Senate passes Bullard bill to fund local water, wastewater improvements

Senate passes Bullard bill to fund local water, wastewater improvements

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 11th) – The Oklahoma Senate on Monday passed a bill from Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, that would earmark $125 million for much-needed water and wastewater infrastructure projects in localities across the state.

Senate Bill 1331 directs the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to establish a program to provide loans to municipalities and rural water districts seeking matching funds for water or wastewater improvement projects. The state would provide $125 million in initial funding for the program.

Hern urges Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize funding for Arkansas River Navigation System

Hern urges Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize funding for MKARNS

WASHINGTON, DC (April 27th) – Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) sent a letter with members of the Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas Congressional delegations to the Office and Management and Budget and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers urging them to prioritize and commit additional funding to the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS).

Hern votes for WRDA bill, includes funds for Tulsa, Arkansas River Navigation System projects

Hern votes for WRDA, includes funds for Tulsa projects

WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement in support of HR 7575, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which passed the House by unanimous consent this afternoon.

“There’s a lot to be happy about in the WRDA that passed today,” said Rep. Hern. “Included in the bill were funds for the Army Corps of Engineers to make upgrades on the Tulsa-West Tulsa Levee System. Last year, a flood decimated parts of Tulsa. Had the aging levees failed, the devastation would have been much worse. It’s been 12 years since the levees were rated ‘unacceptable’ and at ‘very high risk’ of failure. Updates are long overdue, but it’s great to see those funds included in this bill. Also included in the WRDA are funds to clear the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS) from silt deposits as a result of the 2019 floods and other updates and security measures for MKARNS. Our waterways are important in Oklahoma, and I’m glad to see much-needed funding allocated to Oklahoma projects with the WRDA.”

Background Information

OKGOP Chair Pinnell: Serfdom Through Sidewalks

Serfdom Through Sidewalks

by Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Matt Pinnell

President Obama announced yesterday a proposal for another $50 billion ‘stimulus’ package aimed at our nation’s infrastructure. Let me put that in plain Okie: he wants to build more roads and sidewalks with your tax dollars.

Obama’s recycled policy of more stimulus dollars isn’t going to generate job growth, only build upon a mountain of debt and further spook private investment.  With the unemployment rate rising to 9.6 percent in August, Obama’s summer of recovery didn’t happen, and the only solution Democrats have? Throw more of our tax dollars at it, of course.

This President should be a one-termer for many reasons, but I’d argue the biggest is his lack of faith in the American people. Big government isn’t the answer, and Americans know it. We want a President to stand up and defend us, set us loose, not talk down to us and handcuff the country with further government intervention and bureaucracy.

“The Road to Serfdom,” the infamous book written by economist and philosopher Friedrich von Hayek, warned of the danger of tyranny that inevitably results from government control of economic decision-making. He argued that the abandonment of individualism and freedom ultimately leads to socialist oppression and the “serfdom of the individual.”

It starts with harmless sidewalks, but no doubt that’s just the beginning for the Obama Administration. Every Oklahoma Democrat candidate owes us an explanation on whether they stand with Obama and his latest stimulus…that includes Jari Askins who has been silent thus far.

Serfdom through sidewalks? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: November 2nd is our jackhammer.

The Conservative View: Government Realty?

This week's Conservative View, by Adair County Commissioner Russell Turner (R-Stilwell).

The Conservative View
by Russell Turner

Government Realty?

For any city or area to grow the need for infrastructure is paramount. Without utilities and roads it is impossible to have good, healthy growth. In a perfect world easements that are needed for the roads and utilities could be purchased from the landowners and construction could start immediately. Sadly we do not live in a perfect world. Often the landowners have built their homes and improvements in the area where the land will be needed. When this happens it always creates friction between the landowner and the government agency that needs the land. I am a firm believer in the right of private property but I also understand the need for the greater good. If the need for the land is so great, every effort must be made to pay the affected landowner a fair price for his or her land. If the negotiations come to an impasse, the government can use eminent domain to force the sale of the land in question. I feel that eminent domain should only be used as a last resort and used as little as possible. At times the use of eminent domain has been abused and the landowner has become a victim of the government. There is a bill before the state legislature that, if enacted, could provide more protection for the citizens of Oklahoma.

House Bill 3053, by state Rep. Pat Ownbey, would force agencies to declare unused land surplus and offer to resell it to the original owner after 10 years. Many times land is taken for some project and then later, for a variety of reasons, the project will be canceled and the land will not be used for the purpose that it was originally taken for. This bill makes it possible for an individual to get their property back if it is not being used. For example, if a person’s land is taken to build a road on it and, for some reason the project falls apart, the original landowner should be able to get their property back even if the government would like to keep it for some future purpose. We citizens should not have to worry about the government taking our property unnecessarily. HB 3053 will give our citizens more protection from the improper use of eminent domain. Government should be in the business of protecting our liberties and freedoms and stay out of the Realty business.

If you wish to contact Russell Turner, or want to subscribe to his email loop, email him at rdrepublican@windstream.net.