Florida GOP House Speaker Sansom Resigns

A second Republican State House Speaker has resigned in as many years following embarrassing disclosures.

The first was Oklahoma's Lance Cargill, who stepped down a year ago. Today, it is Rep. Ray Sansom of Florida, who effectively gave up his post as House speaker as his GOP colleagues were meeting to consider his ouster as GOP leader, a position that entitles him to serve as speaker.

Republicans voted unanimously to replace Sansom with Speaker Pro Tempore Larry Cretul.

Sansom will keep the title of speaker, though, until a formal vote can be taken on his replacement when lawmakers meet in regular session next month.

The scandal arose after Northwest Florida State College gave Sansom a $110,000 job after he funneled $35 million to the school over the last two years. Sansom also has resigned from the college post.

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Prater Says He 'Resents' Holmes Suggestion

Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater told the Tulsa World today he doesn't appreciate an attempt by Democratic Party Chairman Ivan Holmes to "pull" his office into the Lance Cargill controversy.

“I resent the fact that it appears the Oklahoma Democratic Party is attempting to pull my office into a partisan fight,” Prater said, noting that Attorney General Drew Edmondson’s office has already reviewed the issue and decided no further action is warranted.

Holmes today asked Prater, a Democrat, to look into the Cargill fundraising controversy, that drew Cargill an Ethics Commission reprimand for irregularities in donations intended for the Oklahoma Republican Party that instead went to other entities.

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Edmondson: Cargill Won't Be Prosecuted

Attorney General Drew Edmondson's office has found there's nothing to warrant a criminal prosectuion of former Republican House Speaker Lance Cargill.

Cargill was cited by the Ethics Commission in a critical report issued today.

Edmondson spokesman Charlie Price said, "We did not find sufficient evidence to warrant a criminal prosecution."

In a statement, Cargill said, "I certainly worked to promote the election of Republicans, but I never intended to violate any rules of the Ethics Commission, and I acted in good faith in regard to the events at issue.''

Cargill's statement continued: "Although I disagree with the reprimand, I respect the role of the Commission. It is appropriate that they have investigated so that this matter can now be concluded.''

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Ethics Commission Rips Lance Cargill

From The Tulsa World's Capitol Bureau ~ The Oklahoma Ethics Commission on Friday issued a public reprimand to former Republican House Speaker Lance Cargill, the Republican State House Committee and the Oklahoma County Republican Committee for multiple violations of ethics rules.

"Simply put, this is a case of the redirection of campaign contributions intended for one party committee, to another, contrary to the intent of the donors," according to the reprimand.

"It resulted in the contributors being made to support candidates against their conscience and in violation of several provisions of the Ethics Rules, which are designed to safeguard campaigns in Oklahoma."

According to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, campaign checks given by some Republican House members intended for the state party to support the state party's agenda and roster of candidates were re-routed to the Oklahoma County Republican committee and used for an entirely different slate of candidates and purposes, contrary to the intent of the donors.

The Commission noted a deliberate intent to circumvent the law.

Cargill in January stepped down as speaker after failing to timely file state and personal income taxes. He was also delinquent for six years in filing property taxes owed on his law office in Harrah, his hometown.

Cargill, who chose not to file for re-election, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Tom Prince, an attorney for the Oklahoma County Republican Committee, said he had no comment on the action.

Todd A. McKinnis, an attorney listed for the Republican State House Committee, could not immediately be reached for comment.

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Cargill Consults Terrill Campaign

Former House Speaker Lance Cargill, The Oklahoman reports today, is a consultant for Rep. Randy Terrill's reelection campaign.

Michael McNutt reports: Terrill reported receiving a $5,000 in-kind contribution from Cargill's political action committee, Republican PAC to the Future, to close out his 2006 campaign committee, according to campaign reports filed with the state Ethics Commission.

Terrill, R-Moore, said Wednesday he also is paying Cargill to give him advice for his 2008 campaign. Terrill is being challenged by Curtis Bruehl of Norman in Tuesday's primary election.

The expenditures to Cargill, a Republican state representative from Harrah who served as House speaker in 2007, were not listed on Terrill's most recent campaign report filed earlier this week. The report covers the period from April 1 to July 14.

Terrill said payment to Cargill will show up in last-minute campaign reports that will be filed before Tuesday's primary election.

Read the entire story at http://newsok.com/terrill-pays-ex-speaker-for-help/article/3274161/?tm=1216872104.

