Small: Mississippi is beating Oklahoma (again)

Mississippi is beating Oklahoma (again)

By Jonathan Small

I recently noted that Mississippi students are dramatically outperforming their Oklahoma peers when it comes to reading.

Now Mississippi officials are seeking to dramatically outpace Oklahoma in the race for jobs by eliminating its tax on work and investment – the state income tax.

Mississippi currently has an income-tax rate of 4.7 percent, which is already lower than Oklahoma’s top rate of 4.75 percent, and the rate in Mississippi was also scheduled to fall to 4 percent in 2026.

But now, with passage of Mississippi’s House Bill 1, that state’s income tax is on the path to full repeal.

1889 Institute: Californians relocating to Oklahoma, please do so responsibly

I stumbled across this shirt online, which fits the below column very well

Be Careful What You Wish For

By Brad Galbraith

The state of Oklahoma has California in its sights.

Persistently bad policymaking in California has resulted in a heavy tax burden, an outrageous cost of living, and, consequently, a mass exodus. The ensuing tyranny and oppression should be a clarion call to California emigrants to execute an abrupt about-face and abandon public policies and elected officials that created this condition.

To connect the dots between policy and affordability, consider one aspect of the cost of living – the price of gasoline. In the modern economy, transportation is a necessity and the price of gas is likely one of the transportation costs with which almost everyone can relate.

California and Oklahoma are similarly situated in household and individual relationships to automobiles. In California, 93.1% of households had access to at least one vehicle compared to 94.4% of Oklahoma households. 83.3% of California commuters chose to drive or carpool to work, compared to 92.2% of Oklahoma commuters. According to one study, per 100 residents, California had 38.1 vehicles registered while Oklahoma had 32.8. This similarity will help paint a clear picture of the extent to which public policy has burdened Californians.

At the time of this writing, the average price per gallon of gas in California was $3.17 per gallon, more than a dollar higher than the national average. This is crazy, especially for Oklahomans accustomed to an average price of $1.81. A recent publication by the American Petroleum Institute gives some insight into the dramatic difference. Spoiler – it has a lot to do with public policy. 

California tax policy places a high burden on drivers. State-specific taxes and fees amount to a nation-leading 81.2 cents per gallon of gasoline. By contrast, Oklahoma is a quarter of that amount, coming in at 20 cents per gallon. Additionally, California’s politicians have been antagonistic toward gasoline-fueled automobiles, such as a recent executive order demanding that all new cars sold in California have “zero-emissions.” 

This, along with numerous other examples, should serve as a wake-up call, a realization that public policy matters. It can either preserve freedom or impose tyranny. So, Californians who relocate businesses to Oklahoma, please do so responsibly.

Take the time necessary to reflect on why you are leaving California. Contemplate how public policy has contributed to the condition from which you flee. Then observe how free enterprise policies foster an environment of freedom within which businesses and residents can thrive.

As the tendencies toward paternalistic governance, aversion to free markets, and love of hyper-regulation begin to dissipate and the fresh, crisp air of freedom has filled your lungs, take action. Vote to preserve liberty for yourself and others for generations to come.  

1889 Institute: Oklahoma is OK, but seriously, that's not OK

Oklahoma Is OK, but Seriously, That’s Not OK

By Byron Schlomach

The Americans at the table, negotiating a business deal, ask one of their number, “You can speak Dutch?” He replies, “I’m OK.” He proceeds to tell the Dutch that the Americans really need a hug when he was supposed to say they really need the deal. As one of the Dutch negotiators gives an American a hug, the AT&T commercial ends with the announcer saying, “When just OK is not OK.”

When I see one of those “Just OK Is Not OK” commercials, I think of the license plates that were once so common – “Oklahoma is OK.” As someone whose job is to develop policy suggestions to make Oklahoma better, that slogan – Oklahoma is OK – gets in the way.

In many respects, Oklahoma really is OK. We don’t have the best tax system, but it’s not the worst. Our taxes aren’t lowest, but they’re not nearly the highest. Our roads are pretty terrible, but eight states have worse. Eleven states have worse education systems, by one ranking. Oklahoma is now included in a list of “judicial hell holes,” but we have a lower unemployment rate than over half the states. It can’t be that bad, right?

