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 Lawmakers’ request is an attack on needy children
By Jonathan Small
State House Democrats have asked Attorney General Mike Hunter for an opinion on whether it is legal to use federal funds to help low-income (and often minority) students attend private schools. Yet that question has been asked and answered—in the affirmative—repeatedly. Earlier this year Congress approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, providing hundreds of millions to state governments for COVID-19 response. Oklahoma education entities were among the recipients with public schools getting $160 million, state colleges—both public and private—getting another $159 million, and nearly $40 million placed in the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund. Stitt designated $10 million in GEER funding for his “Stay in School” program. That program is expected to provide more than 1,500 Oklahoma families with $6,500 apiece for private-school tuition. That’s a bargain compared to roughly $9,200 apiece that would otherwise be spent educating those kids in public schools. Read more »by Jamison Faught - September 29, 2020 at 08:27AM |
 OCPA: House Dems’ request is an attack on needy children Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
OCPA: House Dems’ request is an attack on needy children
Sunday, September 27, 2020
Oklahoma District Attorneys Association votes to oppose SQ 805
 Oklahoma District Attorneys Association Votes Overwhelmingly to OPPOSE State Question 805
Oklahoma City (September 24th) — The Oklahoma District Attorneys Association has voted to oppose State Question 805, stating that the measure is a danger to Oklahoma’s public safety. “State Question 805 is a misguided proposal which would impact hundreds of serious crimes,” said Angela Marsee, Oklahoma District Attorneys Association officer. “Proponents claim it’s a reform that helps first-time offenders, but in reality it will serve get-out-of-jail-free cards on a silver platter to repeat violent offenders of domestic violence in the presence of a child, stalking, animal cruelty, home burglary, arson, DUI, or soliciting sex from a minor using technology.” Oklahoma’s district attorneys also challenge S.Q. 805 with a fact-check about claims in their new ad: Read more »by Jamison Faught - September 27, 2020 at 02:05PM |
Oklahoma District Attorneys Association votes to oppose SQ 805 Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Saturday, September 26, 2020
Humphrey: House Dems' false accusations must stop
 OPINION: False Accusations Must Stop By State Rep. Justin Humphrey
It is time for Americans to respond and stop allowing hostile antagonists to assert false political statements. House Democratic leadership and others have asserted claims of a COVID-19 state cover-up, alleging the governor withheld and misrepresented information given to him by the White House Taskforce. Democrat partisans go on to deceptively declare Oklahomans have lost their voice because Republicans have conceded power to Gov. Stitt. Claims that Republicans have failed to hold the governor accountable and that this alleged failure falls on the laps of all Republicans are absolutely incorrect. Let’s recap several vital issues addressed by Republican legislators in 2020. Numerous Republicans openly opposed the governor’s stand on tribal issues. Republicans strongly disagreed with the governor’s budget and Republicans led the veto override of the governor’s budget veto in a historic fashion. I am proud to work with the governor on issues where we agree, but it is undeniable that we have held the governor accountable. Read more »by Jamison Faught - September 26, 2020 at 12:41PM |
Humphrey: House Dems' false accusations must stop Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Friday, September 25, 2020
State Senate study examines potential modernization of Open Meeting Act
 Senate study examines potential modernization of Open Meeting Act OKLAHOMA CITY – An interim study held Wednesday in the Oklahoma Senate examined the potential to make permanent changes that the Oklahoma Legislature made earlier this year to the state’s open meeting law that allowed agencies, boards and commissions at the state and local level to meet and hold public meetings virtually, in accordance with health and safety guidelines due to the coronavirus pandemic. Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, requested the study saying he thinks the temporary changes have been mostly successful and that making them permanent may be worthwhile to ensure state laws accommodate the use of new technology. The changes to the Open Meeting Act expire Nov. 15. “I think the changes the Legislature made to the Open Meeting Act were successful on two fronts,” Treat said. “The changes allowed government at state and local levels to continue to meet publicly and do their jobs while still following coronavirus-related health and safety protocols. The changes also brought public meetings online increasing transparency of government at the state and local level by giving the public even more access to observe the actions of public bodies.” Read more »by Jamison Faught - September 25, 2020 at 03:35PM |
