a woman.

Oklahoma is well served when its people are informed and engaged in the political process, but that can only happen when its leaders, spokespeople, and commentators are refreshed and ready to do the job at hand. Rushing to judgement, attacking infants and carrying the water for a certain Representative’s personal agenda is beneath the capabilities of one of Oklahoma’s most outspoken organizations.

We hope that Gerhart and the Sooner Tea Party take this joyous season to have a Merry Christmas and relax, refresh and renew for the battles that are sure to come with the New Year and new Session.

Congratulations to Rep Skye McNeil (sic) on the addition to her household, may she be a blessing to your family!

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Gerhart Mocks Steele Disability

Kris Steele

Al Gerhart's loathing for House Speaker Kris Steele has resulted in Gerhart mocking Steele's physical disability. It's the newest attack by Gerhart, who claims Steele is a "Republican in name only" and isn't conservative enough.

Skye McNiel

Gerhart's latest diatribe against Steele actually came in an attack on Rep. Skye McNiel, who just gave birth to her daughter, named Sami Steele McNiel.

Writing in the Sooner Tea Party newsletter, Gerhart refers to McNiel as "perennially pregnant" and said the birth announcement, coming from Steele's office, was "even more than a little bit creepy, approaching appalling...."

And then Gerhart writes: "The parents named the baby after Speaker Steele...as in Sami Steele McNiel. Did the baby, God forbid, have a bad leg or something? Is she now destined to be shot with a Daisy BB gun by one of her friends resulting in a six figure settlement? Perhaps Speaker Steele might reconsider those caps on legal damages if his namesake might have to walk, uh, hobble in his footsteps."

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Miller Pulls Out Of Speaker's Race, Backs Steele

Rep. Ken Miller of Edmond has pulled out of the race for House Speaker and endorsed Rep. Kris Steele (pictured) of Shawnee for the post.

The two had been vying for votes in the Republican Caucus.

Miller's announcement first came in an email to fellow GOP House members. He said he and Steele met over the weekend.

"After having positive and substantive discussions over the weekend, I am pleased to announce my support of Representative Steele in his efforts to become the next Speaker of the House,” said Miller in a mid-morning news release.

“While I am honored to have been a part of the conversation concerning future House leadership, I do not plan to seek the position of speaker-designate in the fall and look forward to working closely with Rep. Steele to move our state forward," he said.

With no other House Republicans expressing interest in the position, Steele is likely to become the next Speaker of the House.

“Representative Ken Miller is a valuable member and a talented legislator. I’m honored and pleased to have his support and look forward to working together with him to grow our economy and tackle the important issues facing our state,” said Steele, who is currently the speaker pro-tempore of the House.

“The dialogue that Representative Miller and I have had will move the Republican caucus forward more unified than ever and that’s a tribute to his leadership,” said Steele, R-Shawnee.

Speaker Chris Benge, who is term limited and cannot seek re-election, praised Steele and Miller as strong leaders and said House Republicans will be in capable hands.

“This has been a very positive process and it demonstrates that Republicans have the ability to govern while smoothly transitioning leadership,” said Benge, R-Tulsa.

“I look forward to working with both of these leaders of our caucus as we enter next session and continue the pro-growth policies that have improved Oklahoma so much over the past few years.”

Though Benge remains Speaker of the House through November of 2010, Republicans will formally vote on Benge’s replacement this October. The winner will receive the title of “Speaker-Designate” and stand before the entire House for election as Speaker in November of 2010.

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AP Analyzes Race For House Speaker

Tim Talley Of The Associated Press reports on the race for speaker of the Oklahoma House: An economist from Edmond and an associate pastor at a Methodist church in Shawnee are the leading contenders to be the next Republican speaker of the Oklahoma House.

Rep. Ken Miller, chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee who holds a doctorate in political economics from the University of Oklahoma, and House Speaker Pro Tem Kris Steele, an associate pastor at the Wesley United Methodist Church of Shawnee who now holds the House’s second ranking position, are vying to replace House Speaker Chris Benge of Tulsa.

Read the entire article at http://newsok.com/two-lead-race-for-oklahoma-house-speaker/article/3375999.

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Autism Bill Draws Support, Discussion

Democratic Floor Leader Mike Brown, D-Tahlequah, and Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs, today praised the passage of a bill designed to enhance services for autism in the state, but cautioned that the bill may not do enough to help families of children with this disease.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Speaker Pro Tem Kris Steele to ensure this bill is as effective as possible,” Brown said. “I’ve always believed that we can craft good legislation by reaching across the aisle to share our concerns and then allow full debate by the good public servants of the House of Representatives."

Brown and Steele, R-Shawnee, collaborated on improving language to HB2027 before it was introduced on the House floor to ensure that the bill would remain in full compliance with existing statutes.

“I’ve visited with administrators at Northeastern State University, and they’re ready to implement this training program. As soon as this funding comes through, they are set to start training autism providers,” Brown added.

“This bill, however, remains only a partial solution to the greater problem of helping families of children with autism,” Brown stated. “They face greater challenges not addressed by this bill, such as paying for costly treatment for their children. Since many insurance companies don’t cover care for autism, even families who can afford private insurance may not be able to afford treatment – so how will these new providers afford to stay in Oklahoma?”

Dorman joined Brown in praising passage of the bill, but also held reservations whether this bill does enough to help Oklahoma families.

“My greatest concern is that without a way to ensure these providers a mechanism for payment, we’ll experience a ‘brain drain’ and lose them to other states,” said Dorman. “Training more autism providers is an excellent step in the right direction, but I am concerned especially for people in rural areas that they will still be unable to find autism specialists or pay for their services.”

