House Censures Reps. Reynolds and Terrill

The Oklahoma House of Representatives voted this afternoon to publicly reprimand two members for separate incidents that took place last week.

The body voted 67-18 (7 members abstained, taking 'Constitutional privilege') to censure Rep. Mike Reynolds (R-OKC) for interrupting the Pastor of the Day on last Thursday, and 34-30 (with 30 members taking 'Constitutional privilege') to censure Rep. Randy Terrill (R-Moore) for saying very strong obscenities (FCC-fine kind of words, coupled with physical threats against the Speaker) to a staff member in the Majority Floor Leader's office.

Peter Rudy of Oklahoma Watchdog has more here.

[Reminder: the first round of our 2012 GOP Primary Madness closes tomorrow - make sure you have voted in it!]

Wisconsin-in-Oklahoma: AWOL OK House members

For the first time since the 1990's* last March, the Oklahoma House of Representatives issued the Call of the House, to force absent members into the chamber for a vote.

During the vote on the emergency clause for Speaker Kris Steele's HB2139, which expanded the State Superintendent's authority and limited that of the State Board of Education (in response to the controversy over State Superintendent Janet Barresi's first school board meeting), several House members appeared to be purposefully absent. That's when State Rep. Jason Nelson (R-OKC) invoked House Rule 10.5, or the 'Call of the House'.

The procedural motion gives the House sergeant-at-arms the authority to "compel the attendance of the absent members."

After a roll call, the doors to the House chamber were locked, and the House sergeants began the search for missing Reps. John Bennett (R-Sallisaw), Mike Christian (R-OKC), Charles Key (R-OKC), Mike Reynolds (R-OKC), Mike Ritze (R-Broken Arrow) and Randy Terrill (R-Moore).

Peter J. Rudy of Oklahoma Watchdog has more on the story here, including the missing members on the second roll call.

UPDATE: Rudy got a response from Rep. Randy Terrill, one of the AWOL members. Read it here.
* - thanks to the commenter who pointed out that the Call of the House was issued on March 11th, 2010.

Minority Leader Comments On Terrill/Leftwich Case - Leaves Out Leftwich

State House Minority Leader Scott Inman (D-OKC) issued the following press statement today, after State Rep. Randy Terrill (R-Moore) and former State Sen. Debbe Leftwich (D-OKC) both made their first court appearance relating to the ongoing bribery/corruption case brought against them by District Attorney David Prater.

Democratic Minority Leader Inman Calls Allegations against Rep. Terrill Disappointing and Concerning; Allegations Highlight Need for Transparency

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 3, 2011) In response to this morning’s events in which Representative Randy Terrill (R–Moore) turned himself in to the Oklahoma County Jail in order to face bribery charges, Democratic Minority Leader Scott M. Inman released the following statement:

“It is disappointing and of great concern that Representative Terrill or any official elected by the people of Oklahoma would conduct themselves in a way that brings into question the integrity of our government. As the judicial process takes its course, it’s clear that there are still numerous unanswered questions that only greater transparency and accountability can answer.

If the allegations prove true, Rep. Terrill’s disappointing actions could nevertheless be the catalyst that is needed for the kind of honesty and transparency that Oklahomans deserve and desire.” 

Noticeably absent from Inman's press release is the other major player in the case, who happens to be a Democrat. While what Terrill is alleged to have done is wrong, it is equally true of Leftwich. Unlike many past political scandals in this state, this is bipartisan in nature.

Inman and the Democrats will focus on Terrill's involvement, because he is a Republican. Terrill will continue to play the martyr, and contend that he is the target of a Democrat DA's witch hunt against conservatives.

The fact remains that Prater has a seemingly solid case against both Terrill and Leftwich, regardless of the political affiliation of anyone involved (from the accuser to the accused). This situation is by no means over or decided, but corruption and betrayal of the public trust by elected officials is a serious matter, and must be dealt with seriously.

A government that cannot be trusted by its constituents is no government at all.

Terrill Comments on Bribery Charges

Embattled State Rep. Randy Terrill (R-Moore) made his first public comments regarding bribery charges filed against him by Oklahoma County DA David Prater. The following press release was issued today.