OCPA column: Surprise -- NYC and Boise City are very different

Surprise: New York City, Boise City, are very different

By Jonathan Small

New York City and Boise City, Oklahoma, are very different places. That’s not a news flash to most, but it is to some who want COVID-19 responses implemented nationwide as though there’s no difference between one state and the next.

An important debate is underway about our nation’s federalist system, which gives states great latitude to adopt different policy approaches based on differing local conditions—including how states work to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

A “one size fits all” nationwide edict on COVID-19 would either fail to protect the most vulnerable citizens or unduly restrict the lives of millions to no effect. Consider the following facts, which should be included in any calculation regarding virus spread. New York City has a population density of over 27,000 people per square mile. Oklahoma City’s population density is 956 people per square mile, and Oklahoma’s statewide density is 54.7 people per mile. Cimarron County, Oklahoma, where Boise City is located, has a population density of 1.3 people per mile.

No serious person would argue the steps needed to reduce virus spread in Cimarron County and New York City are the same, yet some activists suggest otherwise.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who has not issued a statewide “shelter in place” mandate, recently argued, forcefully, that states should base policies on facts and science in their own state, not elsewhere.

“The people themselves are primarily responsible for their safety,” Noem said. “They are the ones that are entrusted with expansive freedoms—they’re free to exercise their rights to work, to worship, and to play—or to even stay at home, or to conduct social distancing.”

She noted South Dakota officials have urged citizens to socially distance and practice strict hygiene measures since February. Because people have observed those admonitions, Noem said South Dakota “has been able to bend the curve a great deal” and the projected peak for COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations continues to move “farther and farther out into the future.”

“South Dakota is not New York City,” Noem said, noting in particular the state’s “sparse” population density.

“The calls to apply for a ‘one size fits all’ approach to this problem in South Dakota is herd mentality,” Noem said. “It’s not leadership.”

The University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation has issued COVID-19 projections for all 50 states. Early this week those projections showed South Dakota would hit a peak of nine COVID-19 deaths per day in late April. In contrast, New York’s peak was expected to hit 878 per day.

Those figures show Noem is correct. Those who argue South Dakota’s approach is a failure because it doesn’t copy New York’s virus response are not facing reality; they’re ignoring it.

Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

OCPA: minimum teacher salaries, Oklahoma vs Texas

Curtis Shelton, OCPA Policy Research Fellow

MINIMUM TEACHER SALARIES: OKLAHOMA VS. TEXAS

Much has been made of teachers fleeing the state for higher salaries in Texas. This is a primary argument by the Oklahoma Education Association (OEA) when explaining their demands for the Legislature to increase minimum teaching salaries in Oklahoma. Data from the National Education Association show the average starting salary for an Oklahoma teacher is $31,919; in Texas, the average is $40,725. However, the minimum salary for beginning teachers in Texas is just $28,080, versus Oklahoma’s minimum starting salary of $31,600.

Why do Texas teachers make so much more than their state’s minimum salary while Oklahoma teachers do not? It happens because teacher salaries are not set by the Legislature, but by individual school districts in both states. The real difference lies in how much control school districts have over their own funds and the priorities of district leaders.

Texas has no income tax but has higher property taxes than in Oklahoma. Texas relies primarily on local property taxes to fund public schools and gives districts more freedom in how to use those dollars, including for teacher pay. In Oklahoma, those dollars are put into silos and can only be used for specific purposes, such as buildings and furniture or bonds to pay for buildings or technology. That means that last year more than $2 billion of local revenue wasn’t allowed to follow the teacher into the classroom in Oklahoma.

Also, comparing average Oklahoma teacher salaries to teacher salaries in specific Texas communities like Denton or Highland Park is misleading. These Texas districts are very wealthy compared to most of Oklahoma and have huge amounts of local property tax revenue to spend on teacher pay. A school district like Pampa, Texas, with a much smaller population and less property tax revenue, gives a much better comparison of teacher compensation. The Pampa Independent School District pays an average salary of $47,881 while Oklahoma teachers make an average of $46,292.