State Senate study examines potential modernization of Open Meeting Act Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
1889 Institute: An Alliterative Appeal for Balanced Behavior and A Cease to COVID Craziness
 An Alliterative Appeal for Balanced Behavior and A Cease to COVID Craziness
By Mike Davis
Allowing an admittedly adverse ailment to be inaccurately advertised as apocalyptic is abhorrent. An accurate assessment advises all to avoid alarmism and act appropriately. Anxieties are anticipated, but authentic appraisal admits an alternative: any of advanced age or anemic autoimmunity are advised to avoid acquaintances and afflicted areas. Able-bodied adults and adolescents are able to get back to business. Bureaucrats ban beneficial business. Busybodies blinded by bombastic broadcasts belittle benign behaviors. But bravery bolsters benevolence. By bringing back businesses, cities can commence cooperative commerce. Concededly, Covid causes casualties. However, car crashes can be catastrophic. Curiously, coupes continue to cruise. Caution is called for, but we can't condone crippling cowardice. Read more »by Jamison Faught - September 25, 2020 at 08:45AM |
1889 Institute: An Alliterative Appeal for Balanced Behavior and A Cease to COVID Craziness Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Anti-crime group launches campaign against State Question 805
 Opponents Launch Campaign against State Question 805, Which Would Lessen Penalties for Repeat Offenders and Violent Criminals Oklahoma City - Today, “Oklahomans United against 805” launched their campaign against a state question which would lessen jail sentences for habitual offenders of very serious crimes like domestic violence in the presence of a child, animal cruelty, home burglary, arson or DUI that leaves someone maimed, and even some classifications of child trafficking. Opponents of the measure are concerned about the core of State Question 805, which would ban a repeat criminal’s past crimes from being taken into consideration during sentencing. By taking away the ability to enhance a sentence based on past convictions, SQ 805 essentially treats habitual offenders as first-time offenders. State Question 805 would, therefore, lessen the punishment for those REPEATEDLY committing these serious crimes. “It is very clear now that State Question 805 isn’t about providing ‘second chances’ for first-time criminals,” said Tricia Everest, a long-time community activist who has fought for diversion programs like drug courts and veterans’ courts to help break the cycle of crime that hits too many Oklahoma families. “SQ805 will affect much more than standard drug crimes. It will lessen penalties for those repeatedly committing serious crimes ranging from child trafficking, domestic violence in the presence of a child, and animal cruelty, to property crimes like burglarizing homes.” Read more »by Jamison Faught - September 24, 2020 at 10:34PM |
Anti-crime group launches campaign against State Question 805 Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
OCPA column: A courageous leader in challenging times
 A courageous leader in challenging times By Jonathan Small
In his remarkable tenure as president of the University of Oklahoma, James Gallogly focused the university on its core mission of providing a quality education to the average student, not catering to distractions, special interests and wasteful spending. His success in achieving that goal is why the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs recently presented Gallogly with our citizenship award. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt noted Winston Churchill once said, “This is no time for ease and comfort. It is time to dare and endure,” and, “Courage is rightly considered the foremost of the virtues, for upon it all others depend.” Stitt noted of Gallogly, “When I think of courage, I think of my friend Jim Gallogly.” Because of Gallogly’s success, it’s easy to forget how bad things were at OU when Gallogly took over. The university was a financial mess, on its way to not being able to make payroll, headed for default on obligations, and had a broken culture. Read more »by Jamison Faught - September 22, 2020 at 03:06PM |
OCPA column: A courageous leader in challenging times Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Oklahoma unemployment rate drops further, now 10th lowest in nation
