McCain Leader Worthen Praises VEEP Pick

Rep. Trebor Worthen, Oklahoma co-chairman of the John McCain campaign, today praised McCain's selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate.

"I commend John McCain on his excellent choice of Governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate," Worthen said. "Governor Palin is a terrific chief executive who has a strong record of delivering the kind of reforms in Alaska that we desperately need in Washinton. She has challenged corruption, fought special interests, and worked with both parties to accomplish great things for her state. Governor Palin is ideally suited to be the next Vice President of the United States."

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Worthen, Lamb Demand 'Unethical' Working Oklahomans Alliance Donations Be Returned

Republican House and Senate leaders today criticized the "dishonest and underhanded fundraising tactics of the Working Oklahomans Alliance political action committee" and called on the dozens of Democratic members, candidates and PACs who received money from the group to return all contributions immediately.

The Oklahoman reported Sunday that many of the 2,200 individual contributors since 2006 to the Working Oklahomans Alliance were unaware they were donating to political campaigns.

The money was often deducted from workers' compensation claim checks intended to pay for medical expenses and necessities while a worker is unable to work.

"I am appalled by the actions of the Working Oklahomans Alliance PAC and the deceptive tactics they have used to swindle working Oklahoma families out of their hard-earned dollars," said Rep. Trebor Worthen, a member of the House Republican leadership team and political director for the House Republican campaign activities.

"I demand that those PACs, members and candidates who received donations from this unethical PAC return this tainted money; money that was taken off the backs, and sometimes the broken backs, of hardworking, injured Oklahomans."

With ever-growing health insurance costs and higher food and fuel prices, many of the workers quoted in the story said they could have used the money unknowingly taken from them for political campaigns to buy groceries for their families or a tank of gas for their cars.

"The deceitful tactics used by these workers' compensation attorneys to gather these donations are reminiscent of old Louisiana-style corruption. We don't need this kind of politics in Oklahoma, so we're hopeful that the Democrat candidates and PACs who took this dirty money will agree with us and return these contributions," said Senator Todd Lamb, R-Oklahoma City/Edmond. "The attorneys involved in this secretive scheme have proven they will stop at nothing to funnel money to candidates who will block workers' compensation reform, lawsuit reform, and other pro-jobs reforms that would benefit Oklahoma workers," Lamb said.

The Working Oklahomans Alliance gave to a dozen Democratic House and Senate members and candidates in 2008, and has given to many others previously. The PAC also gave thousands in contributions to both the House and Senate Democratic fundraising committees.

"Like the recent federal investigation of former Senator Gene Stipe, this deceitful behavior could go beyond mere state ethics violations. This could be the tip of the iceberg," said Worthen, R-Oklahoma City.

Worthen and Lamb called on the following members and candidates who received the tainted contributions to return them immediately to the workers who desperately need those funds, some of whom are unemployed as a result of their injury. They also urged House and Senate Democratic leadership to return the PAC funds they have received and to not accept further contributions from this group until they change their deceptive and misleading tactics on innocent and often injured workers.

Recent Working Oklahoman's Alliance contributions: Senators Nancy Riley, $5,000; Richard Lerblance, $5,000; Senate candidate Robert Murphy, $5,000; Rep. Eric Proctor, $750; Sen. Tom Adelson, $5,000; Democrats of the Oklahoma State Senate, $10,000; Oklahoma House PAC, $5,000; Sen. Charlie Laster, $2,500; Rep. Mike Shelton, $1,500; Rep. Anastasia Pitman, $1,000; Rep. Jerry Elli, $1,250; Rep. Jabar Shumate, $1,500; Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, $5,000; WIN PAC, $5,000; Rep. Scott Inman, $2,000; Organized Democratic Youth, $5,000.

Other House and Senate members who have received contributions in past election cycles from the PAC include Reps. Wallace Collins, Al Lindley, Richard Morrissette, Ken Luttrell, Ryan McMullen, Jeannie McDaniel, Randy Terrill, and Sens. Daisy Lawler, Randy Bass, Tom Ivester, Andrew Rice, Sean Burrage, and John Sparks.

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Johnson Responds To Murphy's Statement

A spokesman for State Rep. Rob Johnson's campaign for Corporation Commissioner said today that Dana Murphy's response to a challenge of her candidacy by Johnson is meant to distract voters from her own mistake.

"Thanks to her recent press release, Dana has confirmed exactly what we suspected: that she filed an invalid declaration of candidacy," said spokesman Rep. Trebor Worthen.

[Video of Murphy's filing has been posted by John Angier at Okie Campaigns.]

"Since she is an attorney, I would think she would know better than to alter a notorized document," said Worthen. "Someone seeking an office that is charged with interpreting laws and regulating a key part of our economy should be competent enough to follow our election laws, just like hundreds of other candidates. But given Dana's history of altering documents, I'm not surprised at this kind of behavior."