If Oklahoma wants to compete with Texas, including for teachers, we should consider how they fund education and understand why it is possible to pay teachers more south of the Red River.

Ted Cruz and Glenn Beck making stops in Oklahoma on Sunday

Presidential candidate Ted Cruz has announced three stops in Oklahoma on Sunday:

Tulsa
Cruz will be at the Central Park Hall at Expo Square (map) from 12:30pm to 2:30pm. Doors will open at 11:30am. Reserve a ticket at this link.


Oklahoma City
Cruz and special guest Glenn Beck will be at the Chevy Bricktown Events Center (map) from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Doors open at 3:15pm. Tickets are limited for this location -- reserve a ticket at this link.

Lawton
Cruz will be at the Comanche County Fairgrounds, Annex Building (map) from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Doors will open at 6:30pm. Reserve a ticket at this link.

Oklahoman Poll: Trump 29%, Rubio 21%, Cruz 20%, 18% undecided

A new poll by Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates (commissioned by the Daily Oklahoman) finds Donald Trump continuing to hold a lead in Oklahoma, ahead of next week's primary.

Oklahoma Republican Primary Poll (link)

The Oklahoma/Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates

400 likely Republican voters, conducted Feb. 22nd-23rd, MoE +/- 4.9%

Donald Trump - 29%
Marco Rubio - 21%
Ted Cruz - 20%
Ben Carson - 6%
John Kasich - 5%
Undecided - 18%
Other - 2%

18% undecided is a very large amount for this late in the game. For comparison, the most recent Oklahoma poll done by SoonerPoll had 7.7% undecided. Trump, Rubio and Cruz are making stops in Oklahoma between now and Sunday, each hoping to make tip the state into their win column on Super Tuesday.

Sanders, Rubio, Trump and Cruz coming to Oklahoma

With "Super Tuesday" coming up next week, presidential candidates on both sides of the aisle are planning stops in Oklahoma.

Alabama, Alaska (Republicans), American Samoa (Democrats), Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Dakota (Republicans), Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Wyoming (Republicans) all vote on March 1st. 689 delegates are up for grabs on the Republican side, and 1017 are at stake on the Democratic side.

Bernie Sanders will be in Tulsa on Wednesday afternoon. Details and tickets here.

Marco Rubio will be in Oklahoma City on Friday afternoon. Details and tickets here.

Donald Trump will be in Oklahoma City on Friday evening. Details and tickets here.

Congressman Jim Bridenstine told KFAQ that Ted Cruz will be in Tulsa on Sunday (no details have been announced yet).  UPDATE (2/24): Cruz will make stops on Sunday in Tulsa (12:30pm), Oklahoma City (4pm), and Lawton (7:30pm).

SoonerPoll: Trump 30%, Cruz 25%, Rubio 21% in Oklahoma

SoonerPoll/News9/News on 6 Oklahoma Presidential Tracking Poll (PDF link)

414 likely voters registered Republican, conducted Feb. 6th to 9th.

MoE +/- 4.81%. Numbers in parentheses are from Jan. 17th-19th survey (PDF).

Donald Trump - 30.4% (35.1%)   -4.7%
Ted Cruz - 25.4% (25.0%)   +0.4%
Marco Rubio - 21.0% (9.6%)   +11.4%
Ben Carson - 5.6% (7.8%)   -2.2%
Jeb Bush - 4.6% (4.4%)   +0.2%
John Kasich - 2.9%
Carly Fiorina - 1.5% (1.3%)   +0.2%
Chris Christie - 1.4% (3.1%)   -1.7%
Jim Gilmore - 0.0%
Unsure/Other - 7.7% (7.0%)   +0.7%

SoonerPoll: Trump loses steam, Cruz remains steady, Rubio rockets to a close third

The latest SoonerPoll tracking of the Republican presidential candidates continues to show Trump leading, but the effect of those dropping out of the race and the decline of others may spell problems for him through Super Tuesday.

Donald Trump seems to be stuck.  While currently at 30 percent of the Republican electorate, he has not been able to break 35 percent which has been his high among the last four SoonerPolls since September of last year.

