Sen. Boren, Cleveland County residents voice outrage over proposed turnpike expansion

Sen. Boren and other Cleveland County residents voice outrage over proposed turnpike expansion

OKLAHOMA CITY – At a press conference Wednesday, Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, was joined by other Cleveland County residents in sharing their outrage over the planned expansion of Oklahoma’s turnpike system that threatens the home and property of hundreds, the only location of a rare rock and a sanctuary for injured and orphaned wildlife. 

Boren pointed out the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s (OTA) concern for local residents seems to decrease with every major project. With the Kilpatrick Turnpike, OTA chose a path that took one house per mile, but with the Kickapoo Turnpike, the route took three houses per mile. The planned Cleveland County project would require the destruction of 16 houses per mile.         

“The Turnpike ACCESS Plan threatens hundreds of homeowners, landowners, and thousands of residents in my district. It’s my duty to amplify their voices at this critical time so that all Oklahomans can join us in persuading the governor and his appointees to the Turnpike Authority to change course and stop this lunacy,” Boren said. “Yesterday, it was homeowners and landowners in the Luther area who tragically lost their homes and businesses when the Kickapoo Turnpike was built. Today, the people of Cleveland County are in the crosshairs of the OTA. Tomorrow, it will be another community, unless the governor, state Legislature or the courts stops this proposed project.”                 

OU professor Dr. Amy Cerato explained that the proposed highway also runs through the only place Rose Rocks can be found in the world.

“Barite roses are distinctly Oklahoma. Our state rock since 1967, these exquisite natural wonders are found only one place on earth – in a thin band between Lake Stanley Draper and Noble. They are cherished by Oklahomans and mineral and rock enthusiasts from around the world,” Cerato said. “The citizens of Oklahoma, together with our elected officials, must hold the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority accountable in preserving this rare geological formation.”

The turnpike expansion would not only be devastating for area residents, but would also be catastrophic for WildCare, the state’s largest wildlife rehabilitation center and one of the largest in the nation, along with many endangered and threatened species in the area, according to Director Inger Giuffrida.

House Dems join State Auditor's call for AG to act on Epic case

 

Democrats Join Auditor’s Call for Attorney General to Act on Epic

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Several House Democrats released a joint statement praising Auditor Cindy Byrd’s investigation into EPIC Youth Services and joining her call for Attorney General John O’Connor to act in response to the auditor’s findings of possible criminal activity.

“It has become clear, after hearing from Auditor Byrd on multiple occasions, that millions of taxpayer dollars flowed through EPIC and into the pockets of the school’s founders.

House passes bill to require passing citizenship test as graduation requirement, Dems oppose

Believe it or not, but I actually am sympathetic to the argument the House Dems make in their press release response to the passage of this bill. Read on:

O’Donnell Bill To Require Citizenship Test for Students Passes House

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Speaker Pro Tempore Terry O’Donnell, R-Catoosa, on Monday won passage of a bill in the House that would help students become more engaged citizens.

House Bill 2030 would require high school students to pass the civics portion of the United States’ naturalization test in order to graduate beginning in the 2022-23 school year.

“Unfortunately, too many of our students graduate high school without basic knowledge of how our nation was founded or how our system of government works,” O’Donnell said. “This legislation would help correct that, leading to a more engaged and informed electorate in the future.”

O’Donnell explained this is the same test required of anyone desiring to become a citizen of the United States. Fourteen other states have adopted similar legislation.

HB 2030 would require subject matter standards for history, social studies, and U.S. Government courses in Oklahoma public schools to include the study of important historical documents, including the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Emancipation Proclamation, and Federalist Papers. Subject matter standards for U.S. Government also must include simulations of the democratic process and lessons on the structure and relationship between national, state, county and local governments.

O’Donnell said he too many students graduate without being able to answer basic questions such as how many branches of government exist in the United States or what actually is protected under the First Amendment to the Constitution. He said students would only have to achieve a bare minimum of a score of 60 in order to pass the test before graduation.