 OKLAHOMA UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IMPROVES, STATE RANKS 10TH NATIONALLY OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 18, 2020)-- Governor Kevin Stitt today announced the State of Oklahoma is now ranked 10th in the nation for lowest unemployment rate. New figures released by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and the U.S. Department of Labor show Oklahoma’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 5.7% in August, a significant decrease from 12.6% in May and a further decrease from 7.1% in July. "Oklahoma's perseverance and pioneer spirit continues to shine bright as we bounce back from the economic impact of COVID-19," said Gov. Stitt. "These numbers prove our safe reopening plan is working, and Oklahomans are getting back on their feet and finding jobs thanks to our businesses who continue to innovate and grow their operations.” In August, statewide seasonally adjusted employment increased by 51,621 persons (3.1%), while unemployment decreased by 23,085 persons (-18.1%). Read more »by Jamison Faught - September 22, 2020 at 08:56AM |
Oklahoma unemployment rate drops further, now 10th lowest in nation Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
[MuskogeePolitico.com] TW Shannon to help State House with redistricting
from MuskogeePolitico newsletter Archive Feed
Monday, September 21, 2020
State House brings in former Speaker T.W. Shannon to help with redistricting
 House retains T.W. Shannon to assist with redistricting OKLAHOMA CITY – To enhance its strong commitment to public input in the upcoming redistricting process, the House of Representatives has retained T.W. Shannon as a public liaison on redistricting matters. Shannon, Oklahoma’s 42nd speaker of the House and the first Black speaker in state history, is a member of the Chickasaw Nation who has lived in both urban and rural Oklahoma. “T.W. Shannon is an incredibly effective communicator whose diversity and deep understanding of all of Oklahoma will strongly benefit the House’s public-focused redistricting process,” said House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka. Shannon will assist the House Redistricting Committee and House Redistricting Office in a nonpartisan manner with public interaction and input. His primary duty is to build bridges between the public and the House on redistricting matters on behalf of all House members. Shannon will serve as a community liaison across the state to help the House solicit and interpret the public input that is the bedrock of the House redistricting process. He will also serve as a spokesman to the public and media as needed. He will report to the Redistricting Committee and its subcommittees. Read more »by Jamison Faught - September 21, 2020 at 10:56PM |
State House brings in former Speaker T.W. Shannon to help with redistricting Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Sunday, September 20, 2020
Rep. Moore: State budget deficit inspires millions in savings proposals
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Budget Deficit Inspires Millions in Savings Proposals OKLAHOMA CITY – The House Insurance Committee held a recent interim study to review ways to decrease the cost of health insurance, save money and improve health insurance efficiencies. Representatives of Strategic Cost Containment Concepts (SCCC), powered by AmWINS, presented RX Interceptor & Pharmacy Rebates, a proprietary program to provide significant savings to the state in prescriptions and medical care. The RX Inceptor Program claims to help reduce prescription claims spend by 30% to 50%. The group works with pharmaceutical advocates to help eligible individuals qualify for savings on high-cost specialty medications. They say that up to 100% of the drug rebates, built-in stop-loss, and a full annual Pharmacy Performance Audit can account for savings to the state. Read more »by Jamison Faught - September 20, 2020 at 03:13PM |
Rep. Moore: State budget deficit inspires millions in savings proposals Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Saturday, September 19, 2020
1889 Institute: To save the Oklahoma judiciary, we must reform it
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 To Save the Oklahoma Judiciary, We Must Reform It The Oklahoma Supreme Court too often acts as though it is a super legislature rather than the state’s highest court. It should be a neutral arbiter, applying the laws passed by the actual Legislature to cases that come before it. Instead, the Court appears to first determine the policy result it desires and then dream up the arbitrary legal reasoning necessary to justify that result. The Oklahoma Legislature is not required to sit idly while the Oklahoma Supreme Court abuses its constitutional authority. It can—and should—act to rein in the Supreme Court. In fact, legislators have a responsibility to jealously guard their own institutional power. After all, we sent them to the Capitol as our representatives. It is what we hired them to do, and they have a duty to do it. The surest way to reform the Court is to change the way justices are selected. That process is dominated by the Oklahoma Bar Association, under a system documented to produce a more left-wing judiciary than other selection methods. Unfortunately, in Oklahoma, doing so would require the heavy lift of a constitutional amendment. But the Legislature is not without recourse. Read more »by Jamison Faught - September 19, 2020 at 06:13PM |