“Early on, Trump’s been able to channel the anger and frustration felt among Republicans toward President Obama,” said Bill Shapard, founder of the SoonerPoll, “but anger and frustration can only take you so far in a presidential race.”

Link: Toplines and Crosstabs

The poll also reflects the impact of two Republican candidates who have dropped out since the last poll was taken, Rand Paul and Mike Huckabee.

Those undecided have increased three percent since the last poll, but it should be noted that the 7.7 percent of Republicans who are now undecided is extremely low compared to 28 percent undecided in the Democratic ballot.

The greatest change in this poll is Marco Rubio, who rocketed to 21 percent from 10 percent just a week and half ago after initially falling seven points since November.  Rubio has been performing well in national polling as well and went under attack at Saturday’s debate in New Hampshire.  It should be noted that this poll started fielding on Saturday before the debate and ended Monday night, so it includes support of Rubio before and after his much criticized debate performance.  Some national polling since the debate has shown some negative impact while other polls have not.

Ted Cruz had been on a steady climb since the first poll last November and remains at 25 percent since the last poll a week and half ago.

Ben Carson continued his decline, falling another 2 points since the last poll where he experienced a 10-point fall from the November poll, and a combined drop of nearly 17 points since last September.

Liberal and moderate Republicans, which only makes up one-in-four Republicans, favor Trump while all three top vote-getters almost evenly split the conservative Republican vote, which is 70 percent of the electorate.

None of the candidates have an edge among male or female voters, but Trump leads among Boomers and Seniors — the largest voting block — by four to nine points which is helping him maintain his lead.

“While there is a lot movement in this poll, Trump, who remains the front-runner with a small lead now, is not benefiting from it,” said Shapard.  “The lose of two more candidates and Carson’s decline… these votes don’t appear to be going to Trump.”

Shapard went on to speculate that as the field narrows the consolidation could push one or two other candidates beyond Trump, who has only been able to remain the front-runner because of a large field of candidates.

More OK Legislators Endorse Rubio, Bring Total to 19

More OK Legislators Endorse Rubio, Bring Total to 19
When the Oklahoma Legislature reconvenes Monday, nearly one out of every five Republican legislators will be public supporters of Senator Marco Rubio’s campaign for President.

The Marco Rubio for President campaign today announced new endorsements from Oklahoma State Senators Larry Boggs and Ervin Yen. The support of these two strong conservative leaders adds to the Rubio campaign's already strong Oklahoma organization, led by state chairman Senator David Holt.

"Our state and our country need a strong conservative in the White House and that is what we will get with Marco Rubio," said Oklahoma State Senator Larry Boggs. "Marco is a next-generation leader that will restore our nation's founding principles and improve the lives of people across this country. I'm proud to be supporting him and hope Oklahomans will join with me in voting for him on March 1.”

"Marco Rubio is the one Republican running that can defeat Hillary Clinton and lead our country in a conservative direction," said Oklahoma State Senator Ervin Yen. "His uplifting message will inspire voters and his policies will ensure that the 21st Century is indeed an American Century. I'm happy to be joining an already impressive list of Oklahoma leaders backing Marco."

"We are so glad that leaders like Senator Boggs and Senator Yen are uniting around Marco Rubio's candidacy," said Jeremy Adler, regional spokesman for the Rubio campaign. "Marco is offering an optimistic message of a New American Century and having these individuals on our team to promote that positive vision will allow us to do well in Oklahoma.”

The full list of 19 Oklahoma legislators who have endorsed Senator Rubio is as follows:

Senator David Holt (R - Oklahoma City), State Chairman
Senator Larry Boggs (R - Wilburton)
Senator Kim David (R - Porter)
Senator Eddie Fields (R - Wynona)
Senator Jack Fry (R - Midwest City)
Senator A.J. Griffin (R - Guthrie)
Senator Wayne Shaw (R - Grove)
Senator Frank Simpson (R - Springer)
Senator Jason Smalley (R - Stroud)
Senator Roger Thompson (R - Okemah)
Senator Ervin Yen (R - Oklahoma City)
Rep. Josh Cockroft (R - Wanette)
Rep. Randy Grau (R - Edmond)
Rep. Katie Henke (R - Tulsa)
Rep. Dan Kirby (R - Tulsa)
Rep. Terry O’Donnell (R - Tulsa)
Rep. Leslie Osborn (R - Mustang)
Rep. Paul Wesselhoft (R - Moore)
Rep. Harold Wright (R - Weatherford)