 Terrill Comments on Bribery Charges

Democrat District Attorney David Prater has charged me with offering a “bribe” to induce Senator Debbie Leftwich to withdraw as a candidate from a political contest. [1] He charged me despite the fact that Senator Leftwich never filed as a candidate [2] it was impossible for her to withdraw from an election she never entered [3] and in the 21 page "Affidavit of Probable Cause" hasn't offered a shred of evidence that I ever made an offer to give her anything.

The preceding filed against me is purely a political take-out maneuver without any factual or legal justification.  I am innocent, I’ve done nothing improper, and I'm confident I will be exonerated.  But the whole point of filing the charge is simply to damage me politically, and I seriously doubt there is even an expectation that it will succeed as a matter of law.  For my opponents, however, if they can abuse the process by forcing me to take a mug shot for the front page of the Oklahoman, then they will sadly consider that a victory.

Merry Christmas, best wishes always and God bless!

For The Republic,

Rep. Randy Terrill

----------

[1] 26 O.S. Sec. 16-107 of Oklahoma’s Election Code prevents giving a thing of value to a “candidate” to “withdraw” from an election.
[2] 26 O.S. Sec. 5-101 of Oklahoma’s Election Code defines a candidate as person who has filed a Declaration of Candidacy.
[3] 26 O.S. Sec. 5-115 of Oklahoma’s Election Code details the specific time, manner, and procedure that allows a candidate to withdraw his candidacy.  These requirements are not synonymous with simply failing to file a Declaration of Candidacy.

# # #

Rep. Christian Responds to Allegations

State Rep. Mike Christian (pictured) responded today to allegations that he was involved in a political corruption case, as claimed by Oklahoma County DA David Prater.

Statement from Representative Mike Christian

I’m here today to comment on the so-called investigation recently announced by District Attorney David Prater.

First of all, I want to say the recent allegations of public corruption are completely ridiculous. The only public corruption I’m aware of is on the part of David Prater, who is working with County Commissioner Brian Maughan to clear the way for Brian to run for this Senate seat.

Prater has violated his legal code of conduct by commenting to the press on his intention to call me before a grand jury. I believe he has made these comments in order to help Brian Maughan run for this senate seat. I have reason to believe the two of them have been in communication regarding the content and timing of the recent announcement by Prater.

Think about the timing of Mr. Prater’s announcement, and how convenient it is that he refuses to produce any evidence until after the primary elections. This is nothing but an abuse of power and political manipulation by a District Attorney and a power hungry County Commissioner.

I hope you will be asking them about the nature of their communication on this issue. And I hope the Attorney General, the District Attorney’s Council, and the Bar Association will take a hard look at Mr. Prater’s actions and comments.

Because of this conspiracy on their part, I have decided to seek re-election to my seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The people of my house district know me, and they know my character and integrity. In announcing this ridiculous investigation only days before filing opens, David Prater and Brian Maughan have ensured that I will have to focus my efforts on defending these baseless allegations, instead of campaigning for the Senate.

If you doubt what I’m saying today, you’ll need only to watch and wait. Mark my words: Brian Maughan will file for the Senate this week, which is and has been the goal of the conspiracy between Commissioner Brian Maughan and District Attorney David Prater.

For my part, I will seek re-election to my House seat, and use that position to continue fighting for the people of South Oklahoma City. I am a strong opponent of illegal immigration, I oppose tax increases, and I fight against wasteful spending. I will continue those positions in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Thank you for your time.

Oklahoma County Commissioner Brian Maughan told News9 that, "I am just as surprised and concerned as anyone about the recent developments regarding Senate District 44. However, I have no intention of running for the senate at this time." Oklahoma County DA David Prater also told the Oklahoma City TV station, "For [Mike] Christian to allege there is some conspiracy between me and Brian Maughan is absurd."

Filing foe office starts tomorrow and ends on Wednesday, so we'll soon know who will run for what office.

DA Investigating Terrill, Christian, Leftwich for Corruption

Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater announced today that he is investigating State Rep. Randy Terrill (R-Moore), State Rep. Mike Christian (R-OKC) and State Sen. Debbe Leftwich (D-OKC) for possible political corruption charges.

At issue is whether legislators conspired to create a state job specifically for a state senator in exchange for her agreeing not to run again for her seat, Prater said. The $80,000-a-year job is at the state medical examiner's office.

Also of interest is that...