“That is not too high of a bar for young adults who will become part of our work force and our communities, and who will be future voters and perhaps even members of our government bodies,” O’Donnell said.

An amendment to the bill would exempt students that have an individualized education plan (IEP).

HB 2030 passed the House with a vote of 80-18. It now advances to the state Senate where it is authored by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond.  

House Democrats Oppose More Testing for High Schoolers

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Members of the House Democratic Caucus released the following statements today in opposition to House Bill 2030, which requires Oklahoma public school students to take a citizenship test before graduation.

"I’m not concerned about making Oklahoma students take the US Citizenship test,” said Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City. “But, the concerns expressed about people in Portland, Seattle, and Washington D.C. won’t be solved by making Oklahoma students take a test.

“Oklahomans deserve better than political posturing in the guise of pandering to patriotism.”

“I like the idea of our students taking the US Naturalization test as an assignment as a part of a unit when the content is delivered, traditionally in the 8th grade,” said Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa. “I can’t support making it a graduation requirement which only creates more unnecessary mandatory testing for our children. Oklahoma parents have spoken loud and clear- our kids have testing fatigue. Testing isn’t the only way to assess a child’s mastery of a subject.

“This bill is ill-conceived, loosely designed, and poorly executed. It will not turn out well for Oklahoma children if we adopt loose testing protocols, security, and implementation.”

“As a former 8th-grade public school history teacher, I can attest that teachers already cover in-depth what the U.S. Naturalization Test assesses,” said Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman. “Further, as a believer in the importance of  hands-on kinesthetic learning, I know that children learn better by doing rather than by prepping for a one-time test, and if we really want our students to learn about civics on a deeper level, we should invest in civics curriculum that truly engages our children.”

“It is not our business to legislate standards, especially when we already have a civics curriculum,” said Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa. “Imposing test requirements that override the work of Oklahoma educators will not solve the problems we face. Students and teachers don’t need another mandate. They need a government that works for them. ”

Wide-ranging reaction to Epic Charter Schools audit

Epic Charter Schools has been the subject of a recent audit as ordered by Governor Stitt. Last week, State Auditor Cindy Byrd released the first part of the audit at a press conference in Oklahoma City.

In this post, you can read reactions from:

• Epic Charter Schools
• Governor Stitt and State Superintendent Hofmeister
• House Democrats
• The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

House Dems complain about Stitt's use of some COVID funds for private schools

Democrats Respond to Governor’s Use of Public Ed Money for Private Schools

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Members of the Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus today responded to Governor Stitt announcing his plan to give at least $10 million out of $39.9 million in the GEER funds to private schools.

The Democratic lawmakers point out that private schools have additional opportunities to generate revenue, like tuition and forgivable federal small business loans, that public schools don’t have.

Since the GEER fund was announced by the US Department of Education in March as an effort to help schools navigate the pandemic, Oklahoma Democrats and Oklahoma’s public education community have made it clear that these public funds should not go to private schools.

Three Democratic state legislators endorse different candidates

With the Oklahoma Presidential primary on Tuesday, several of the Democratic candidates have made some effort at reaching Oklahoma voters. Michael Bloomberg made another campaign stop in the OKC metro this week, and candidates like Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren have had their campaigns make swings through on the campaign trail.

Public endorsements by state legislators, however, seem to have been few and far between. Of the 33 Democrats in the legislature, I've only seen three of them endorse one of the fourteen Democrats on Oklahoma's presidential primary ballot:

Endorsements so far:

• Joe Biden: State Rep. Ajay Pittman
• Mike Bloomberg: State Sen. Kevin Matthews
• Bernie Sanders: State Rep. Jacob Rosecrants

Legislation filed to establish ‘Veterans Suicide Awareness Week’

Legislation To Establish ‘Veterans Suicide Awareness Week’ Filed

OKLAHOMA CITY -- State Rep. Jacob Rosecrants (D-Norman) filed legislation for consideration during the 2020 Legislative Session designed to bring awareness to veteran suicide.