Senator Rubio will be a candidate in the March 1st Oklahoma Republican presidential primary.  Oklahoma supporters of Senator Rubio’s campaign can receive updates from Senator Rubio's campaign in Oklahoma by following @TeamMarcoOK on Twitter or liking TeamMarcoOK on Facebook.

Dan Boren looking at Governor's race in 2018

Dan Boren exploring run for Oklahoma governor in 2018

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) —Dan Boren, a former Democratic congressman from one of Oklahoma's most distinguished political families, says he's actively exploring a run for Oklahoma's open governor seat in 2018.

After spending the last three years working on business development for the Chickasaw Nation, Boren told The Associated Press that he's started meeting with state political and business leaders and developing policy proposals in preparation for a potential candidacy.

"I am taking all of the necessary steps to become a candidate for governor and I will make a final decision at the end of this year," Boren said in an interview Friday. "I began taking some of those steps late last year by visiting with business leaders, community leaders, civic leaders, also legislative leaders."

Boren, 42, hasn't started raising money or interviewing political consultants, but said he believes there is a "very doable" path for a Democrat to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Mary Fallin, despite GOP dominance at the polls in the last several cycles in Oklahoma.

Read more here.

Oklahoma AgSec Jim Reese endorses Rubio

Jim Reese Endorses Marco Rubio as “good guardian” for Oklahoma Agriculture

The Marco Rubio for President Oklahoma State Chairman, Senator David Holt, has announced that Jim Reese, longtime champion for Oklahoma agriculture, is endorsing Marco Rubio.

"Marco Rubio will restore sanity and restraint to the federal regulations that are coming down like rain from this current administration, and I am proud to support him,” said Reese.  "Oklahoma agriculture has produced more and safer food every year of this decade despite many challenging conditions and headwinds from Washington. With a good guardian like Marco Rubio as President, our efforts will be bolstered."

“Jim Reese is unquestionably one of Oklahoma agriculture’s greatest champions,” said Senator Holt.   “His endorsement, joining Congressman Markwayne Mullin, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Eddie Fields, and almost a dozen rural legislators, speaks volumes.  Marco Rubio is the best Republican presidential candidate for Oklahoma agriculture."

Marco Rubio is a candidate in the March 1st Oklahoma Republican presidential primary.  He most recently visited the state in September, when he paid his respects at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum and delivered a speech outlining his energy plan.  Oklahoma supporters of Marco Rubio’s campaign can receive updates by following @TeamMarcoOK on Twitter or liking TeamMarcoOK on Facebook.

(Ed. note: Reese serves as Commissioner of Agriculture, and in 

Gov. Fallin's cabinet as Secretary of Agriculture.)

Trump leads Cruz 32% to 28% in new Oklahoma poll

A brand new (as in, started in October) website casting itself as a polling organization has a new set of polls for the Republican and Democratic primaries in Oklahoma. Take these numbers with a huge grain of salt -- more on that below the report.

OvertimePolitics.com Oklahoma Republican Primary Poll ­ Dec 26­-29, 2015

Donald Trump holds a slight 4 point lead over Ted Cruz in Oklahoma ­ 32%-28%

Ted Cruz has narrowed the gap between himself and Donald Trump nationally, and it appears as though he is doing so in Oklahoma as well. Though Oklahoma does border Texas, Trump’s support is not quite as strong as he would probably like in the Sooner State.

In a distant 3rd place, in danger of missing the 15% threshold for any delegates, is Marco Rubio at 14%. Beyond that, Ben Carson has seemingly disappeared from the scene with 6%. The “other” category polled better than all but the top 4 candidates, while 6% of voters still do not know who they will vote for.