1889 Institute: To save the Oklahoma judiciary, we must reform it Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
OCPA: Democrats ignoring the law and courts to attack needy children
 Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, issued the following statement Wednesday in response to House Democrats attacking a state program that serves the educational needs of low-income and minority children. “House Democrats claim Governor Kevin Stitt cannot use federal COVID funds to help low-income and minority students stay in private schools. The text of the federal law that provided the funding, rulings from both the U.S. Supreme Court and Oklahoma Supreme Court, and Attorney General Mike Hunter’s own award-winning brief in a prior court case all say House Democrats are wrong. Over and over, the legality of allowing parents to use taxpayer funds to pay for private school has been upheld so long as the program is viewpoint neutral. The governor’s plan meets all criteria. It is very disturbing that House Democrats would try to take money out of the pockets of needy children to deprive them of a quality education, especially at a time when many public schools are refusing to provide even the most basic in-person instruction.” Read more »by Jamison Faught - September 19, 2020 at 09:13AM |
OCPA: Democrats ignoring the law and courts to attack needy children Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Friday, September 18, 2020
State Election Board officials caution voters about mailing from “OKVOTE” organization
 State Election Board Officials Caution Voters About Mailing From “OKVOTE” Organization (Oklahoma City) – Officials with the Oklahoma State Election Board cautioned voters about a mailing from a Tulsa-based organization, “OKVOTE,” after state and county election offices received several complaints from voters this week. The mailing is an unsolicited, pre-filled voter registration application accompanied by a letter that mistakenly advises some recipients that “according to State Election Board records” they are not registered to vote at their current address – even though official Election Board records actually show many of the recipients who have contacted election officials are already properly registered. “State and county election officials are not affiliated with OKVOTE nor with this mailing,” State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax said. “Although we know OKVOTE has good intentions, this mailing has caused confusion by mistakenly telling some registered voters that they are not registered to vote at their address. We encourage voters who received this letter to use the official OK Voter Portal or contact their County Election Board to confirm their voter registration.” Read more »by Jamison Faught - September 18, 2020 at 09:45PM |
State Election Board officials caution voters about mailing from “OKVOTE” organization Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Hern joins GOP caucus in introducing "Commitment to America" platform
 Hern joins Republican Conference to introduce “Commitment to America” platform WASHINGTON, DC – This morning, Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) joined Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), Republican Whip Steve Scalise (LA-01), and the rest of the House Republican Conference to formally announce the Commitment to America agenda, which will focus on restoring the American way of life, rebuilding the greatest economy in American history, and renewing the American Dream. “The atmosphere was full of hope and opportunity this morning,” said Rep. Hern. “While Democrats focus on everything that separates us, Leader McCarthy laid out a plan of unity that celebrates American exceptionalism and seeks to restore what has been lost this year. My colleagues and I have been working on this Commitment for a while, compiling over 150 policy proposals to support the key promises to Restore, Rebuild, and Renew. “We all believe that America is worth fighting for; there is no place like it. Only in America can someone like me start with nothing and – with a lot of hard work and setbacks along the way – build something successful and have the opportunity to serve my community in Congress. With this Commitment to America, we are promising that same opportunity to all Americans. I am living proof that the American Dream is not dead. I want the next generations to know that anything is possible with a big idea and lot of hard work. Your Republican leaders have a clear path forward, a legislative agenda to benefit all American families, businesses, and communities.” Read more »by Jamison Faught - September 18, 2020 at 09:21PM |
Hern joins GOP caucus in introducing "Commitment to America" platform Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
