State Auditor Jones responds to candidate Prater's lies and attacks

State Auditor: It’s Time To Set The Record Straight

It’s tough sitting on the sidelines while someone demeans your record, office, and leadership.

Charlie Prater, who is running to be state auditor, has built his entire campaign on false accusations and baseless lies.

Prater accused Deputy State Auditor Cindy Byrd of campaigning on state time and bilking taxpayers out of tens of thousands of dollars in travel expenses. The TRUTH is Cindy Byrd has not spent a single dime of taxpayer’s money. She travels at her own expense and takes personal leave time to campaign.

Now Prater has reverted to making accusations of corruption at the State Auditor’s Office.

It’s okay to disagree with our audits or the job we’ve done safeguarding taxpayer dollars. But, no one has questioned the integrity of the State Auditor’s Office since I took office 7½ years ago.

The State Auditor should not be about misleading the public and Charlie’s done it again and again.

He surrounds himself with corrupt officials who were ousted due to Cindy’s audits. He chose a disgraced former state representative as his campaign manager for whom this is partly personal. If this is how he campaigns, how will he audit?

It’s a shame that Prater has sunk so low that he’s now attacking the State Auditor’s Office and the hard-working public servants who work here, including Cindy Byrd – all because he knows he can’t compete with the better qualified, more experienced public servant that Cindy Byrd, CPA, has been for Oklahomans throughout her career.

The only corruption I see is in his lack of scruples and win-at-all-costs, scorched-earth operation. I guarantee you corruption does not exist in this agency.

Gary A. Jones, CPA, CFE
Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector

Rep. Teague speaks out about deceptive group targeting conservative legislators

There's a shady "dark money" group out there that's targeting conservative Republican legislators, while under the name Conservative Alliance PAC. It's anything but conservative, and the DC-based group is using deceit and flat-out lies to try to amputate conservatism from the Oklahoma Legislature.

State Rep. Tess Teague (R-Choctaw) is one of the conservatives being targeted by the group during the runoff election; Teague recently posted the following rebuttal to their attacks:

State Rep. Tess Teague, R-Dist. 101

It appears as though an out-of-state organization is attacking myself and other conservatives in the Legislature, sending mail and unsolicited text messages to our constituents with the same message that we "voted against a teacher pay raise four times." It would almost be laughable if it wasn't so disrespectful to voters because this is intentional deceit. You're being lied to. So let's talk about facts. In 2017, the House passed HB1114, the teacher pay raise bill. It passed the House with a vote of 92-7 (five democrats and two republicans voted no), but the Senate refused to hear it. If they had, we would have successfully raised teacher pay a year before the walkout. It would have been the first time teacher pay had been raised since 2006. Since the Senate ultimately failed our bill, we tried again in 2018. This time we passed HB1023XX (teacher pay raise) and HB1026XX (support staff pay raise) and these bills also passed the Senate, were signed by the Governor and became law. This happened the week before the walkout.

I voted for all three of these pieces of legislation. What I didn't vote for were packages of massive taxation which included Step Up, A+, A++ and HB1010XX. I voted against all four of them. If out of state entities are saying I voted against teacher pay raises four times because I voted against taxation four times, I would say they're very confused. Since when is raising taxes synonymous with supporting education? It's not. I voted in favor of every single teacher pay raise and yet people who want conservatives out of the House will try to convince you that I'm anti-education. I voted for every single teacher pay raise but the OEA has targeted my district for a "day of action" - I vote in support of teachers but the OEA doesn't care about that, they have a vested interest in a different agenda of raising taxes and getting rid of conservatives. The argument I've faced is that the tax raises were necessary to pay for the teacher pay raise - that's also not true. Even our House leadership has come out and said that we wound up having such a surplus that we could have paid for the raises without new or increased taxation. This has been what conservatives have been saying since day one. I'm thankful for an economy on the rise and there's been a lot of work put into making sure our state pulled itself out of the deficit we were in. On the national level, we finally have a president committed to growing the economy as evidenced by our 4.1% GDP growth – the former administration only got to 1.6%. I'm proud of the Legislature for righting our financial ship here at home and it is exciting to see Oklahoma's thriving economy. But I am absolutely heartbroken that the rhetoric of "raising taxes is the only way to do it" won during session and that those of us with the foresight to see past the politics are being demonized for doing the right thing: supporting education AND protecting taxpayer's wallet.

