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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New License Plate Part Of 'Spy Cam' Plan?

[UPDATED] Governor Henry's plan to install more than 220 highway "spy" cameras to record vehicle license plates has been flying below the radar in state government for years and despite a few sporadic news stories, the full extent of the system, and those involved in implementing it, has not become apparent until now.

Read all of The McCarville Report Online's revealing stories by clicking on InsureNet Oklahoma in "Labels" below.

It appears planning for the system has been underway for at least four years.

Henry's budget proposal listed the system as the generator of $50 million in new revenue for the state. But in all the discussions, there's been no public mention that can be found of the tiny barcodes on the new plates.

The new license plates were designed to allow the use of highway "spy cameras" to read them and identify the vehicle as insured or uninsured, state records show.

The plates, first issued last year, contain the small barcode across the bottom on the right that is inconspicuous and not noticed by most owners. The sample plates issued by the state and distributed to the media did not contain a barcode sample; that space was empty. Defenders of the system say today that the barcode is not part of the highway camera plan.

The new plate movement sparked interest more than a year ago when Republican Rep. Ken Miller discussed his House Bill 2013, and what he said was the need for a new plate design, on the House floor. During the discussion, he was questioned by Reps. Charles Key and Mike Reynolds.

At one point in the discussion, Miller was asked if there had been discussion between involved parties and InsureNet and if the new or altered language is the result of that communication. Miller said (paraphrasing) that, “Yes,” there had been communication and while InsureNet submitted suggestions, none of their language was used.

Reynolds asked what would be InsureNet’s interest in changes. Miller says because they (InsureNet) would like to be the carrier (for a new highway camera license-reading system).

Miller said he has never advocated the highway camera plan, that his desire to see a new license plate for the state is not related to the plan in any way, and that the barcode is not a part of the technology.

InsureNet technology assigns a "UC", (Unique Code), to each combination of policy and VIN, (Vehicle Identification Number), which becomes the 'bridge' between insurers and government entities and records. In other words, the code allows instant access to information about the vehicle and its owner.

The use of codes on license plates has raised privacy concerns; in Nevada, gun owners protested a similar plan because they said it would allow others to trace them by using their license plate information. InsureNet assures that privacy is protected, but skeptics remain.

Said Reynolds of the highway cameras last year: “That’s a horrible idea. It’s Big Brother at its finest.”

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ACORN Official Says Nothing Done Wrong Here

An official with the controversial and embattled ACORN organization denies his group did anything wrong in Oklahoma and alleges documents retrieved from computers appear to be "partially doctored."

Brian Kettering, deputy director of national operations for ACORN, told The Oklahoman, "The documents that we have seen — ostensibly taken from these computers — do not appear to reflect the work of ACORN in Oklahoma and appear to be partially doctored versions of some ACORN documents.”

Rep. Mike Reynolds released documents earlier this week which he said show ACORN focused on helping Democrats in three legislative races in the 2008 election and had developed a plan to become influential in state politics within five years.

Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, said the documents were recovered from two computers abandoned by ACORN workers in Oklahoma City. Reynolds said he bought the computers from the landlord of an ACORN office in Oklahoma City after the group stopped paying its lease on the office. The computers were password-protected, but he found the passwords in a drawer, he said.

"We consider our computers to be stolen property, the contents thereof stolen work product,” Kettering said in an e-mail response Wednesday to The Oklahoman.

In Florida, where an investigation into alleged voter fraud by ACORN workers is underway, Kettering said earlier this week the group worked "while the right wing noise machine was fabricating lies about us."

Last year, in defending ACORN's voter registration efforts, Kettering said, “There is an orchestrated campaign – coming from the right – that is ultimately about voter suppression.”

Read more at http://www.newsok.com/acorn-leader-denies-claims-of-political-work-in-oklahoma/article/3405310#ixzz0SgbqKkYo.

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Retrieved Computer Document Puts Rice In Middle Of Democratic Party, ACORN Conspiracy

A document obtained from an abandoned Oklahoma City ACORN office computer purports to put Senator Andrew Rice, the new leader of Senate Democrats, in the middle of a conspiracy between ACORN and the Oklahoma Democratic Party to target legislative Republicans and elect Democrats.

The document is a letter on ACORN letterhead with Rice's printed name at the bottom; whether the letter was a draft for Oklahoma Cityan Rice to send, and if it was sent, is not known. The letter urges the Citizenship and Immigration Service to expedite the processing of immigrant citizenship applications.