1889 Institute: About those roads in Texas...
 About Those Roads in Texas
By Ben Lepak
Perhaps you have encountered a phenomenon most Oklahomans are familiar with: cruising south on I-35, as soon as you cross the Red River the road gets noticeably smoother. The painted lane stripes get a little brighter and the roadside “Welcome to Texas” visitors’ center gleams in the sunlight, a modern and well-maintained reminder of how much more money the Lonestar State spends on public infrastructure than little old Oklahoma. Or does it? Why are the roads so much, well, better in Texas? Turns out, it isn’t the amount of money spent, at least not when compared to the overall size of the state’s economy and personal income of its inhabitants. Figures compiled by 1889 Institute reveal that Oklahoma actually spends significantly more on roads than Texas as a percentage of both state GDP and personal income. The data was from 2016, before Oklahoma’s tax and spending increases of recent years. The gap is likely greater today. Read more » by Jamison Faught - September 16, 2020 at 02:59PM |
1889 Institute: About those roads in Texas... Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Stitt praises DHS certification of Oklahoma's REAL-ID compliance
 GOVERNOR STITT PRAISES DHS CERTIFICATION OF OKLAHOMA'S REAL ID COMPLIANCE
This notification comes after three years of hard work by employees at the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) to implement a new system and standards to allow Oklahoma to come into compliance with REAL ID regulations. “The team at the Department of Public Safety has worked tirelessly to update systems and take the necessary steps to implement this critical program,” said Governor Kevin Stitt.“Thanks to their dedication, Oklahomans will be able to use their REAL ID compliant licenses to travel seamlessly across the U.S. and enter federal facilities. By implementing REAL ID, we are also ensuring our state remains competitive, successfully attracts new businesses and retains our hardworking people as we continue to make Oklahoma a Top Ten state.” DPS issued the first REAL ID compliant credential to the public on June 29 and is currently in week eight of a 16-week statewide rollout. By mid-November, Oklahomans will be able to obtain a REAL ID compliant credential at all DPS facilities and tag agent locations. “I am extremely proud of all of our employees and partners and their dedication to seeing this project through,” said DPS Commissioner John Scully. “Employees working on this project have worked weekends and nights to ensure that our state achieved this goal. Not only have we achieved becoming REAL ID compliant, but we have also modernized our entire credential issuance system. We thank Oklahomans for being patient with our agency as we implement the new system and work through growing pains.” Due to circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, DHS extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline through October 1, 2021. This means regular Oklahoma driver licenses and ID cards will continue to be accepted for boarding a plane and entering federal facilities until that date. Oklahomans can learn more about REAL ID and how to obtain one at www.realid.ok.gov. by Jamison Faught - September 16, 2020 at 08:26AM |
Stitt praises DHS certification of Oklahoma's REAL-ID compliance Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
'Unite Norman' succeeds in getting councilmember recall certified
 RECALL CERTIFIED! Unite Norman’s Recall Effort Certified for Council Member Petrone
Mayor’s Recall Certification Will Not Be Announced Till Tomorrow — and Unite Norman Cautions about Legal Precedence Below;
ALSO: Grassroots Groups Cautions against Council Member Bierman’s Planned Doxxing of List of Petition Signers in the Mayoral Recall effort, Citing Intimidation and Harassment
NORMAN — Unite Norman responded to the City Clerk’s announcement today that the signature-gathering effort to recall Council Member Petrone is certified and will now head to the ballot box. The announcement comes after the grassroots organization turned in more than 20,000 signatures to recall Mayor Clark, and thousands of signatures to recall Council Member Petrone, and after forcing the resignation already of Council Member Wilson in Ward 5. Read more » by Jamison Faught - September 15, 2020 at 11:35PM |
'Unite Norman' succeeds in getting councilmember recall certified Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Small: the Electoral College matters to minorities
 The Electoral College matters to minorities
By Jonathan Small
Rather than have a nationwide popular vote, the United States chooses its president through the Electoral College with the outcome tied to multiple state-level elections. This system ensures voters in smaller states like Oklahoma are still prized by presidential candidates. But it has also ensured minority groups of all types can wield greater influence even as consensus-building is incentivized. The Electoral College’s benefit has accrued not only to those interested in specific issues—such as pro-life voters or environmentalists—but to racial minorities as well. Consider this. In the last presidential election, roughly 130 million people voted. Roughly 35 million votes were cast by racial minorities. If we eliminated the Electoral College and chose the president based solely on popular vote, the president could be selected solely by white people. But in the state elections that ultimately choose the president through the Electoral College, black voters represent a key share of the voting population and have greater sway. Read more » by Jamison Faught - September 15, 2020 at 11:18PM |
Small: the Electoral College matters to minorities Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Monday, September 14, 2020
Music Monday: God's Gonna Cut You Down
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This week's Music Monday is God's Gonna Cut You Down, an American folk song posthumously released and sung in 2006 by Johnny Cash.