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Cargill's Offer To Help Democrat Declined

By John Estus/The Oklahoman ~ A Democratic candidate for Oklahoma County commissioner recently turned down former House Speaker Lance Cargill's offer to consult for his campaign.

Oklahoma County District 2 commissioner candidate Jim Dickinson (below left), a Democrat, said he met Cargill (right), a Republican, in Harrah for breakfast about three weeks ago and listened to his longtime acquaintance make a pitch to run his campaign.

Cargill offered to coordinate campaign fundraising and run Dickinson's campaign at a cost of $10,000 for the primary and another $10,000 for the general election, Dickinson said. That was out of Dickinson's price range, he said.

Despite being from different political parties, Dickinson once hosted a fund-raiser for Cargill at his home and Cargill is a supporter of Dickinson's candidacy.

Cargill confirmed the offer and said he supports Dickinson because of the work he did as a Harrah city council member. Both men live in Harrah.

"He just thought I was the right man for the position,” Dickinson said.

Dickinson said Cargill wasn't involved in his failed 2004 campaign for the same seat.

Cargill stepped down from the speaker's position in January after it was revealed he was repeatedly late filing his personal taxes and paying property taxes. He has since decided not to defend his House District 96 seat.

Cargill is advising at least three other candidates this election cycle — all Republicans.

Cargill has said he is advising and has endorsed Lewis Moore in the House District 96 race for the seat Cargill now holds, but declined to name the other candidates he's working for or disclose how much he is being paid.

Republican candidates Jon Echols and Rep. Doug Cox have confirmed they are paying Cargill to advise their campaigns. Echols is challenging Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, in House District 91 and Cox, R-Grove, faces Democratic challenger Kelly Devin Kerr in House District 5.

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Oklahoman: Cargill Signs Political Clients

Fomer Republican House Speaker Lance Cargill, The Oklahoman's John Estus reports in the paper's Sunday edition, apparently has signed up a number of clients as he wears his new hat of political consultant.

Cargill confirmed he is advising a candidate for the House District 96 seat he has held, Lewis Moore. He declined to identify other clients.

Estus, however, identifies Oklahoma City Republican House candidate Jon Echols and Rep. Doug Cox, R-Grove, as clients. Echols seeks to unseat fellow Republican Mike Reynolds, who was not a supporter of Cargill.

Cargill and the candidates declined to reveal how much they are paying him for his services, but one House member who was approached by Cargill said Cargill told him his fee would be $20,000, $10,000 for the primary and $10,000 for the general election. The member said he declined Cargill's offer to consult his campaign: "Too rich for my blood," the member said.

Cargill also declined to even confirm if he's being paid by the candidates. Ethics Commission rules do not require candidates to list consultants by name on their campaign finance reports. However, they are required to list sums paid and the general purpose of the expenditure.

Cox's last campaign finance report lists a $1,500 payment on February 29th for "management" and a $6,000 payment on March 20th for "consulting."

Echols' last report lists a March 11th payment of $5,400 for "political stragegy."

Cargill, an attorney, resigned as speaker in January following revelations in The Oklahoman that he was late in filing personal income taxes and property taxes. He did not file for reelection to the House this year and has placed his Harrah law office building for sale.

The Ethics Commission has been examining the circumstances of donations made to one GOP entity that were deposited in the account of another entity, and Cargill's role, if any, in the transactions.

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Cargill's Out

Former Republican House Speaker Lance Cargill of Harrah was not among those filing for reelection today, thus ending his tenure in the Legislature.

Cargill's rise to political prominence was cut short earlier this year when he resigned as speaker in the wake of reports he had failed to pay taxes in a timely fashion. He had been discussed as a possible GOP candidate for governor.

Cargill has served for eight years.

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With Clock Ticking, No Sign Of Cargill

As the clock ticks to today's 5 p.m. deadline for filing for office, former House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, has not yet filed for re-election and the guessing game about his political plans continues.

Cargill, who resigned the speaker's post just before the start of this year's session because of personal tax problems, has said he would file for re-election. However, sources at the Capitol told The McCarville Report Online last week that he would not. There's been nothing from Cargill himself.

Mike Idleman, 41, a Republican from Choctaw, and Dianne Hunter, 58, a Democrat from Edmond, filed for the House District 96 seat.

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Idleman Files In Cargill District

Mike Idleman filed as a Republican candidate in House District 96 today. Former House Speaker Lance Cargill, who resigned that post after it was revealed he failed to pay taxes in a timely fashon, currently holds the seat.