[State Rep. Mike] Christian said Friday: "There is absolutely no truth to these allegations. I've been planning to run for this seat for quite a while now, regardless of whether Senator Leftwich sought re-election."

I'm finding that hard to believe.

Terrill and Christian are very close - Terrill is essentially Christian's legislative mentor. Terrill and Leftwich also have close ties, mainly through their association with the Oklahoma Public Employees Union.

Speculation is that either State Rep. Mike Reynolds (R-OKC) or State Rep. Richard Morrissette (D-OKC) may have uncovered this. My money would be on Reynolds, who is well known for being a corruption hound.

This whole situation does not surprise me. If something illegal has been going on, I hope that the culprits are caught and dealt with. Public officials have no business abusing the public trust in this manner.

NewsOK.com has the entire story here.

Randy Terrill and the OPEA: Sweetheart Legislation and Funny Money

State Rep. Randy Terrill (R-Moore), widely known for his anti-illegal immigration legislation, could become known for something new: his close, and possibly illegal, ties to the Oklahoma Public Employees Association.

Two articles from the Daily Oklahoma point out his unsavory relationship with the labor union.

Terrill and the OPEA's Sweetheart Legislation

For years, state employees home addresses have not fallen under the Oklahoma Open Records Act, and have not been made public, for privacy and security reasons.

However, Terrill tacked on an amendment to a Conference Committee Report on House Bill 2245 at the very end of the 2009 legislative session that enables "any statewide organization limited to state employee membership with a minimum membership of two thousand dues-paying members" to receive a list of addresses for all state employees in order to send a once-annual mailing.

HB 2245, the Oklahoma Criminal Illegal Alien Repatriation Act of 2009, dealt with illegal immigrants in state prisons - not exactly a similar issue to unions getting access to state employee mailing lists.

OPEA named Terrill the 2009 legislator of the year, in part for his legislation giving them access to the mailing list. Terrill is a member of the OPEA union. The Oklahoman reports in more detail here.

I ask, why is a self-proclaimed "conservative" Republican so tight with a labor union? See the next article for just one reason...

Terrill and the OPEA's Contribution Problem

In the 2008 campaign, the OPEA political action committee contributed the maximum $5000 to Terrill's reelection campaign. An individual or PAC can only contribute up to $5000 to any campaign for the entire election cycle.

In August of 2009, OPEAPAC gave a $5000 maximum donation to Terrill's 2010 campaign. On October 21st, Terrill deposited the check into his campaign account. However, Terrill has not filed a 2010 campaign committee with the State Ethics Commission. State law requires for candidates to file with the Ethics Commission within 10 days of receiving more than $500 in contributions.

Since he has not filed a 2010 account, the donation was reported as going to his 2008 account - breaking ethics rules, since a campaign can receive only $5000 per cycle from any donor. The Oklahoman has another article on the issue here.


Terrill's sneaky, questionable actions and close ties to a labor union bother this conservative activist, and should concern every conservative in the state of Oklahoma. Conservatives decry slipping in major changes to law or policy at the very last minute when it happens in Congress, or when Democrats do it.

When a "conservative" legislator does both of these things, red flags should fly.

Official English up for vote today

The State House of Representatives will be voting (probably within an hour or two) on a measure that would bring a referendum up for vote in 2010, that would make English the Official Language of Oklahoma.

The bill is authored by State Rep. Randy Terrill (R, Moore), and co-authored by Muskogee Republican George Faught, who ran this legislation in 2007 (when it unexpectedly passed through committee) and 2008, Rep. Mike Christian (R, OKC) and Rep. Leslie Osborn (R, Tuttle).

The proposed wording on the ballot is as follows:

THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITION IS AS FOLLOWS:

This measure amends the Oklahoma Constitution. It would add a new Article 30. This amendment makes English the official language of the state. All official state actions will be done in English. This amendment provides exceptions when languages other than English can be used, such as to protect public health and safety. This amendment protects Native American languages and the private use of languages other than English. This amendment also provides a private right of action to seek an injunction for violations of this amendment.

If this passes, it is not guaranteed to be on the ballot, as the enabling language has not been passed. The enabling language (HB 1066) was authored by Rep. George Faught was not heard in committee. Word is that the chair of the General Government committee was told by a House staff member not to hear the bill.