This poll was conducted by telephone to include 398 likely Republican Primary voters, with a margin of error of 5.2%. Phone numbers were selected at random through public phone records and cell phone lists.

Likely Republican Primary voters were asked the following question:

1. Who do you plan on voting for in the 2016 Republican Primary? Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, John Kasich, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, a candidate I did not name, or are you undecided?

Results:
Donald Trump ­ 127 ­ 32%
Ted Cruz ­ 111 ­ 28%
Marco Rubio ­ 56 ­ 14%
Ben Carson ­ 24 ­ 6%
Jeb Bush ­ 15 ­ 4%
Rand Paul ­ 8 ­ 2%
Chris Christie ­ 7 ­ 2%
Carly Fiorina ­ 5 ­ 1%
John Kasich ­ 3%
Other ­ 17 ­ 4%
Undecided ­ 25 ­ 6%

Like I said earlier, OvertimePolitics appears to have been started in October, so they have zero track record on polling accuracy. Furthermore, their methodology appears to be very unorthodox and unscientific, with no demographic sorting or weighting. It's simply the first X number of people who answer the phone. In that case, the margin of error figure they give is pretty much just made up.

That said, the most recent Oklahoma poll by an established and respected organization (SoonerPoll, Nov. 15th) had Trump leading Cruz 27.1% to 18.3%. SoonerPoll also had the same top four as OvertimePolitics - although at the time SoonerPoll had Rubio in fourth (16.3%) and Carson in third (17.5%).

So, once again, take this particular polling organization with a big grain of salt. On the Democratic side of things, they have Clinton leading Sanders in Oklahoma by 51% to 41%.

12 Republicans, 7 Democrats file for Oklahoma's presidential primary

The filing period for Oklahoma's March 1st, 2016 Presidential Preferential Primary was held Monday through Wednesday; a total of 19 candidates filed under the two main parties recognized in Oklahoma (the third, 'Americans Elect', has a grand total of nine (9) voters statewide).

Here are the candidates that will be on the primary ballot:

Democratic Primary Candidates

• Hillary Clinton (NY)
• Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente (CA)
• Keith Judd (TX)
• Star Locke (TX)
• Martin J. O'Malley (MD)
• Bernie Sanders (VT)
• Micahel A. Steinberg (FL)

Republican Primary Candidates

• Jeb Bush (FL)
• Ben Carson (FL)
• Chris Christie (NJ)
• Ted Cruz (TX)
• Carly Fiorina (VA)
• Lindsey Graham (SC)
• Mike Huckabee (FL)
• John R. Kasich (OH)
• Rand Paul (KY)
• Marco Rubio (FL)
• Rick Santorum (VA)
• Donald J. Trump (NY)

SoonerPoll: Trump leads in OK, but Cruz and Rubio surge

SoonerPoll, in conjunction with News 9/News on 6, today released a new Oklahoma presidential primary survey showing significant changes from their last report in September.

SoonerPoll/News9/News on 6 Oklahoma Presidential Tracking Poll (PDF link)
389 likely voters registered Republican, conducted Nov. 12th-15th.
MoE +/-5.1%. Numbers in parentheses are from Sept. 1st-15th survey.

Donald Trump - 27.1% (30.8%)   -3.7%
Ted Cruz - 18.3% (6.5%)   +11.8%
Ben Carson - 17.5% (22.5%)   -5.0%
Marco Rubio - 16.3% (4.1%)   +12.2%
Mike Huckabee - 4.3% (5.0%)   -0.7%
Carly Fiorina - 2.3% (8.3%)   -6.0%
Jeb Bush - 2.2% (6.2%)   -4.0%
Rand Paul - 2.2% (0.9%)   +1.3%
John Kasich - 0.5% (2.2%)   -1.7%
Other - 2.5% (3.1%)   -0.6%
Unsure - 6.7% (10.4%)   -3.7%

Cruz and Rubio both surged around 12%, while most other candidates fell 2-6 points. Trump's lead has been cut to single digits (8.8%), and there's essentially a three-way tie for second.

The bottom ten candidates combined (14%) don't even beat the fourth place candidate (Rubio at 16.3%). The presidential primary on the GOP side is swiftly becoming a four-man race.