Rice said he didn't write the letter and had no association with ACORN.

ACORN is under investigation in numerous states for alleged illegal activity on behalf of Democrats. Last week, the Census Bureau announced that it would not allow the federally-funded ACORN to participate in the 2010 national population count. Also last week, prosecutors in south Florida arrested 11 ACORN employees on charges of falsifying hundreds of voter applications, including some involving illegal immigrants, during a registration drive last year. And some ACORN employees were fired after telling two undercover videographers posing as a prostitute and her pimp on how to circumvent the law and obtain federal funds. Multiple federal and state investigations of the group are underway.

During the 2008 presidential race, Republican John McCain tried, unsuccessfully, to link Democrat Barack Obama to the group. Since, the link has become clearer. See http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NDZiMjkwMDczZWI5ODdjOWYxZTIzZGIyNzEyMjE0ODI= for details.

ACORN, short for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, started in 1970 in Little Rock, Arkansas to help the poor and today is a national, multimillion-dollar conglomerate. ACORN's political action committee endorsed Obama for president, and his campaign paid an ACORN subsidiary $832,000 to help get out the vote. Obama, himself a former community organizer, has long-standing ties to the group, which he represented in 1995 in a lawsuit against the state of Illinois over the "motor-voter" law.

There's more: Patrick Gaspard, considered one of the most powerful figures in the Obama White House, is a longtime ACORN operative and former union official described by ACORN itself as "ACORN's man in the White House."

ACORN's Oklahoma City office was closed and abandoned last year and Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, obtained a computer from the office. He was able to retrieve numerous documents, including those reported on by radio station KTOK, and this undated document, on ACORN letterhead:

Dear USCIS

I am writing to request that you take all measures necessary to expedite the processing of immigrant citizen applications, in order to make the dreams of hard working people who contribute much to our communities a reality.

Currently, there is a longer than expected waiting period, for the processing of the N-400 citizenship applications.

This past year the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) raised the application fee to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. According to the USCIS the revenue from the fee increase will "enable a 20 percent reduction in average application processing times" One of the application types that the USCIS claims will see a decrease in processing times is the N-400; which it states "will improve from seven months to five months", by the end of 2008. Currently, the stated processing time for the N-400 is 6 to 7 months. Many immigrants are now experiencing a 1 year or more waiting period, as opposed to the seven months claimed by the USCIS.

As you can appreciate, this is a serious obstacle, for these hard working people, on their path to full citizenship. Many come to the United States, in hopes of making a better life for themselves and their families. These hard working people have followed all the rules and have yet to see the fruits of their labors. Instead, they are facing long waiting periods and an endless bureaucracy that is turning the American dream into a nightmare.

I believe citizenship is an important American value and I believe the USCIS should address the problem of the backlog. I further believe that the USCIS should live up to its word and take all measures within its power to make this process more efficient and speedier. We are asking that you support and make the dreams of these eligible persons, so that they may become full participating members of our community, with all the rights and privileges that come with US citizenship. We thank you for your support, on this important issue.

Thank You Andrew Rice Oklahoma State Senator

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Documents Link Oklahoma Democrats, ACORN

By Jerry Bohnen/NewsRadio 1000 KTOK ~ Even as ACORN faces more allegations of wrongdoing nationally, claims are leveled against the organization by Oklahoma Republicans that it received possible illegal help from the State Democratic party in targeting GOP legislators for defeat.

The allegations come from state GOP chairman Gary Jones and Republican State Representative Mike Reynolds of Oklahoma City.

A spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Democratic party declined to comment to the claims.

Jones and Reynolds maintain that documents gleaned from an abandoned ACORN computer in south Oklahoma City are the basis for their allegations.

Reynolds, a computer expert, obtained the computer after ACORN abandoned the office and left behind a computer and hundreds of files and papers. The office landlord was going to trash the materials but referred them to Reynolds, as KTOK reported last year prior to the November elections. Now Reynolds has managed to retrieve the files from the computer and they reveal what appears to be a direct and close-working relationship between ACORN and state Democrats.

In one document, ACORN planned to target five different Senate and House seats and wanted to defeat Republican legislators and elect Democrats. View PDF Document. The districts in question were Senate Districts 33 and 43 and House Districts 85, 87 and 93.