Worthen's statement said that, "In 2002, when Murphy first sought a seat on the Corporation Commission, her two Republican opponents produced evidence of document forgery involving an oil and gas lease, and accused her of other unethical behavior. Though Murphy was quick to deny the allegations, she has never fully answered the questions surrounding those issues."

"Dana likes to talk about her qualifications for office. I believe the first qualification is to have a high standard of ethical conduct," said Worthen. "Her past actions call in to serious question whether she has the proper ethics to be a public servant."

A hearing to determine whether Murphy will remain on the ballot will be held this coming Friday, June 13.

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Brogdon, Worthen Honored By OFRG

Oklahomans for Responsible Government (OFRG) has named Senator Randy Brogdon (R-Owasso) and Rep. Trebor Worthen (R-Oklahoma City) as the 2008 OFRG Legislators of the Year.

OFRG is a leading taxpayer advocacy group dedicated to promoting fiscal responsibility, transparency and accountability in state government.

OFRG selected Brogdon and Worthen for their leadership and commitment to supporting such issues as reforming the tort system to save Oklahoma businesses money, lowering the tax burden on hard-working Oklahoma families, school choice and term limits for statewide elected officials, OFRG Executive Director Curt Price said.

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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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Worthen Laments Denial Of COLA

Teachers, firefighters, police officers and public employees were denied a cost of living adjustment following a political stunt by House Democrats late Thursday night, Rep. Trebor Worthen said today.

"House Democrats, led by liberal Oklahoma City Representative Richard Morrissette, were successful in killing the cost of living adjustment that would benefit thousands of retired teachers, firefighters, police officers and other state employees," Worthen said in a news release.

“It is outrageous that House Democrats would band together to kill a bill that would benefit so many of our retirees, many of whom are living on a fixed income,” Worthen added.

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Murphy's Campaign Office Rent Questioned

The race for the Republican nomination for the Corporation Commission is barely underway, but already questions are being raised about contender Dana Murphy's expenditure of just $50 a month in rent for office space from a maxed-out donor.

Murphy is renting an office from Oklahoma City-based Marlin Oil Co., which is owned by her campaign manager, longtime GOP activist and financial supporter Ralph Harvey.

A representative of opponent Rep. Rob Johnson's campaign, Rep. Trebor Worthen, dubbed the rate "a sweetheart deal” and questioned whether it violated ethics rules. That question would involve fair market value.

Harvey already has given the maximum $5,000 contribution to Murphy's campaign, Ethics Commission records show. Giving free office rent, or apparently giving greatly reduced rent that's below fair market value, could be an in-kind contribution and a violation of ethics rules.

Murphy's campaign wrote a $400 check April 1 to pay for rent from December through July, said Stephen Rhymer, Murphy's spokesman. Another $400 check will be paid in August to cover the period from August through the end of this year, he said.

"The rent has been paid and will appear on the next filing,” he told The Oklahoman's Michael McNutt. "Ralph is a supporter of hers and we certainly don't want anybody to think that we're doing something we shouldn't be.”

Rep. Trebor Worthen, who is Johnson's campaign consultant, questioned the rent payments. "It has to be fair-market value,” he said of the rent. He called it a sweetheart deal from a contributor.

Johnson, of Kingfisher, is paying $500 a month for his Oklahoma City campaign office, said Keili Hicks, Johnson's campaign manager.

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Senate Ties On Term Limits Measure

The Senate tied 23-23 when voting on whether to accept House amendments to the statewide term limits bill on Monday and Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, a Democrat, declined to vote because the state Constitution prevents her from voting on an issue that would directly affect her office.

The lieutenant governor can vote to break ties in the Senate, which is currently split between 24 Democrats and 24 Republicans.

Senators Nancy Riley, D-Sand Springs, and Andrew Rice, D-Oklahoma City, did not vote on whether or not to accept House amendments.

Senator Harry Coates, R-Seminole, voted against accepting House amendments. Coates had previously voted for the measure and declined to comment on his vote Monday. Republican Senator Randy Brogdon, author of the measure, said he was "totally shocked" with Coates' vote.

Senate Democrat leaders refused a request to help bring compromise language the bill, Brogdon said.

“Senate Democrat leaders have refused to help us bring the bill out of a conference committee with the changes that were suggested by the Attorney General. So instead of sending this bill to conference, we plan to push ahead for a Senate vote on the bill as it is written. We’re not going to allow the Senate Democrat leadership to quietly kill this issue in a conference committee. There will be a vote,” said Brogdon, R-Owasso, before the vote occurred.

“The intent of the current language is that the term limits apply prospectively, not retroactively. We have made a good faith effort to help reassure the attorney general and others that the term limits won’t be retroactive by agreeing to incorporate General Edmondson’s legislative language in our proposal. So it is very disappointing that Senate Democrat leaders aren’t interested in working with us to make that happen,” Brogdon said.