"I'm running because I feel like I bring a point of view that is needed at the capitol. There aren't many conservative, former educators down there and I feel like I'm the right man, at the right time for House Seat 96," said Idleman.

"As I've knocked doors throughout the district, people keep asking about Lance. I want to be clear; I'm not running against anyone, I'm running for a cause. I believe education and security should be our top priorities as a state and that's what I intend to do. Focus on those issues and be a rock solid conservative within the caucus," said Idleman.

"This district is where my family is from, where I grew up and taught. That's why I'm running for District 96. This isn't about anything negative or geared towards any one person," Idleman said.

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Kern, Terrill Draw Opponents; Cargill Guessing Game Continues

Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, whose comments about homosexuals earlier this year touched off a firestorm, today drew an opponent in Ron Marlett, a Democrat from Warr Acres. He had said he thought the past several years about seeking the House seat that covers western Oklahoma City, but Kern's comments — which included her calling homosexuality the biggest threat facing America — gave him the impetus to seek the post.

Former House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, who stepped down from the speaker's position earlier this year because of personal tax problems, has said he would seek re-election. He hasn't filed so far. However, he's picked up a Democratic opponent, Dianne Hunter of Edmond. Hunter's husband, Dr. David Hunter, was the Democratic nominee in 2006 for the 5th Congressional District seat.

Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, the author of the state's immigration law, picked up an opponent today. Troy Green, a Democrat from Oklahoma City, said he filed against Terrill "because it needs to be done."

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Are Cargill, Adkins Next To Quit?

Republicans may face the prospect of losing two more sitting members of the House, Capitol sources say as rumors fly today about the reelection plans of former House Speaker Lance Cargill of Harrah, and Dennis Adkins of Tulsa.

An informed House source says Cargill and Adkins likely are to announce soon they do not plan to seek reelection.

If that's true, they will join Reps. Rob Johnson, Ron Peterson, Greg Piatt, Susan Winchester and Trebor Worthen in forgoing reelection bids. Four of them have said they will return to private life, while Johnson is running for the Corporation Commission. None of them are term-limited.

Cargill, an attorney who resigned as speaker after disclosures that he had failed to pay multiple taxes, once was touted as a future GOP candidate for governor. He was elected speaker in 2006 as Republicans took control of the House for the first time in history, and launched an ambitious public relations and legislative program. His "100 Ideas" initiative drew on ideas submitted by citizens and many of those ideas have been implemented.

Adkins' use of campaign funds put him in the news in September 2006, when the Tulsa World's Mick Hinton reported Adkins was using donations to pay for an Oklahoma City condo he purchased. Adkins subsequently repaid his campaign the $15,596 it spent for rent on the condo. Hinton also reported that Adkins said he reimbursed the campaign to "get this behind me." Adkins said he had asked the Oklahoma Ethics Commission to determine if he followed the law in making the rent payments from his campaign fund. Director Marilyn Hughes said that when Adkins asked her about the payments, he did not mention he owns the condo.

Adkins, 43, was elected to the House in 2000; he's not had a serious opponent since and in 2004 and 2006, was unopposed. Earlier this year, he had the largest campaign warchest of any House member, $192,236, and that's after he spent almost $54,000 in the last reporting period. He has yet to comment on rumors he may run for the Corporation Commission seat now held by Democrat Jim Roth.

If Cargill and Adkins do opt out, the number of House Republicans not seeking reelection this year will total seven so far; Worthen announced at the beginning of this year's session and Johnson is running for the Corporation Commission.

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Democrat Announces In Cargill District

Edmond resident Dianne Hunter has announced that she will seek the Democratic nomination in House District 96 now held by Republican Lance Cargill.

Hunter becomes the second candidate to announce for the seat. Earlier this week, Republican Mike Idleman announced he'll seek the GOP nomination. Cargill has not announced whether he plans to seek reelection.

Hunter was joined by Lt. Governor Jari Askins and Democratic members of the House as she announced her candidacy."It’s time to put someone with integrity back in the House of Representative for the 96th District,” says Hunter. “Hard working citizens of the district pay taxes for Representative Cargill’s salary and it’s unacceptable for him to not pay his taxes on time. The 96th House District deserves and is ready for a change in leadership!”

“Rep. Cargill says he wants to improve the state’s education system, but when he doesn’t pay his property taxes on time, schools in the 96th district are hurt,” says Hunter.