Another document indicated ACORN's plans to take control of city halls in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Still another under ACORN letterhead was a letter sent out under the name of an Oklahoma City Democratic State Senator (Andrew Rice).

"The route to power is two fold," said one ACORN document. "First, build powerful city organizations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa that can control these municipalities."

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Reynolds Seeks Probe Of Investment Board

Rep. Mike Reynolds wants an investigation of the Oklahoma Capital Investment Board. He says the board has sold tax credits to support a state-operated venture capital investment program without following statutory requirements.

The board was created in 1987 and has $100 million in tax credits at its disposal to use as incentives for companies.

Reynolds says the agency has no employees and its daily operations have actually been contracted to an outside firm, which apparently is not required to provide information to lawmakers or members of the public under the state's Open Records Act.

Reynolds says he believes the board is not complying with the state statutes that govern it.

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Reynolds Questions Caucus Use Of State Facilities

Rep. Mike Reynolds has asked Attorney General Drew Edmondson for a legal opinion on the use of state-owned facilities by political caucuses.

Reynolds' request followed a letter from a member of his own Republican Caucus, Rep. Ken Miller of Edmond, who wrote to members on House stationary about his campaign to become speaker of the House. Miller and Rep. Kris Steele of Shawnee seek the speaker's seat. Reynolds said his request was not directed at Miller.

Reynolds said he wants to know if it's constitutional to use state-owned computers and envelopes to support caucus issues.

Reynolds says he doesn't understand how the Republican and Democratic caucuses in the Legislature can use state resources for their own benefit.

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Ritze, Reynolds Want Judge Ousted

Two lawmakers want a McAlester judge to be removed from office following a controversial sentencing decision, they said today.

House Resolution 1065, by Reps. Mike Ritze and Mike Reynolds, calls for the Oklahoma House of Representatives to petition the Trial Division of the Court on the Judiciary to assume jurisdiction and institute proceedings to remove District Judge Thomas Bartheld, Pittsburg County Judge of the Eighteenth Judicial District, from office.

The resolution cites “gross neglect of duty” as the reason for removal.

“The people in Oklahoma must have confidence in the courts to deliver impartial justice,” said Ritze, R-Broken Arrow. “Clearly, that did not happen in this case and I have heard from many constituents who are outraged.”

“While it would be simpler and better if the governor or attorney general would step up and take this action, we have filed the resolution to ensure the process can move forward regardless,” said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City.

David Harold Earls, 64, was recently sentenced to a year in prison for raping a four-year-old girl in Pittsburg County. The sentence was the result of a plea agreement reached by prosecutors and the defense attorney.

The sentence and Bartheld have received national attention and criticism as a result of the case.

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Reynolds Questions School Sick Leave Pay

From www.tulsaworld.com ~ A state representative seeking an investigation into whether Broken Arrow schools broke the law when it paid some employees for unused sick leave said he was misled by a school attorney who told him the payments were not illegal.

Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, said he obtained a copy of a 2004 letter written by one of the school's attorneys, J. Douglas Mann, addressed to the school's human resources director and labeled as "personal and confidential involving attorney/client privilege," stating that it was against the law for the school to pay teachers that were still employed with the district for unused sick leave.

Reynolds said he forwarded a memorandum to State Auditor and Inspector Steve Burrage and Tulsa County District Attorney Tim Harris to facilitate an investigation of the school district.

"As I have previously stated, it is my understanding that the Broken Arrow school district provided employees as much as $242,000 in apparently illegal payments for unused sick leave," Reynolds said. "District officials have insisted that the practice was legal, but it is now clear their own attorney disagreed."

Read the entire story at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=12&articleid=20090505_19_A9_Astate764284.

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House Approves Office Vacancy Bill

The House voted today to change the way vacancies in statewide offices are filled.

House Bill 1322, by Rep. Mike Reynolds, would allow Oklahoma voters, not the governor, to choose the person who fills any vacated statewide office.

Reynolds filed the legislation to prevent any scandals from occurring similar to the one experience recently in Illinois, where Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was accused of trying to “sell” an appointment to the then-vacant U.S. Senate seat.

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Reynolds: Pastor Not Due Special Treatment

Rep. Mike Reynolds said today legislators have no reason to apologize for their vote to oppose special privileges for a homosexual pastor.