"All along we have said the intent of this bill is not for it to apply to any seated statewide office holder retroactively, and that is still the case," said Rep. Trebor Worthen, R-Oklahoma City. "We made a good faith effort to work with the attorney general to allay his concerns with the bill, but the Senate Democrats have made it clear they are not willing to continue to work on the language in conference. The people of Oklahoma deserve to have a voice on this issue, so we will move forward with a vote on the bill in its current form."

Brogdon said he is hopeful a majority of senators will support the SB 1987. Seven Democrat senators voted for the term limits bill in March.

“Term limits are good public policy, so I remain hopeful a majority of senators will agree to send this to a vote of the people. It’s hard to envision seven senators flip-flopping just to help the Democrat leadership kill term limits on a partisan, party-line vote,” Brogdon said.

Senator Owen Laughlin, R-Woodward, was the Senate author of SB 1987, but has transferred the bill to Brogdon. It was Brogdon who authored an amendment to the bill on the Senate floor in March to include the term limits referendum. Worthen is the House author of SB 1987.

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House PACs File Finance Reports

From The Tulsa World's Capitol Bureau ~ House Democrats said Wednesday that they raised more than $120,000 at a campaign event featuring Gov. Brad Henry.

But the Republican State House Committee, which works to elect GOP members, has raised considerably more than the Democrats.

About $62,000 was donated at the door of the Democrat fundraiser Tuesday at the Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City, said Rep. Bill Nations, D-Norman, who is the financial officer for House Democrats' fundraising efforts. An additional $62,000 was pledged leading up to the event, he said.

The GOP stated in its report due Tuesday to the state Ethics Commission that it had $237,589 on hand as of March 31. At a fundraiser this month, about $140,000 more was donated, said Rep. Trebor Worthen, R-Oklahoma City.

In all, the Republicans have about $380,000 on hand.

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Statewide Term Limits Measure Passes House

Statewide office holders would be limited to a maximum of 12 years in office if legislation passed out of the House today becomes law.

The change would also have to be approved by a vote of the people this fall.

Currently, state lawmakers are limited to 12 years in office, and the governor is limited to two, four year terms.

Senate Bill 1987, by Rep. Trebor Worthen, would add all statewide elected officials like the lieutenant governor and the attorney general to the state’s term limits law. The governor would remain limited to eight years in office.

“The people of Oklahoma have shown they support term limits as a way to bring fresh ideas into the legislative process,” said Worthen, R-Oklahoma City. “I am confident that if given the chance, they would expand the term limits law to statewide elected officials to ensure they stay accountable to the voters.”

The resolution would appear on the ballot in November, and if approved, would then apply to officeholders first elected in the 2010 election.

The bill passed the House today with a vote of 56-44 and will now return to the Senate for final consideration. The measure does not require the governor’s signature.

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Statewide Term Limits Passes House Panel

Statewide office holders would join state lawmakers with a maximum of 12 years in office if legislation passed out of House committee today becomes law and is approved by the people of Oklahoma.

Currently, state lawmakers are limited to 12 years in office, and the governor is limited to two, four year terms. Senate Bill 1987, by Rep. Trebor Worthen, would add all statewide elected officials like the lieutenant governor and the state treasurer to the state’s term limits law.

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GOP's Jason Nelson Seeks HD 87 Seat

Republican political consultant Jason Nelson will seek the House 87 seat now held by Trebor Worthen, who is not seeking reelection. Nelson filed an Ethics Committeee statement of organization for his campaign committee last Friday.

Nelson joined CMA Strategies as Director of Government Relations in January 2004. Previously, he was Governor Frank Keating's legislative liaison to the Oklahoma House of Representatives during the last three years of Keating's second term. Early in Keating's first term, he served as a policy aide on a wide range of issues including economic development, law enforcement, the environment, transportation and agriculture.

Nelson's statement of organization lists longtime GOP activist Kay Dudley as campaign chair, with former Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphreys as campaign treasurer.

In 2001, Nelson was a part of the Right-to-Work strategy team, as well as the finance director for the campaign. He was instrumental in raising more than $6 million, the most ever raised by a statewide issue campaign in Oklahoma. In 1998, he was campaign manager for Humphreys' first Oklahoma City mayoral race and deputy manager for Keating's gubernatorial reelection campaign. He was the state director of Bob Dole for President in 1996 and organizational director for Keating's first gubernatorial race in 1994.

He also served as Vice-President of Future Investment Company, a real estate development firm, in 2003 and was a member of the Central Oklahoma, State and National Home Builders Associations.

In 1999, he was a regional political director for the National Association of Realtors in Washington.