“Rep. Cargill states that he fought to reduce the tax burden on working families, but in fact, he was neglecting his responsibility to pay taxes on time.”

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Cargill Draws GOP Opponent

Mike Idleman announced today that he is a candidate for the Republican nomination in House District 96, the post now held by former House Speaker Lance Cargill.

Cargill has not yet announced if he'll seek reeelection.

"I'm a conservative Republican and have never run for political office before. I know this will be a tough race but I'm ready to take up the challenge," said Idleman.

Idleman is a graduate of Oklahoma State University, where he also served as a graduate assistant coach for the Cowboys' football team under head coach Pat Jones from 1990-92. After serving in that capacity at OSU, he moved to Edmond to teach and also coach football and baseball from 1992-2000.

"I believe in a citizen legislature and feel that my background in finance, teaching and coaching lends me a great skill set to go down there and get things accomplished, Idleman said."

"I am also very concerned about the role of money in politics, and plan on proving we don't need to spend several thousand dollars to win a $38,000 a year job. I've knocked hundreds and hundreds of doors, so far and have had a great response by the voters. I plan on just out working my opponents!" said Idleman.

Idleman is currently a small businessman. He owns a court reporting business and is a Regional VP for Primerica Financial Services.

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Health Care Services Bill Goes To Henry

Legislation encouraging charitable and faith-based groups to take a stronger role in providing health care services to Oklahoma's poor now awaits Governor Henry's signature, the bill's author said today.

House Bill 3143 creates the Compassionate Care Task Force. The group's mission will be to encourage voluntary and faith-based provision of free health services.

"State government must actively support the efforts of charitable health providers in every way possible," said Rep.Lance Cargill, R-Harrah. "Faith-based groups have a long and successful track record when it comes to providing for the poor, including health care services. We need to remove any roadblocks that hinder their efforts to serve and work in a collaborative way to address the needs of thousands of Oklahomans who lack adequate health insurance and medical care."

Cargill noted the legislation is similar to a law he authored last year allowing faith-based groups the opportunity to provide prison rehabilitation services.

The idea is also a result of Cargill's 100 Ideas initiative, which solicited ideas from the citizens of Oklahoma.

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Cargill: Reynolds Spins 'Web of Deceit About Me'

State Rep. Lance Cargill (R-Harrah) issued the following statement in response to the claims of Rep. Mike Reynolds (R-Oklahoma City):

“In an open forum of the Ethics Commission today, Rep. Mike Reynolds apparently accused me of being behind an effort to pass legislation to fire the director of the Ethics Commission and install a gubernatorial appointee.

“That claim is 100 percent false. I am not the author of that bill – Rep. Ken Miller is – and Rep. Miller has informed the press that I have never even had a conversation with him about this bill. This is just another example of the completely false and reckless attacks that are par for the course for Rep. Reynolds.

“I was not even aware of any such provision until today. As it turns out, Rep. Reynolds was alluding to a section that would make all executive branch agency directors, such as the Ethics Commission, gubernatorial appointees.

“Reynolds claimed before the Commission that he had saved them from the bill. But to further highlight Rep. Reynolds’ deception on this issue, far from ‘saving’ the Ethics Commission, he actually voted FOR the bill!

“I have serious concerns about Rep. Reynolds’ actions apart from just these false statements. He often makes charges against political officials of both parties, yet routinely appears before the commission to make statements of a nature that suggests he is attempting to curry favor with them. His false and misleading claims about saving the commission from my supposed attempts to hurt them are just the latest example. In a court of law when cases are pending, litigants are not allowed to talk to judges or attempt to influence them in any way. Rep. Reynolds’ actions at the Ethics Commission appear to violate that principle.

“Finally, earlier today, in an article that appears to have had no fact checking, the Tulsa World reported that the commission ‘applauded Reynolds’ during Friday’s meeting and demanded that lawmakers explain their actions, apparently believing Reynolds false claims. There is no better proof than his actions today that the commissioners should be very careful about believing anything Rep. Reynolds says. His track record of distortions and political dirty tricks is long. And today Reynolds spun a web of deceit about me for the commission that was completely false and reckless.”

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Committee Approves Better Oklahoma Welcome

Visitors to Oklahoma would be welcomed by new improved points of entry under legislation approved by a House committee.

House Bill 2944 would create "First Impression Zones" at the state line to better proclaim Oklahoma's virtues.

