Reynolds files bill to restrict state hiring of ex-legislators

Bill Filed to Ban Lawmakers from Most State Jobs

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 9, 2012) – State Rep. Mike Reynolds has filed legislation to eliminate loopholes that allow state lawmakers to accept high-paying state jobs after leaving the Oklahoma Legislature.

House Bill 2194 would make it illegal for any Oklahoma lawmaker to take a state government job that pays more than the base legislative salary. The ban would be in place for two years after a legislator steps down from his elective position.

“If lawmakers can be good public servants while earning $38,000 in the Oklahoma Legislature, they should be able to do the same thing at the same salary if they want to continue working in state government,” said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. “Most importantly, this legislation will end the perception that some legislators have used their political connections to feather their nest with cushy government jobs after they leave elective office.”

Although there is currently a ban on lawmakers taking state jobs for two years after the end of their terms in office, that ban applies only to positions funded directly by legislative appropriations. That loophole has allowed lawmakers to accept jobs paid with federal dollars or fee revenue that is not appropriated.

“I think Oklahoma citizens have made it clear that they do not want legislators to work in state government immediately following the end of their terms in office to reduce the chance of someone selling votes for a job,” Reynolds said. “By ensuring lawmakers can only take positions paying the same as the base legislative salary, we can end the perception of corruption that troubles so many Oklahoma citizens.”

Reynolds files this bill after controversy erupted in early 2011 over three ex-legislators receiving state jobs right after leaving office.

• State Sen. Glenn Coffee was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin to serve as Secretary of State; Coffee had left the state senate in 2010 due to term limits. 
• State Sen. Randy Brogdon was hired by Insurance Commissioner John Doak to work in the Insurance Department; Brogdon had left the state senate in 2010 to run for governor.
• State Rep. Mike Thompson was hired by Insurance Commissioner John Doak to work in the Insurance Department; Thompson had left the state house in 2010 to run for Congress.

In the case of the three men, each of their salaries was paid for by agency-collected fees, in order to comply with the ban on ex-legislators being paid with legislatively-appropriated dollars for two years after leaving office. 

Former State Sen. Owen Laughlin also took a position with Commissioner Doak, but unlike the others, Laughlin had been out of office for four years, making his hiring clearly above any controversy.

Jett Endorsed James Lankford

5th District congressional candidate James Lankford picked up another endorsement today, from former opponent Shane Jett.

I have been honored to serve the families of Oklahoma House District 27 for six years. When I filed for Congress earlier this year, it was clear to me that many of the problems facing the nation today originated in our nation’s Capitol. Many issues that we face today as a state can only be resolved with effective leadership in Washington D.C. Throughout the race, Ana and I were honored with the support of so many great volunteers and to receive thousands of votes. We thank you for your trust and support!

On August 24th, voters have the opportunity to choose the republican nominee who will likely become our next U.S. Congressman. That day, Ana and I will be voting for James Lankford. Throughout the campaign and today, James has had only one interest in mind: to serve the residents of the 5th Congressional District.

James has been truthful about his work experience, transparent about his motivations and never misled anyone about his professional background. With James, what you see is what you get. His sincerity, honesty and candor gives me confidence to say unequivocally and emphatically that James Lankford is the best choice for this Republican run off on August 24th. For me and my family, it comes down to one fundamental ingredient: character and more to the point integrity. My wife, Ana, and I hope you join us in supporting James Lankford with your vote, your finances and your volunteer time. So don’t forget… Vote for James Lankford!

Lankford has also been endorsed by Mike Thompson and Rick Flanigan - both were unsuccessful candidates in the July 27th GOP primary. Lankford and Kevin Calvey are in a runoff, which will take place on August 24th.

Post-Primary Endorsements

With the primaries over, and a handful of runoffs begun, unsuccessful candidates are beginning to issue their endorsements. In some cases, they're also being conspicuously silent.

Governor's Race

Democrat Drew Edmondson endorsed Jari Askins on election night. Governor Brad Henry also endorsed Askins on Thursday.

On the Republican side, Roger Jackson endorsed Mary Fallin on Wednesday, and Robert Hubbard threw his support behind Fallin on Thursday. However, Randy Brogdon has been tight-lipped on his plans. He told Oklahoma Watchdog's Andrew Griffin that he would take a few days off and think about it.

I'm very disappointed that Brogdon has waited this long to say anything, and that he continues to wait. Randy Brogdon knows what it has been like in the state legislature with a Democrat governor, and that we really can't afford another four years like the last eight. Too much is at stake here for Republicans and conservatives to not unify behind Mary Fallin, who, while not as conservative as Randy Brogdon, is way more conservative than liberal Jari Askins. Larry Jackson has a good post on the subject here.

5th Congressional District Race

Rick Flanigan put his support behind James Lankford on Wednesday, and Mike Thompson, who placed third in the seven-way primary, also endorsed Lankford this morning.

Shane Jett, the fourth place finisher, has not indicated who he will support, but his one-year old daughter was taken to the hospital on Wednesday after having a severe seizure. He has a valid reason for his lack of endorsement.

The Blogging Brief

• Travis Gearhart at KTracy.com has penned a good article about Open Carry, which is particularly relevant given recent legislation in the Oklahoma Legislature regarding the aforementioned subject.

• SoonerPoll surveyed the 5th Congressional District race during the past two weeks (February 25th through March 10th... seems to me like a very long poll timetable). Kevin Calvey came in first, with 19.9%, Mike Thompson had 8.6%, and James Lankford got 7%; 62.6% were undecided. I met Lankford here in Muskogee this weekend, and found him to be a very appealing candidate. Since it appears unlikely for any candidate to receive 50%+1, this race will go to a runoff. If Lankford can make the runoff, he could very well enter as the frontrunner, as he seems well-set to draw either Thompson's voters or Calvey's supporters, depending on whoever else is in the runoff.

• This past week was very contentious in the Oklahoma Legislature. Tempers flared over texting-while-driving bans, open carry legislation, and the moving of President Obama's portrait.

• House Democrats are apparently considering using the "Slaughter Solution" to pass ObamaCare without actually voting on the bill. Larry Jackson has more information here.

• The Texas State Board of Education has recommended new changes to state curriculum, specifically as it relates to social studies. Here's a very biased AP article on the issue, complete with historical errors, such as referring to John Calvin (one of the great Reformers of the 16th Century) as a "Puritan theologian". Calvin preceded the Puritan movement, although his teachings did influence aspects of it.

Jett to Announce For Congress

Confirming rumors that have surfaced over the past few weeks, State Rep. Shane Jett (R-Tecumseh) will announce tomorrow that he will seek the Republican nomination for the 5th Congressional District seat.

The office is being vacated by Congresswoman Mary Fallin, who is running for governor.

According to an email sent out today, Jett's announcement will be made in a press conference at noon on Friday, inside the State Capitol.

Jett enters a crowded field for the Republican nomination led by Kevin Calvey, James Lankford, and fellow state representative Mike Thompson, along with two other relatively unknown candidates, Johhny Roy and Rick Flanigan. At this point, no Democrat has filed papers with the FEC. Independent Clark Duffe has announced his intention to run.