“I cannot recall a time when the House previously voted to include the pre-prayer comments of any pastor of any background in the official House journal,” said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. “We have typically included sermons given by pastors in the journal, but not random comments made before a prayer. The only discrimination being advocated here is coming from homosexual activists demanding special rights and privileges that others do not receive.”

This week the Rev. Scott Jones, a local gay minister, gave the opening prayer for the House session. Before giving the prayer, he introduced people in the gallery, including his “loving” partner, another man.

After the prayer, one legislator asked that the pastor’s “remarks” be included in the official House journal, which indicated that both the prayer and earlier comments would be transcribed – a practice that is “unheard of” based on past precedent, Reynolds noted.
As a result, Reynolds and 19 other House members voted against placing those comments into the record.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State today criticized the vote “to not include the comments and prayer” of Rev. Scott.

“Typically, Americans United for Separation of Church and State can’t wait to criticize religious leaders,” Reynolds said. “Apparently, the group’s situational ethics require defending a gay pastor but not a sectarian Ten Commandments monument. The hypocrisy is astounding.

“I think most Oklahomans see this ‘controversy’ for what it is: a fringe group upset that some lawmakers actually believe ‘equality’ really does mean treating everyone the same.”

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House Panel Approves Office Vacancy Change

The House Rules Committee today voted to change the way vacancies in statewide offices are filled.

House Bill 1322, by Rep. Mike Reynolds, would allow Oklahoma voters, not the governor, to choose the person who fills any vacated statewide office.

Reynolds filed the legislation to prevent any scandals from occurring similar to the one experience recently in Illinois, where Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was accused of trying to “sell” an appointment to the then-vacant U.S. Senate seat.

“The appointment power can easily be abused and Oklahoma has seen more than its share of corruption already,” said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. “My bill will simply remove that temptation and ensure the people of Oklahoma choose the people they want to serve in office.”

If any major office is vacated before the end of the officeholder’s current term that position would remain unfilled until the next general election under the proposal. Currently, the governor is allowed to appoint a successor.

Reynolds noted that Governor Henry actually endorsed a similar course of action when former State Auditor Jeff McMahan was under federal investigation. During that controversy, Henry urged McMahan to step aside during the investigation. McMahan later resigned from office after being convicted.

Reynolds also noted that vacancies in the state Legislature are filled through the election process and not by gubernatorial appointment.

In recent years, two major statewide officeholders have resigned due to legal troubles: McMahan and former Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher. Other vacancies have occurred in the offices of State Treasurer and Corporation Commissioner.

The bill passed out of the House Rules committee and now proceeds to the floor of the House for action.

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Reynolds To McMahan: Fess Up

Rep. Mike Reynolds today urged former State Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan to cooperate with federal investigators working to weed out corruption in Oklahoma government.

“When he was sentenced this week, Mister McMahan indicated he was simply a ‘naïve’ man caught up in a corrupt system,” said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. “If that’s the case, Mister McMahan should specifically identify all the individuals engaged in corruption. There’s no reason to shield those people from prosecutors.”

McMahan was sentenced this week to eight years and one month in federal prison as the result of a public corruption case that involved illegal campaign contributions and the acceptance of bribes.

In court papers, McMahan claimed that he and his wife were “politically naive newcomers” who got caught up in an already corrupt system, according to the Tulsa World.

“I agree with Mister McMahan on one thing: He was involved in a corrupt system,” Reynolds said. “However, so far he has refused to identify that corruption and provide evidence to federal investigators. It’s time he backs with rhetoric with action. I agree with Mister McMahan on one thing: He was involved in a corrupt system,” Reynolds said.

“However, so far he has refused to identify that corruption and provide evidence to federal investigators. Rather than looking for sympathy, I suggest he instead look for atonement by revealing the names of the people that corrupted him and help rid Oklahoma of this corruption.”

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Reynolds Cites Illinois Scandal, Wants To Remove Governor's Appointment Authority

State Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, wants to remove the governor's authority to fill vacant statewide offices.

Reynolds said that in light of allegations that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich tried to “sell” an appointment to the now-vacant U.S. Senate seat in that state, he will file legislation that would allow Oklahoma voters, not the governor, to choose the person who fills any vacated statewide office.

If any major office is vacated before the end of the officeholder’s current term that position would remain unfilled until the next general election under the proposal. Currently, the governor is allowed to appoint a successor.