On August 25 when the OEA targets my district with their "day of action" I need your help. Conservatives, this is our day of action. I won't let my voters be lied to. Stand with me and say "enough is enough" - these kind of tactics won't win over our country and they won't win over our state. Let me know if you'd like to join my group of volunteers from now until August 28, every little bit helps.

The Deception of Markwayne Mullin

Markwayne Mullin seems to have a problem with honesty.

Today marks eleven months since the FEC caught Congressman Markwayne Mullin raising funds and making expenditures for a 2018 reelection campaign without filing the paperwork declaring his candidacy. The next day, Mullin officially filed the paperwork declaring his candidacy for a fourth term in Congress, thus breaking his oft-repeated pledge to only seek three terms in office.

Almost three weeks went by before I caught the move, but when I published my post, some media outlets picked it up and prompted some reaction from Mullin and his campaign. A couple days later, Mullin went on air with Tulsa talk radio host Pat Campbell and said that "we're still praying about it [running for a 4th term]", and that he was "not even close to made up our minds".

Throughout the interview, he made numerous comments that filing the statement of candidacy was not a declaration of candidacy, but that it was merely routine paperwork filed so that he could be involved with NRCC activities, and that he had not decided whether he would run or not.

However, two days after my first post, and two days before his interview with Campbell, Mullin's campaign made some expenditures that seem to counter Mullin's comments to the contrary.

In the months between his 2016 re-election and his 2018 statement of candidacy filing, most of Mullin's campaign spending dealt with consultant retainers, fundraising expenses, staff salaries, and miscellaneous office expenses. There were some notable exceptions.

• January 25th, 2017: $24,500.00 for polling
• February 27th, 2017: $3,850 for redesigning his website. An Internet Archive capture of MullinForCongress.com shows that between February 2nd, 2017, and March 14th, 2017, Mullin's campaign website underwent a major overhaul -- which included moving in a new Donate section to a prominent spot on the front page, with the phrase "Support the Team Mullin re-election campaign by contributing today." According to Mullin's interview with Pat Campbell on April 19th, there was no re-election campaign because he hadn't decided yet.
• April 17th, 2017 (two days before his KFAQ interview): a $15,000 payment to Peak Enterprises, Inc., for Digital Media Consulting/Advertising. From what I've been able to find, this is the first time Mullin's campaign used this company for any work, indicating that this likely went beyond simply maintaining his existing 2016 campaign on a "holding pattern" until his decision was made regarding a fourth campaign.

Mullin's campaign would probably argue that some of the other expenditures were for keeping his infrastructure in place awaiting his final decision on a 2018 campaign, but the above items seem to indicate that was not the case, and that Mullin's public posturing was simply an effort to obscure an anticipated campaign rollout.

What seems to be more likely is that Markwayne Mullin had already planned to break his term limits pledge and run for a fourth term, but the FEC warning letter and subsequent attention messed up the timeline for his announcement. Mullin's campaign spending indicates that the decision to run had already been made, despite his comments to the contrary on KFAQ with Pat Campbell.

Mullin released a video ad on July 4th, 2017, where he announced that he would be breaking his term limits pledge.

Oklahoma has had other members of Congress make term limits pledges. Tom Coburn, J.C. Watts, and Jim Bridenstine made three-term pledges in the House, in addition to Markwayne Mullin. Steve Largent made a six-term pledge, but only ran for four. Coburn again made a two-term pledge in the Senate, resigning before completing his final term.

Until Markwayne Mullin, J.C. Watts was the only member to break his term limits pledge. He has since publicly said that breaking his pledge was his biggest regret from his time in office. At a 2010 speech to the Muskogee County Republican Party, Watts said that he had made a pledge before God and to his constituents, and when he broke it that fourth term became his worst time in office politically and with his family.

In a 2010 interview with National Review, Watts had this to say: “I saw people come into Washington thinking it was a cesspool and after being there for two months, thinking it was a jacuzzi. Regardless of what arena you’re in, the cheer of the crowd can be so seductive.” He also said, “I am an adamant supporter of term limits, and I recognize you get the good with the bad if you adopt term limits, but I say let’s start down that track and protect all of us as elected officials from ourselves, because the cheer of the crowd is just too intoxicating.”

Markwayne Mullin had been seduced by the cheer of the crowd -- and the pull of power.

In 2012, Markwayne Mullin made a pledge, a vow to the people of Oklahoma. that he would only run for three terms. He repeatedly confirmed that promise, and campaigned on it across the entire 2nd Congressional District. He signed it, put his name to it.

Mullin likes to say that he's "A Businessman, Not A Politician." I doubt as a businessman that he signs a contract, and then goes back and breaks it. You don't make it in business if you're a crook who won't keep his word.