"Oklahoma is a great state, but we often fail to tout that fact as aggressively as we should," said Rep. Lance Cargill, R-Harrah. "By creating First Impression Zones, we will be able to sell Oklahoma's greatness in a concentrated, focused way that ultimately increases tourism and boosts our state economy."

The proposal is a result of Cargill's 100 Ideas initiative,which solicited ideas from the citizens of Oklahoma.

If House Bill 2944 becomes law, the First Impression Zones would provide information about the growth of the state, the history ofthe state, cultural features, travel amenities, and tourism opportunities to travelers and the public when they first enter Oklahoma at major points of entry along interstate highways. The legislation calls for information to be distributed using various methods and media including, but not limited to, signs, billboards, radio broadcasts, audio-visual materials, electronic kiosks, interactive electronic data, and podcasts.

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Compassionate Care Task Force Bill Due Vote

A bill by former House Speaker Lance Cargill that encourages charitable and faith-based groups to take a stronger role in providing health care services to Oklahoma's poor is headed to the House floor.

House Bill 3143 creates the Compassionate Care Task Force. The group's mission will be to encourage voluntary and faith-based provision of free health services.

"The state needs to actively support the efforts of charitable health providers in every way possible," said Cargill, R-Harrah. "Faith-based groups particularly have a long and successful track record when it comes to providing for the poor, including health care services. We need to remove any roadblocks that may hinder their efforts to serve and work in a collaborative way to address the needs of thousands of Oklahomans who lack adequate health insurance and medical care."

Cargill noted the legislation is similar to a law he authored last year allowing faith-based groups the opportunity to provide prison rehabilitation services.

The idea is also a result of Cargill's 100 Ideas initiative,which solicited ideas from the citizens of Oklahoma.

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Cargill Pushes 'American Dream Act'

Standing before a new house in north Oklahoma City, former House Speaker Lance Cargill today urged lawmakers to enact the "The American Dream Act" to help first-time homebuyers purchase similar dwellings across the state.

"Home ownership is the foundation of 'the American Dream,' for most families," said Cargill, R-Harrah. "This plan puts that dream within reach for more Oklahomans and will help citizens avoid the pitfalls that created our current mortgage crisis."

House Bill 3392, "The American Dream Act," by Cargill, R-Harrah, and Marian Cooksey, R-Edmond, would create a tax-free savings plan similar to the state's plan that allows tax-free savings for college tuition. Under the bill's provisions, a first-time Oklahoma homebuyer would be able to make annual tax-free deposits into the account for a maximum of five years to be used as a down payment on the purchase of a home.

The idea for the savings plan was generated as the result of Oklahoma's 100 Ideas Initiative, which was spearheaded by Cargill, and is included in the recently published book, "100 Ideas - Innovation forthe Second Century."

The measure would authorize an annual deduction of up to$2,500 for single filers and $5,000 for joint married filers for every dollar deposited into the home savings account. The maximum deduction over a five-year period would be $12,500 for single filers and $25,000 for joint married filers.

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HOPE Rewards Act Passes House Committee

The Higher Outcomes in Performance and Education (HOPE) Rewards Act for Oklahoma teachers passed out of committee Wednesday.

House Bill 3390 will create a performance pay pilot program for up to 25 schools.

“In the 21st Century, Oklahoma must move past the days of paying teachers based solely on their years of service,” said author of the bill Rep. Lance Cargill, R-Harrah. “This bill offers hope and extra rewards for those teachers who are going the extra mile for our children. Our best teachers deserve more than just average pay.”

Performance pay for teachers is included on the House Republican agenda for this session.

“We want to empower teachers to take ownership of academic success in their classrooms,” said House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa.

Schools will apply to take part in the program, and those selected will be allowed to craft their plan according to local wants and needs. The plan would have to meet a certain set of criteria, but beyond that the operation will be up to the local school, said Rep. Tad Jones, chairman of the House Education Committee and a co-author of the bill.

“There are no mandates in this legislation—school districts can decide if they want to participate and if they do, they are able to craft a plan around their local needs,” said Jones, R-Claremore.

However, a House Democratic Caucus leader and vocal opponent of the Pay for Performance Plan on education expressed alarm regarding the bill.

“This bill does nothing to address the issues that are facing Oklahoma’s schools,” said Rep. Jerry McPeak, D-Warner. “The last thing we need to do is encourage schools to take up another program that will drain school budgets and demoralize our teachers.”

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