KFOR: Oklahoma Obamacare premiums see 35% price hike

Right in time for Halloween, ObamaCare is out with some new - and scary - price increases for Oklahomans.

From KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City:

Oklahomans who buy health insurance on the federal marketplace could be in for sticker shock this year.

The Department of Health and Human Services is estimating premiums will jump 35 percent on average for the one company returning to the exchange this year: Blue Cross Blue Shield.

According to HHS, last year, more than 126,000 Oklahomans took their pick of plans from four different companies: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Community Care, Global Health and Assurant.

This year, three of those companies dropped out, and only one - United Healthcare - stepped in to replace them.

Read more here, and watch KFOR's clip below:


I'll take "Things Conservatives Said Would Happen" for $1000, Mr. Trebek.

On this note, let me point you once again to my posts on Samaritan Ministries, a non-insurance alternative for Christians that is exempt from the ObamaCare penalty-tax. It's been great for my family -- it's morally acceptable, financially affordable, and realistically usable. Take a leap of faith, and leave the insurance/ObamaCare mess behind!

Fallin: prepare plans for 10% cut in nonessential spending

As a state that is heavily dependent on oil and gas revenues, the recent collapse of energy prices is setting Oklahoma up for another "tough" budget year. Here's a press release from Governor Fallin, with some of my thoughts below:

Governor Mary Fallin Orders State Agencies to Develop 

Plans for 10% Cut in Nonessential Spending

A moratorium is also placed on nonessential out-of-state travel

OKLAHOMA CITY - With 2016 expected to be a challenging budget year, Governor Mary Fallin today issued an executive order requiring the chief administrative officer of every Oklahoma agency, board and commission to prepare written plans to reduce nonessential expenses by 10 percent for both the remainder of this fiscal year and for the entire 2017 fiscal year, which begins July 1. The executive order does not mandate any spending cuts; rather, it asks agency heads to plan for potential future cuts.

The plans are to include an explanation of how the dollars saved from the reduction will be reallocated to other needs within the agency. The written spending cut plans are due to each agency’s respective Cabinet secretary by Dec. 1, according to Executive Order 2015-46.

The governor also placed a moratorium on nonessential, taxpayer-funded, out-of-state travel for all state employees. Essential travel is limited to trips that are critical to core state agency functions, maintain professional accreditation unavailable in Oklahoma, are required by the federal government or are necessary to secure or maintain federal funding.

Also, effective Dec. 1, advance written notification must be given for proposed state payment of any:

• Agency, state and public employee or officer membership(s) in any private or public organization;
• Nonessential out-of-state travel for agency employees and officers that is wholly paid for by an entity other than the state, or;
• Nonemergency purchase(s) that exceed $10,000.

“I’m asking every agency to start planning for potential spending cuts and to develop a strategy that protects essential services,” said Fallin. “It’s important we get ahead of this issue as we enter a difficult budget year. Families and businesses tighten their belts during lean times; our state agencies can do the same.”

Revenue for the appropriated state budget for the 2016 fiscal year has come in below projections. A significant shortfall is expected to occur in the next budget year.

Here's a few thoughts I had on this.

"Non-essential spending"
If it's non-essential, why is government doing it? This reminds me of the federal government "shutdown" in 2013. Republicans [ostensibly] believe that government should be small and limited, which should preclude "nonessential" spending.

"Nonessential out-of-state travel"
Why is state government paying for any nonessential out-of-state travel to begin with?

Governor Fallin campaigned in 2010 and 2014 on "right-sizing" state government. Budget shortfalls provide the opportune time to do just that, yet we continue to see that state government hasn't really shrunk under Republican leadership.

The folks at OCPA have been beating this drum for a long time (example from earlier this year). State spending reached an all time high in 2015. It's time Republicans got serious and did more than "trim around the edges" of state government.

Carson 25%, Trump 19%, Rubio 9%, Cruz 7% in OK poll

A new presidential primary poll finds GOP candidate Ben Carson now beating Donald Trump in Oklahoma. Commissioned by The Oklahoman newspaper, the survey shows some significant movement from the last one released by SoonerPoll in September.