Markwayne Mullin is the consummate politician, deceptively saying one thing, then doing the opposite. Voters should reward that dishonesty and lack of integrity by booting him from office in the June 26th primary. They should replace him with a person of virtue and character who has demonstrated true honor and integrity (I have a recommendation).

Club For Growth TV ad hits Mullin on earmarks and term limits

From Club For Growth:

DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN MARKWAYNE MULLIN PROMISED TO PROTECT TAXPAYERS? HE DOESN’T.

Washington, DC – Today Club for Growth unveiled a new 15-second ad to bring attention to the wasteful spending practice of earmarks that Rep. Markwayne Mullin embraces.

Club for Growth’s ad, “Amnesia,” begins airing on TV in Oklahoma and will also run digitally.

To watch Club for Growth’s ad, click here [or watch below].  The transcript of the 15-second ad can also be found below.



Club for Growth -- “Amnesia”
TV ad transcript:

Is Markwayne Mullin losing his memory?
First Mullin forgot about his term limits promise.
Then he complained about spending. 
But now wants to bring back earmarks – - special interest spending scams that cost taxpayers billions.
Remind Mullin to just say NO to earmarks.

OCPA: The Honesty Gap

The Honesty Gap

By OCPA President Jonathan Small

It’s been called the “honesty gap” or the “proficiency gap.”

For years, some Oklahoma education leaders have misled parents on student performance by setting a low bar. Thus, state officials have been able to claim “You’re doin’ fine, Oklahoma”– while the nation’s report card shows Oklahoma is not doing fine at all.

We’re not the only guilty state, but we’re among the worst offenders. As far back as 11 years ago, an Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs report noted that Oklahoma had inflated its educational progress by setting “unusually low educational standards. … While objective measures put Oklahoma in the lower half of states in terms of educational performance, measures reported by the State Department of Education consistently paint a far rosier picture.”

These poor results happened despite the preferred state revenue per pupil numbers of 2009. Key policymakers and business leaders have known about the problem for years. Former BOK Financial CEO Stan Lybarger, for example, lamented Oklahoma’s “inflated test scores.”

Arne Duncan, President Obama’s first secretary of education, said pointedly, “We have been lying to children and their parents because states have dumbed down their standards.”

Urging states to tell the truth, Duncan said: “Sometimes you have to call the baby ugly.”

It appears Oklahoma will be more honest about student performance.

It’s certainly not pretty. “The majority of Oklahoma students lack proficiency in all but one subject area tested,” The Oklahoman reported.

State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister deserves praise for helping Oklahoma close the honesty gap, a problem that existed long before she took office. Many state lawmakers have rightly said no more blank checks – no spending increases without reform. For the sake of the most vulnerable, truth-telling can’t qualify as “reform.”

The Tulsa World quotes Hofmeister as saying, “What has just occurred is more sweeping than anything that has happened in recent years.”

Obviously, it makes no sense for an education establishment that for years has been “lying to children and their parents” (Arne Duncan’s words) to now say: “OK, we’ll stop lying. Thus, you should reward us with more money.”

Oklahoma’s total education revenue increased over the last decade – faster than inflation or student population growth. It’s time for real reforms, like merit pay, property tax reform, and moving school board and bond elections to November.

Most importantly, it’s time to let tax dollars follow the child to the safest and best school – whether public or private. According to a recent survey of likely Oklahoma voters, fully 65 percent of Oklahomans support using tax dollars to allow parents to choose the education that works best for their children.

Our one-size-fits-all approach to education doesn’t work so well for many students and families; it’s time for other options.

Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (www.ocpathink.org).

Tom Coburn reacts to Markwayne Mullin breaking term limits pledge

Dr. Tom Coburn was interviewed yesterday morning on 1170 KFAQ by talk show host Pat Campbell, reacting to Congressman Markwayne Mullin's announcement that he will be running for a 4th term and break his oft-repeated term limits pledge.

Here's the audio of the interview:



A few highlights:

• "I think it's bad for Oklahoma, and I think it's bad for Markwayne Mullin"
• "[Mullin's recent actions show that] the arrogance of power has affected his thinking, and when a man's word doesn't mean anything, nothing else matters."
• Mullin has "drunk the [Washington DC] kool-aid"
• Coburn voiced support for Jarrin Jackson, who challenged Mullin in 2016, should he decide to make another run at the seat

So much for Term Limits? Mullin aspires "to be a career legislator"

Congressman Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma's 2nd District has been in hot water over the past week for comments he made at a recent town hall in Jay, saying gems like...