“The Illinois scandal makes clear that the appointment power can easily be abused and we’ve had more than our share of corruption in Oklahoma already,” said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. “My proposal will simply remove that temptation and ensure the people of Oklahoma get to choose the people they want in office.”

Reynolds noted that Governor Henry actually endorsed a similar course of action when former State Auditor Jeff McMahan was under federal investigation. During that controversy, Henry urged McMahan to step aside during the investigation. McMahan later resigned from office after being convicted.

Reynolds also noted that vacancies in the state Legislature are filled through the election process and not by gubernatorial appointment.

In recent years, two major statewide officeholders have resigned due to legal troubles: McMahan and former Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher. Other vacancies have occurred in the offices of State Treasurer and Corporation Commissioner.

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State House Closer To Paperless Operation

State House members can now file bills electronically, increasing efficiency and moving the state one step closer to a “paperless” government, Speaker Chris Benge said today.

Benge said the new electronic bill filing system is one of the first in the nation and puts Oklahoma at the forefront of developing and using new technologies to make government more efficient and cost-effective.

“House Republicans have supported streamlining government and making the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars, and that goes for us as well,” said Benge, R-Tulsa.

Until this year, members filed their bills in person, which then were hand numbered by the House Bill Clerk. Each member is allowed to file as many as eight separate bills. Each individual bill packet contained six copies of each bill that would be hand-numbered. Last year, the House Chief Clerk’s Office reported that more than 1,200 bills were filed, meaning more than 7,200 bills were hand numbered.

To complete the process, additional staff was forced to leave their work and pitch in.

Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, filed the first bill using the new system and Rep. David Dank filed the first resolution. Dank said the system will go a long way toward simplifying the bill filing process and freeing up valuable time.

“I thought it was just outstanding,” said Dank, R-Oklahoma City. “It was very user-friendly and really uncomplicated. These may seem like little things, but it allows us to focus more on the work that we were sent here to do.”

Benge said that since Republicans took control of the House in 2004, they have attempted to bring the legislative process into the 21st century by introducing new technology, including implementing wireless Internet service in the House, providing each representative with a laptop computer for the first time and creating an electronic system that allows members to file amendments to bills and access the House Calendar from the chamber floor.

Benge said the computer programmers at the Legislative Services Bureau and the staff in the House Chief Clerk’s Office deserve all the credit for the idea and the time spent designing the system.

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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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Reynolds Returns Improper Donations

By Mick Hinton/Capitol Bureau, Tulsa World ~ Rep. Mike Reynolds, who has accused the governor of making illegal campaign donations, recently returned contributions he received in violation of an ethics rule, records show.

A state Ethics Commission rule states that six months must pass before a candidate can accept a maximum $5,000 donation from the same contributor for two separate committees.

Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, accepted contributions for both his 2006 and 2008 campaign accounts from two people during six-month periods.

"It was a rule I was not aware of," he said Friday. "As soon as I found out I was in violation, I corrected it."

Records indicate that Reynolds accepted contributions three months apart that exceeded the $5,000 limit from Ralph Harvey, president of Marlin Oil of Oklahoma City. Reynolds returned $5,000 to Harvey on July 22.

Ethics Commission records also show that Mike Marshall, CEO of 5 Star Co. of Oklahoma City, gave $2,500 to Reynolds' 2006 committee on Jan. 31, 2007, and $5,000 to Reynolds' 2008 committee on May 29, 2007. Reynolds returned $5,000 to Marshall on Aug. 1. That same day, Marshall wrote another check for $5,000 to Reynolds because the six-month waiting period had elapsed.

Reynolds this week accused Gov. Brad Henry of illegally contributing $5,000 in excess campaign funds to the Young Democrats in 2006 and 2008. Reynolds said the group is not connected to the state party and thus was ineligible for the contribution. State Democratic Party Chairman Ivan Holmes said Reynolds failed to do his research because the group is affiliated with the Democratic Central Committee.

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Reynolds Questions Henry Contributions

UPDATED ~ An Oklahoma Democratic Party official says these criticisms are off base since the Young Democrats of Oklahoma is an affiliate of the state party.

Governor Henry has apparently given $10,000 in illegal contributions to a partisan organization according to Ethics Commission records, Rep. Mike Reynolds said today.