Oklahoma Republican Primary Survey (link)
The Oklahoman/Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates500 registered Republicans in Oklahoma, Oct. 19th-22nd, MoE +/- 4.3%

Ben Carson - 25%
Donald Trump - 19%
Marco Rubio - 9%
Ted Cruz - 7%
Mike Huckabee - 4%
Jeb Bush - 3%
Carly Fiorina - 2%
John Kasich - 2%
Chris Christie - 1%
Rand Paul - 1%
Santorum/Pataki/Jindal/Graham - 0%
Undecided - 27%

Carson stopped in Oklahoma this past week for some book signings, and now leads Trump in recent Iowa polling.

State Sen. Bice endorses Fiorina

State Sen. Stephanie Bice And Business Owner Linda Huggard Endorse Carly Fiorina

Bice and Huggard Point to Fiorina as the Political Outsider Who Will Fight for America

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Today, Oklahoma State Senator Stephanie Bice and Oklahoma business owner Linda Huggard announce their support for Carly Fiorina for President of the United States. Stephanie Bice is the State Representative for District 22, which includes northern Oklahoma County and eastern Canadian County, including parts of Edmond, Deer Creek, Piedmont and Yukon.  Linda Huggard is the Owner of Broadway Machine and Motor Supply.

Oklahoma State Senator Stephanie Bice:
“It's time for our country to benefit from the leadership qualities a woman like Carly Fiorina would bring to the oval office. Her no-nonsense attitude toward international relations and her goal to make the United States a world leader, economically and militarily, are just two from the long list of reasons why I'm throwing my support to her campaign. I hope to encourage all Oklahomans to join me."

Linda Huggard:
“Carly has a thorough knowledge of the problems, both foreign and domestic, that confront our nation.  She also realizes the urgency of solving those problems.  She has real and workable solutions. She has a keen mind, talent for communicating, ability to motivate people and a love for and dedication to this great nation. America would be fortunate indeed to have Carly in the Oval Office.”

State Senator Stephanie Bice and Business Owner Linda Huggard are joining a growing group of Americans nationwide who have been moved to support Carly’s candidacy because of her willingness to challenge the professional political class and take on the status quo.


Note: Fiorina becomes the fourth current GOP presidential candidate to receive public support from Oklahoma elected officials, joining Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz, and Donald Trump.

Scott Pruitt: "I’m all in for Jeb"

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt joined the campaign team of presidential candidate and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

From the McCarville Report:

Jeb Bush today announced the support of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt. He said Pruitt will serve in a national role for his campaign, as National Chairman of Federal-State Relations for the Jeb 2016 campaign

“Scott and I share a common vision for empowering the states and limiting the intrusion of federal government in every area of our lives, I’m excited to have him as part of the team.  I look forward to working him and members of the task force to continue to demonstrate my plan as president to restore our country,” Bush said.

Pruitt said, “I have never been as excited for a presidential election as I am for this one. Our Party is poised to reclaim the White House and rebuild the faith in America that has been lost under the Obama presidency. After getting to know the strong field of candidates, I am convinced Governor Bush has the courage and humility our country needs to prosper and recover the American Dream. In my time with Jeb, I’ve personally observed his devotion to his wife and children, his love of country, and his optimism and hope in what America can become. Jeb’s track record as governor of Florida demonstrates when you serve and lead with conservative convictions, government works, government shrinks, and most importantly, the lives of Americans are improved.

“I am honored to serve as Governor Bush’s National Chairman of Federal-State Relations.  Governor Bush is the only candidate in the race for President that has a plan to bring a much needed structural reset between the relationship of the federal government and states to make Washington less consequential in our lives.  I encourage all conservatives to look past the theatrics of the primary and get acquainted with the authenticity, character and experienced leadership of Gov. Bush.  He is the right man at the right time to lead our nation.  I’m all in for Jeb.”

This wasn't an endorsement I necessarily expected. Pruitt becomes the third statewide elected official to endorse in the presidential primary. Treasurer Ken Miller endorsed Bush as well, and the late Labor Commissioner Mark Costello had endorsed Scott Walker.