“You say you pay for me to do this. Bullcrap. I pay for myself. I paid enough taxes before I got there and continue to through my company to pay my own salary. This is a service. No one here pays me to go.”

and 

“I’m just saying this is a service for me, not a career, and I thank God this is not how I make my living.”

and 

“I’m paying more taxes inside my company and personally than I’ll ever receive from Congress.”

His comments have been major national news, with stories running on the Drudge Report, TheBlaze, The Washington Times, TheHill, Politico, FoxNews, Conservative Review, and many other publications and news sites.

A spokesperson for Mullin told the Tulsa World, “The congressman reiterates in the video that his work as the representative of the Second District of Oklahoma is a service. His aspiration is to be a career legislator and not a career politician. He is not, nor does he ever aspire to be, a career politician. His priority will always be to serve his constituents to the best of his ability.” [emphasis mine]

Let's remember that Mullin campaigned in 2012 on a pledge to serve no more than three two-year terms (six years) in office. In an August 1, 2011, article from the AP, Mullin told reporter Sean Murphy, "I don't want to be up there (in Washington) and become part of the problem. If we can't accomplish anything in six years, it's a waste of time anyway." Sounds like that's not the case anymore, at least according to his spokesperson.

In 2016, US Term Limits, the leading advocacy organization and the group with the pledge Mullin signed, slammed Mullin for failing to follow through on his commitment to co-sponsor term limits legislation, as well as his public hedging on keeping his pledge in 2018.

Brogdon Misquotes, Misrepresents McCarville in Campaign Email

In his latest campaign email, Republican gubernatorial candidate Randy Brogdon speaks about his latest television commercial. You know, the one I was critical of, and called 'deceptive'.

His email says the following:

I find it extremely important that voters are presented with all the facts before they go into the ballot box July 27th.  I have been very open and honest with my record of promoting smaller government, protecting your freedom, and lowering taxes. Unfortunately, my opponent has been dodging her record of voting for the bailout over the last year.

Watch our latest T.V. advertisement now!

The bailout vote gave one TRILLION dollars of YOUR money to bail out financial institutions and gave the federal government control over certain private businesses.  This was not small government, fiscal responsibility, nor Oklahoma values.  So, I find it very important Oklahoma Republican voters are aware of Representative Mary Fallin’s voting record.

McCarville, an Oklahoma political reporter, recently wrote:

" Republican gubernatorial candidate Randy Brogdon's campaign warchest is thin compared to opponent Mary Fallin's and some observers say Fallin should give thanks for that. They point to this Brogdon commercial, which some believe would resonate with voters if Brogdon had enough money to saturate the television airwaves with it."

Dedicated to Liberty,

Randy Brogdon

[emphasis as in original]

However, there is a huge inaccuracy in the attribution of Mike McCarville's statement that I, as a "brother" blogger, feel compelled to correct.

On Thursday, July 8th, Mike McCarville wrote two posts about Brogdon TV commercials.

At 1:59pm, he posted about Brogdon's attack ad. In the post itself, there was no commentary - just the YouTube video of the "Mary Fallin Compromise" advertisement.

Again, let me reiterate. He wrote no commentary about the ad. You can see for yourself here.

But, that was not his first post of the day about a Brogdon commercial. At 5:27am, he posted about Brogdon's excellent "Freedom" ad.

It was about that ad, a positive commercial about Randy, that McCarville made the following commentary:

Republican gubernatorial candidate Randy Brogdon's campaign warchest is thin compared to opponent Mary Fallin's and some observers say Fallin should give thanks for that. They point to this Brogdon commercial, which some believe would resonate with voters if Brogdon had enough money to saturate the television airwaves with it.

Again, here is the link to this particular post by McCarville.

As you can see with your own eyes, McCarville did not make that statement about the attack ad, but about the previously released positive ad.

This was a blatant misquote and misrepresentation by the Brogdon campaign. The implication in the campaign email is that Mike McCarville, the most widely read and prominent political blogger in Oklahoma, posted that particular quote about a widely criticized ad. Unfortunately for the Brogdon campaign, that was absolutely not the case, and they have been caught in something that cannot be explained away. There is no excuse, there is no justification for such blatant untruthfulness.


Oklahoma Values have been a topic that has been much discussed by the candidates for governor.

One of the premier Oklahoma Values is that of Honesty.


**UPDATE**: Mike McCarville now reports, "Randy Brogdon has apologized. He said the error is his."