House Bill 2891 would establish “Veterans Suicide Awareness Week” in Oklahoma, which would take place the second week of every October. The legislation was prompted by one of Rosecrants’ constituents whose son died by suicide. Damien Eckstein was a US Army veteran of the Iraq War who died Oct. 14, 2013. 

“These men and women were willing to go to some pretty dark places in the world in service to this country. Now, when they are home, they need our help,” Rosecrants said. “As a lawmaker, I feel like its part of my duty to provide support to these individuals anyway I can.” 

According to the 2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report -- published by the  US Department of Veteran Affairs -- the most recent data suggests that veterans are 1.5 times more likely to attempt suicide than men and women who haven’t served. In 2017, 85 Oklahoma veterans died by suicide.

“This legislation is about bringing awareness to this problem and hopefully building some momentum to solve it,” Rosecrants said.

Rosecrants encourages anyone with comments or suggestions on this legislation to call (405)557-7329 or email jacob.rosecrants@gmail.com.

House Dems Education Caucus decries removal of April 1 funding deadline

House Dem Ed Caucus Members Sounds Off on Removal of April 1 Deadline

OKLAHOMA CITY – Members of the Oklahoma House Democratic  Education Caucus released the following statements in response to the House voting 72 to 20 to remove the April 1 public education funding deadline.

“Noncompliance is not a good reason to repeal a state statute,” said Rep. Kelly Albright (D-Midwest City). “This legislation feels like an attack on education advocates that continue to fight for proper education funding.”

“Oklahoma’s Legislature has one constitutional mandate: to pass a balanced budget,” said Rep. Andy Fugate (D-OKC). “That should always be our top priority ahead of ALL other business. That’s our job and our responsibility to the people of Oklahoma. If we made this Constitutional obligation a priority like we should, meeting this deadline wouldn’t be impossible, it would be easy.”

“I just voted against a measure on the floor to repeal the statutory requirement to approve an education budget by April 1 of each year,” said Rep. Melissa Provenzano (D-Tulsa). “School districts could plan better for the coming year if they knew their budget by the April 1 deadline. The requirement has only been met twice since inception. It’s possible and it’s not too much to ask. This is an optics issue, plain and simple. Nobody likes to look bad when they can’t get their job done on time. Is that the best reason to repeal this law?  We don’t think so.”

“I find it troubling that the powers that be can simply change a statute just because they don’t want to follow a statute,” said Rep. Jacob Rosecrants (D-Norman). “Providing a fully funded budget for our schools by April 1st shows that we indeed do prioritize our schools. Taking it away is a step back, not a step forward. Funding education should always be our number one priority.”

“The April 1 deadline was put in place to help Oklahoma administrators have the ability to plan ahead,” said Rep. John Waldron (D-Tulsa). “We should be striving to meet this goal every year not working to get rid of it. Our education professionals desperately need stability and consistency from the Legislature, and I am afraid that removing this deadline is a step away from both.”

Democrats take another legislative seat in HD46 special election

In the special election held in House District 46 today, Democrats once again emerged victorious, snatching another Republican-held seat away and continuing their recent success in special elections. Democrats have lost only one legislative special election since April 2015, flipping two House seats (HD85 and HD75) and two Senate seats (SD34 and SD44). The "one that got away" was HD28, which Republican Zach Taylor held for the GOP by a mere 56 votes.

Democrat Jacob Rosecrants defeated Republican Darin Chambers 60.41% to 39.59%. Ironically, that's the exact same percentage that Scott Martin defeated Rosecrants by in 2016,  four and a half months before Martin announced his resignation to take a job with the Norman Chamber of Commerce.

House District 46 has a Republican District Rating (RDR) of 48.7, making it the 13th-most Democrat Republican-held seat (36th most Democrat out of 101 seats). Still, past elections have been heavily weighted to the Republican side; 60.41% in 2016, 64.4% in 2014, unopposed in 2012, 80.3% in 2010, 65.76% in 2008.

Until the continued drip, drip of scandals coming from Republicans at the State Capitol is stopped, Republicans can likely expect more losses in the future. The Democrats were unable to turn special election success into general election success in 2016, but 2018 may be different.