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Benge Wins Reelection As Speaker; Kris Steele Elected Speaker Pro Tempore

State House Republicans have reelected Chris Benge as speaker.

Rep. Mike Reynolds of Oklahoma City, who had announced he would challenge Benge, dropped out.

Republican members also selected Rep. Kris Steele to serve as the Speaker Pro Tempore, ousting incumbent Gus Blackwell, and re-elected Rep. John Wright to serve as caucus chairman.

The remainder of the Speaker’s leadership team and committee chairmen will be announced later this year.

“I am deeply honored to be selected by my Republican peers to serve as their Speaker Pro Tempore and will work tirelessly to oversee the floor proceedings in a manner that is fair and respectful,” said Steele, R-Shawnee.

Wright said he is grateful to continue as caucus chairman to help make for a smooth transition with the newly-enlarged group of Republican members.

“We celebrate our increased numbers while looking forward to the next legislative session as a united caucus,” said Wright, R-Tulsa.

The Speaker and Speaker Pro Tempore will be formally elected by the full House on January 6 when the Legislature holds its constitutional organizational day.

The caucus also took the opportunity to introduce its 12 new members.

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Kris Steele Honored By Child Advocates

Rep. Kris Steele will be inducted into the Child Advocates Hall of Fame in April by the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, officials announced today

""I am honored and humbled to be included in the Child Advocates Hall of Fame," said Steele, R-Shawnee. "The vast majority of the people I work with want to create a better world for our children. I will continue to pursue that goal and I sincerely appreciate the efforts of all the officials and advocates who work alongside me."

In a letter notifying Steele of his selection for the honor, Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy Executive Director Anne Roberts wrote that Steele is among a group of policymakers who "have made a real difference in the lives of the children and young people of our state in the areas of juvenile justice, health and safety, child protection, education and poverty."

Steele and other honorees will be inducted at an April 22 ceremony at the Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City. Steele is chair of the House Health Subcommittee.

The event will also honor Steele's most prominent Shawnee neighbors, Governor Brad Henry and his wife, Kim.

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Steele Named To House Leadership Team

Rep. Kris Steele of Shawnee has been named a member of House Speaker Chris Benge's leadership team.

"I am very excited to have the opportunity to serve in this new position and am honored that Speaker Benge chose me for this task," said Steele..

In his new position, Steele will be involved in developing a conservative agenda and guiding that legislation through the House and assisting negotiations with members of the state Senate.

Steele, who also chairs the House Health Subcommittee, was elected in 2000.

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Study Panelists Hear From Elderly Advocates

Nursing home officials and advocates for the elderly urged state lawmakers to prevent convicted sex offenders from being placed in facilities that serve the general population during a legislative study conducted today.

Several officials attending the meeting voiced support for creating a separate facility that would exclusively serve elderly sex offenders or violent criminals.

Rep. Kris Steele (pictured), a Shawnee Republican who requested the study, said the current system may endanger many elderly Oklahomans: "I believe government's primary responsibility is to protect its most vulnerable citizens, and that's why I requested this study, to determine how we can best protect our elderly citizens who need long-term care," Steele said. "At the same time, we've also got to provide some form of care for individuals on the sex-offender and violent-offender registries who have served their debt to society and are no longer capable of independent living."

A 2005 law authored by Steele requires nursing homes to run background checks on all employees and post public notification whenever a registered sex offender or violent criminal is admitted as a resident.

However, several officials at the Capitol hearing called for new restrictions that would prevent sex offenders from living in long-term care facilities that serve the general population, saying the risks are too great. In most nursing homes, officials noted that staff levels are low and security guards in short supply, making it difficult to properly monitor a sex offender in a facility.

In addition, federal regulations prevent nursing homes from restraining residents or even locking them in a room except in rare instances that seldom apply to a newly admitted sex offender.

Currently, officials believe approximately 60 individuals listed on the state's sex offender or violent criminal registries now reside in nursing homes that serve the general public. That number could increase significantly in the near future.

According to figures provided by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, an estimated 2,450 criminals convicted of sex crimes or violent offenses will be released from prison in the next 10 years, and 26 percent of those convicts will be age 51 or older and potential candidates for nursing home care.

Officials said long-term care facilities are normally reluctant to admit sex offenders because of liability issues and the loss of other customers as a result. In addition, Medicare/Medicaid will not pay the expenses of convicts, creating financial strain for the facilities.

However, those facilities are often forced to take criminals as residents due to court orders. The individuals sent to nursing homes by court order are often ruled incompetent to stand trial, officials said.

Lawmakers are considering creation of a specialty facility for sex-offenders or violent criminals in need of long-term care. Steele said additional study is needed to determine what security efforts will be required to operate specialty facilities and ensure protection of the public.

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Steele To Speak On Medicaid System

Rep. Kris Steele, the state lawmaker who helped lead the successful effort to reform Oklahoma's antiquated Medicaid system, will speak to a conference of lawmakers from around the country about the program's progress.

Medicaid reform legislation authored by Steele (R-Shawnee) was enacted into law last year and has since been praised as a national model for fixing outdated and overly expensive state Medicaid systems and replacing them with systems that empower patients and increase efficiency.

Steele's presentation on the crafting of the legislation and its reforms will be part of the 2007 Legislative Leaders Health Care Forum, to be held February 15-17 in Denver.

"If states are not careful, Medicaid can easily overwhelm their statebudgets, just like it was doing here in Oklahoma," said Steele (R-Shawnee). "That's why we have begun to take steps to reform the system, and in the process we have given Medicaid recipients more choices and more control over their own health care."

In 2005, Steele chaired a bipartisan task force on Medicaid reform,which held a series of hearings at the state Capitol and conducted a statewide listening tour.

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