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OFRG Urges Term Limits Approval

Oklahomans for Responsible Government (OFRG), the new taxpayer advocacy group that promotes fiscal responsibility, accountability and transparency in state government, today urged the Oklahoma House of Representatives to approve a term limits bill for statewide elected officials.

By a 5-4 vote Monday, the House Rules Committee approved House Joint Resolution 1078 by state Rep. Trebor Worthen (R-Oklahoma City).

Worthen's bill would let Oklahoma voters decide whether to establish term limits for the offices of Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Auditor and Inspector, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Insurance Commissioner, State Treasurer, Labor Commissioner and the members of the Corporation Commission.

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Worthen Opts Out To Build Consulting Business

Rep. Trebor Worthen, Oklahoma City Republican elected to the House in 2004, said today he doesn't plan to seek reelection and will devote his time to building his private political business interests.

Worthen said that Majority Designs, the political marketing and consulting company he started last year, is growing and demands more of his time.

Worthen also said he will join the GOP consulting firm A.H. Strategies as a senior associate. A.H. Strategies is the partnership of former Tom Coburn staffers Karl Ahlgren and Fount Holland.

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Worthen, Alexander Named To McCain Team

U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced new additions to its Oklahoma Leadership Team. Chad Alexander and State Rep. Trebor Worthen (pictured) will serve as the McCain campaign’s Oklahoma Coordinators, leading the growing grassroots organization on behalf of John McCain’s candidacy leading up to Oklahoma’s February 5th Primary.

Alexander and Worthen join Honorary State Chairmen, Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn and Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating.

"There is no greater champion of fiscal responsibility and government reform than John McCain," said Alexander. "John McCain's conservative convictions and principled leadership are what our nation needs right now, and that’s why I am proud to back him for the Republican nomination."

"I am honored to work for a man like Senator McCain whose integrity and character is unmatched. Oklahomans, like all Americans, will choose a President who has the experience to lead on day one, and John McCain is that man," said Worthen.

McCain spoke to his appreciation for his Oklahoma team: "I am pleased to have the backing and support of these veteran Republican leaders. My campaign will benefit from their hard work and energy as we work towards a victory in Oklahoma."

Alexander previously worked to elect J.C. Watts, Jr. as the first African American to serve in Congress from Oklahoma. After managing the re-elections of Congressman Watts, Alexander was elected chairman and executive director of the Oklahoma Republican Party.

Worthen was elected in 2004 to the Oklahoma legislature as its youngest member. He previously served as political director of the Oklahoma Republican Party. Worthen currently serves as chairman of the House Taxpayer Protection Caucus and chairman of the House Elections and Redistricting committee.

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Holmes To Cargill: 'Do The Right Thing'

Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Ivan Holmes (pictured), today called on House Speaker Lance Cargill and House Republicans to " do the right thing by coming forward with the truth about allegations of illegal campaign contributions and expenditures."

Holmes' news release said: "Revelations about tens of thousands of dollars being funneled from the accounts of Republican lawmakers into the Oklahoma County Republican Party to assist Republican House candidates all over Oklahoma come at a time when the GOP has been plagued by scandal after scandal.

“Despite lip service about family values and morality, the culture of corruption in the Republican Party goes from the State House to the White House. Time and again they have broken the law and violated ethics rules in pursuit of power for the Republican Party, not for the good of Oklahoma or their constituents. It is time they come clean and place statesmanship ahead of partisanship.

"Gary Jones, Chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party, has confirmed repeated reports that the Oklahoma Ethics Commission is investigating House Republicans for diverting checks written to the Oklahoma State Republican Party to the Oklahoma County Republican Party for use by their targeted House candidates. Sources have named House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, and Rep. Trebor Worthen, R-Oklahoma City, chairman of the House political action committee that raises money for candidates, as the targets of this investigation.

“Not only did Cargill and Worthen mislead the voters of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, but they also misled their own legislative members who believed they were legitimately donating to the State Republican Party,” stated Holmes.

“I hope Republican Representative David Dank will join me in calling for his House Republican Leadership to step down as he did for other elected officials who are currently under investigation.”

Dank announced earlier he will introduce ethics reform legislation.

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Worthen Says Published Report Is Wrong

State Rep. Trebor Worthen said today that, despite a published report to the contrary, he has not received a letter from the Oklahoma Ethics Commission asking him to appear before it in a reported probe of Republican fundraising efforts in 2004.

The Tulsa World reported this morning that sources said Worthen had received a letter.

Worthen chairs the House GOP Political Action Committee, which raises money to elect Republican candidates.

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McCain Due In State May 21st

U. S. Senator John McCain brings his presidential aspirations to Oklahoma on May 21st when he will address the Oklahoma Legislature.

Republican Rep. Trebor Worthen said McCain accepted an invitation from House Speaker Lance Cargill to speak.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney also has accepted an invitation to speak to the Legislature.

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