Campaign reports, Reynolds said, show that Henry donated $5,000 of his surplus campaign funds to the Young Democrats of Oklahoma in 2007 and again in 2008. However, Reynolds said, it is illegal for a candidate to give his or her campaign funds to any partisan organization other than a state party and its affiliates (county parties).

As a result, the Young Democrats of Oklahoma are not an official party affiliate under campaign finance law and cannot legally receive the governor’s surplus funds.

“These transactions are an obvious violation of state law,” said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. “Our state leaders must be held to high ethical standards that ensure fair and legally funded elections in Oklahoma. The governor’s actions do not pass that test.”

After the Young Democrats of Oklahoma received Henry’s contributions, Reynolds said that money may have been illegally used to fund the campaigns of Democratic candidates.

However, the Young Democrats of Oklahoma have failed to file any reports with the state Ethics Commission since early 2008, missing several legally required reporting deadlines that would have revealed how Henry’s money was expended.

“I don’t know why the Young Democrats would repeatedly fail to file reports in advance of the election if they have nothing to hide,” Reynolds said.

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Key, Reynolds Applaud Bailout Opposition

A pair of state legislators praised congressional lawmakers for opposing a mammoth bailout of financial lenders, saying the plan undermines the free market and public trust.

“My dad always said a good deal today will still be a good deal tomorrow, so I see no reason to rush this bailout plan through Congress without careful review,” said state Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. “As it is now written, the plan will simply incentivize bad business practices and lead to further disruption of our economy.”

“This bailout plan is nothing more than an attempt to protect poorly run businesses from the consequences of bad management decisions using taxpayer money,” said state Rep. Charles Key, R-Oklahoma City. “For free markets to work, private businesses must be allowed to succeed or fail based solely on their ability to turn a profit and not their ability to exploit political connections.”

Reynolds and Key said it is “morally indefensible” to force financially responsible Oklahoma businesses and families to foot the bill for national lenders “who couldn’t pass an economics 101 class.”

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Terrill, Reynolds Relish Big Primary Wins

By Mick Hinton/Capitol Bureau, Tulsa World ~ Despite big corporate bucks contributed to his opponent's campaign, embattled Rep. Randy Terrill, the author of tough anti-immigration legislation, won a huge victory in Tuesday's primary election.

Terrill, R-Moore, amassed nearly 75 percent of the vote, trouncing a newcomer, Curtis Bruehl of Norman.

The victor declared the race a referendum on House Bill 1804, termed the most rigid immigration legislation in the country.

But the head of the House GOP caucus attributed Terrill's victory to his making face-to-face contact with constituents.

"The key buzzword is 'retail' politics," said caucus Chairman John Wright of Broken Arrow, who on Wednesday was analyzing the outcome of primary races. Contributions only go so far in electing a candidate, Wright said.

Some top Oklahoma City business leaders gave maximum $5,000 contributions to Bruehl. Terrill lashed out at Aubrey McClendon, the head of Chesapeake Energy; Larry Nichols, the head of Devon Energy; and Bob Funk, a Republican supporter who runs Express Personnel Services.

He said the voters had spoken against the "Chesapeake-Devon-Express Personnel oligarchy, giving Terrill 1 and them, O."

Chambers of commerce and many business leaders now see the legislation as hurting the state's economy and imposing unrealistic regulations on employers. Tom Price, a spokesman for Chesapeake Energy, said Wednesday that Terrill "is not deserving of us to comment on him in particular."

"We just are not supportive of those interested in being negative and critical of business," Price said. "This is not restricted to Randy."

Nichols could not be reached for comment, and Funk chose not to comment on Terrill's assessment.

Wright also credited political footwork for the victory of another GOP incumbent, Rep. Mike Reynolds, in his southern Oklahoma City race. McClendon, Nichols and other top leaders including Clay Bennett each gave $5,000 to Reynolds' opponent, Jon Echols. Bennett is a major owner of the franchise to bring a professional basketball team to Oklahoma.

Campaign finance records show that Echols raised more than $75,000 in his campaign while Reynolds raised about $43,000. Usually incumbents far out-raise their opponents. Reynolds, who relishes being a gadfly in the House, is often at odds with his own caucus. He says those business leaders don't support him because of his stance on one issue: He opposes the Legislature's helping bring a professional basketball team to Oklahoma City. Reynolds also supported the anti-immigration bill. He said, "I don't find anywhere that it's the responsibility of government to promote business."

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