Enjoy!
See below for all previous Music Monday posts. Do you have a song you'd like to suggest for a future Music Monday? Email me at JamisonFaught@MuskogeePolitico.com.
by Jamison Faught - September 14, 2020 at 11:30AM |
Music Monday: God's Gonna Cut You Down Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Saturday, September 12, 2020
OCPA column: Notable support for school choice
 Notable support for school choice
By Jonathan Small
In politics, as in retail, consumer demand drives product selection, only politicians offer policies rather than baked goods. So it’s notable that multiple speakers strongly advocated for school choice policies every night of the recent Republican National Convention. That type of strong, vocal support only happens when politicians are certain a policy is both popular and beneficial, as several speakers demonstrated. Sarah Hughes, whose eight-year-old son is a beneficiary of a Wisconsin school choice program, told national viewers her son “would have slipped through the cracks in public schools” but now has been provided the educational opportunity that will allow him “to succeed.” Tera Myers, whose son has Down syndrome and is a beneficiary of an Ohio school-choice program, likewise noted her son says school choice “helped my dreams come true” and allowed him to become the “best I can be.” Such stories are not outliers, nor are they isolated to places far from Oklahoma. Our state has seen dramatic success stories generated by school choice. For example, in north Tulsa this year Crossover Preparatory Academy continued educating students through distance means when Tulsa Public Schools effectively threw in the towel, other than having online review of past content. Many of the low-income, all-male and mostly minority students at Crossover Preparatory Academy in North Tulsa attend that private school because of a state tax credit for donations to scholarship-granting organizations. The benefits of their private-school education can be seen by comparing those students to their socio-economic counterparts still in Tulsa Public Schools. A TPS official recently told the State Board of Education that district now expects that kids “who might otherwise have been predicted to be two years below grade level” are instead going to be “approximately three years below grade level.” The kids at Crossover still have opportunity thanks to education, but many kids in TPS do not and will pay the price for years. Former Rep. Jason Nelson, who created a state program that pays for children with special needs to attend private schools, has reported some parents “have told me that it saved their child’s life.” That is not hyperbole. Oklahoma’s school-choice programs have served children with special needs, teens recovering from addiction, survivors of horrendous childhood abuse, and more. School-choice has not only changed lives but saved them. As the nation grapples with issues of inequality, one of the best paths forward is to expand school choice in Oklahoma and elsewhere. As Donald Trump Jr. bluntly noted, if officials really want to “help minorities in underserved communities,” the best option is to “let parents choose what school is best for their kids.” Ja’Ron Smith, deputy assistant to the president, noted at the RNC that education “is the great equalizer.” He’s right. It’s time we give all students of all races and economic backgrounds a greater chance at success through school choice. Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. by Jamison Faught - September 12, 2020 at 09:50PM |
OCPA column: Notable support for school choice Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |