3Q Gubernatorial Campaign Finance Reports

The 3rd Quarter campaign finance reports have been submitted and posted on the Oklahoma Ethics Commission website. We'll look at the gubernatorial race in this post. All figures below are campaign-to-date.

REPUBLICANS

Total Raised: $6,359,611.03

Total Spent: $1,029,119.36

Total Cash-on-Hand: $5,255,146.63

Mick Cornett
Total raised: $801,128.61
Total spent: $150,902.36
Total cash-on-hand: $623,294.77

Dan Fisher
Total raised: $94,582.71 (includes $20,000 loan)
Total spent: $27,633.99
Total cash-on-hand: $63,026.46

Gary Jones

Total raised: $54,785.28

Total spent: $11,241.00

Total cash-on-hand: $43,544.28

Todd Lamb
Total raised: $2,720,112.28
Total spent: $293,312.44
Total cash-on-hand: $2,413,830.65

Gary Richardson
Total raised: $1,047,436.77 (includes $1,000,000 loan)
Total spent: $282,909.88
Total cash-on-hand: $763,422.89

Kevin Stitt

Total raised: $1,641,565.38 (includes $800,000 loan)

Total spent: $263,119.69

Total cash-on-hand: $1,348,027.58

DEMOCRATS

Total Raised: $752,497.39

Total Spent: $368,341.79

Total Cash-on-Hand: $374,723.60

Drew Edmondson
Total raised: $545,163.65 (includes $50,000 loan)
Total spent: $242,741.72
Total cash-on-hand: $293,306.43

Scott Inman (withdrawn)
Total raised: $169,195.14
Total spent: $93,409.35
Total cash-on-hand: $75,785.79

Connie Johnson

Total raised: $38,138.60

Total spent: $32,190.72

Total cash-on-hand: $5,631.38

LIBERTARIANS

Total Raised: $8,347.64

Total Spent: $2,676.37

Total Cash-on-Hand: $1,435.48

Rex Lawhorn:
Total raised: $530
Total spent: $377.77 (in-kind)
Total cash-on-hand: $505

Joseph Maldonado

Total raised: $6,593.79 (mostly in-kind)

Total spent: $1,861.25

Total cash-on-hand: $278.33

Chris Powell

Total raised: $1,223.85

Total spent: $437.35

Total cash-on-hand: $652.15

STUNNER: Minority Leader Inman resigns, drops gubernatorial bid

House Minority Leader Scott Inman (D-Del City) stunned observers today by announcing his resignation from office and the end of his gubernatorial campaign. Here's the statement he made:

For the last eleven years, it has been my honor and privilege to represent the people of my hometown of Del City at the State Capitol. For the last seven years it has been a true pleasure to lead the honorable women and men of the House Democratic Caucus as House Minority Leader. And for the last six months, it has been the dream of a lifetime to travel across this great state to visit with my fellow Oklahomans about the issues important to them in my campaign for Governor.

Those roles and responsibilities, while at times enjoyable and rewarding, did not come without a price. Unfortunately, that price was paid by those nearest and dearest to me. The stresses and strains of my career, the time away from my family, and the choice to wrongly prioritize my life’s decisions have brought me to this moment. I can no longer ask my wife and children to sacrifice for me. It is time for me to reprioritize what is important in this world.

Therefore, I am announcing today, that I will be immediately ending my campaign for Governor of Oklahoma and will be stepping down from the legislature at the beginning of next year, leaving me time to complete the important work of the special session before us in the legislature.

To those who believed and invested in me over the years, especially during these last six months, I am truly grateful for your support. To the kind-hearted citizens who called, emailed, and messaged me during the campaign to encourage my family and me along the journey, I offer a sincere thank you. To those who volunteered for my campaign, sacrificing their time and talent to aid in our run for Governor, I thank you as well. To the campaign team that helped make my dream a reality, I will never forget your devotion, drive, and passion to make a real change in this state. To the incredibly talented and thoughtful Representatives with whom I have served in the House Democratic Caucus, those who honored me by allowing me to serve as their leader, words cannot express the love and gratitude I have for you. To the citizens of House District 94, my hometown, serving you will always stand as one of the highest honors of my life. And to my family, both immediate and extended, what you have sacrificed for me will leave me forever indebted to you.

This moment is certainly disappointing for me and I am certain it will come as a disappointment to those who believed in my campaign and our vision for Oklahoma’s future. To you, I would offer that my time in the legislature has taught me ideals and goals are much bigger than one person or one campaign. Those things we collectively fought for like better public schools for our children, access to quality health care for all of our citizens, a more fair and just criminal justice system, and a tax structure that fairly balances the burden of funding core services in this state are no less important or no less worthy today.

I implore you to keep up the fight. Always hold those in power accountable for the decisions they make that have sweeping effects on the nearly four million people who call our state home. And never forget that those of us blessed to be called Representative, Senator, or Governor work for you.

The next few days will be challenging for my friends and family. I ask for your understanding, your prayers, and privacy during this time. And I once again thank you for the allowing me to take part in this incredible journey. I have been abundantly blessed. I pray God will bless each of you.

Sincerely,
Scott

Rumors are swirling as to the impetus to the sudden announcement, and the final paragraph of the House Democratic Caucus statement below seems to lend credence to what's going around.

House Democrats Respond to Leader Inman’s Resignation

 OKLAHOMA CITY – Upon hearing House Minority Leader Scott Inman’s plans to resign from the House of Representatives, the House Democratic Caucus released the following statement:

“For the last 11 years, Minority Leader Scott Inman has been a voice for the voiceless in the Oklahoma Legislature. In an environment where big business and special interest rule, Scott has been the canary in the mine shaft by tirelessly voicing opposition to policies that prey on working class Oklahomans to the benefit of some of the wealthiest individuals in our state.

 As the leader of our caucus, Scott has encouraged us to fight for the future of Oklahoma by protecting and promoting democratic values. He has supported us when it seemed like the whole world was against not only us but the constituents we represent. He has done these things not with words but with true leadership.

 Moving forward, we echo his request to allow him and his family privacy through this difficulty period, and we simply want to thank him for the work he has done for this caucus, the Legislature, and Oklahoma.”

Fallin, Inman comment on Vehicle Sales Tax ruling

Gov. Mary Fallin (R)

Governor Mary Fallin Statement on the Oklahoma Supreme Court Upholding Vehicle Sales Tax

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today issued the following statement after the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that the vehicle sales tax implemented this year is constitutional:

“I appreciate the Supreme Court ruling on this matter in an expeditious manner. This ruling provides us with clarity in dealing with this fiscal year’s budget. While pleased with today’s ruling, it’s important to keep in mind we must still deal with the immediate problem of the loss of $215 million from the earlier high court ruling that struck down the proposed smoking cessation fee. The $215 million represents just state funds, but with the loss of matching federal funds state agencies estimate the total is nearly $500 million.”

House Minority Leader Scott Inman (D-Del City)

Inman Responds to Supreme Court Ruling on Vehicle Sales Tax

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. and House Minority Leader Scott Inman, D-Del City, released the following statement today after the Oklahoma Supreme Court upheld removing a vehicle sales tax exemption as constitutional.

"Today’s court ruling presents a mixed bag for Oklahoma voters. While avoiding another loss of $100 million to the current year’s budget, the ruling has empowered this Republican majority to raise the taxes of middle class families without honoring the will of the Oklahoma citizens who passed State Question 640 in 1992.

"While I disagree with the majority opinion, in that the new car tax was clearly passed exclusively for the purposes of raising revenue, it’s important to note that we still have a $215 million gap for this fiscal year created by the unconstitutional cigarette tax and an even bigger hole to fill when we begin the Legislative session next year.

"A potential silver lining in today’s ruling, it appears the Court has now opened the door to increasing, with only a majority vote in the Legislature, the gross production tax exemption that has served as a road block to the Oklahoma standard rate of 7 percent. The time is right to remove the artificially low gross production tax rate of 2 percent.

"I call upon the governor and Republican leaders of the House and Senate to continue negotiations with House and Senate Democrats and come to an agreement on a long term, bipartisan budget solution for a Special Session that will ensure our teachers and public employees receive a raise, shore up our rural hospitals, protect our public safety, and improve our roads and bridges so that we can rebuild our state from the devastating fiscal policies of the last seven years. Oklahoma cannot continue to wait."

Speaker McCall slams rumored Fallin-Inman tax hike bargain

House Speaker McCall Responds To Minority Leader Inman's Plan To Raise $1 Billion In Taxes

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Speaker Charles McCall (R-Atoka) issued the following statement today after the McCarville Report posted a story claiming that Gov. Mary Fallin and Democrats in the House of Representatives have agreed to a plan that would raise more than $1 billion in taxes on Oklahoma citizens.

“There is never a shortage of rumor and innuendo surrounding negotiations at the Capitol, so I will add some facts to the discussion. First, there is no way House Republicans will ever pass a billion dollars in tax and revenue increases to fill a $200 million budget hole. Such a plan would be dead on arrival.

“Second, Minority Leader Scott Inman has no interest in negotiating in good faith with the governor or anyone else. He has failed at every turn to deliver Democrat votes for any significant revenue package. He has offered conflicting demands in public and private negotiations. The fact is, Scott Inman is only interested in campaign issues for his governor's race, not real solutions that will help Oklahoma.”

Latest fundraising figures for statewide candidates

The latest campaign reporting period has come to a close, and candidates have submitted their contributions and expenditures reports to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. You can search the reports by race here. Below are the figures for the statewide races:

GOVERNOR

Republicans

• Todd Lamb: $2,094,045.47 raised, $102,400.62 spent, $1,983,998.68 on-hand
• Gary Richardson: $185,729.00 raised ($175k loan), $179,567.87 spent, $5,757.13 on-hand
• Mick Cornett: $181,000.00 raised, $2,915.95 spent, $178,084.05 on-hand
• Gary Jones: $22,585.28 raised, $274.28 spent, $22,311.00 on-hand
• Kevin Stitt: entered race after reporting period began
• Dan Fisher: entered race after reporting period began

Democrats

• Drew Edmondson: $300,211.30 raised ($5k loan), $35,551.26 spent, $256,506.89 on-hand
• Scott Inman: $99,566.44 raised, $32,412.23 spent, $67,154.21 on-hand
• Connie Johnson: $21,057.60 raised, $6,414.79 spent, $14,358.31 on-hand
• Norman Brown: $1,421.66 raised, $648.70 spent, $772.96 on-hand

Libertarians

• Joseph Maldonado: $3,012.60 raised, $102.50 spent, $200.00 on-hand
• Chris Powell: $234.35 raised, $32.45 spent, $67.55 on-hand

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

Republicans

• Matt Pinnell:$304,990.78 raised, $38,105.32 spent, $253,878.44 on-hand
• Eddie Fields: $100 raised, $100 spent, $0 on-hand
• Dominique Block: $0 raised, $0 spent, $0 on-hand
• Dana Murphy: entered race after reporting period began, but closed out her Corporation Commission account by transferring $638,821.71 to her new Lieut. Gov. account

STATE AUDITOR

Republicans

• Cindy Byrd: $14,890.00 raised, $5,807.09 spent, $7,697.91 on-hand

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Republicans

• Mike Hunter: $201,424.65 raised, $21,117.06 spent, $179,707.94 on-hand

STATE TREASURER

Republicans

• Randy McDaniel: $191,724.37 raised, $0 spent, $191,724.37 on-hand

STATE SUPERINTENDENT

Republicans

• Joy Hofmeister: $18,210.33 raised, $13,394.54 spent, $4,780.79 on-hand

*  all figures are campaign-to-date and may include transfers from previous campaigns

**  "raised" figures include "in-kind contributions"

Column: the facts on oil & gas taxation

This column is from Alberto Soto, a Republican small businessman from Tahlequah:

“If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts.”
― Albert Einstein

"The people" want more money for education, for health care, for social services but they want someone else to pay for those increases. How did we as a country get to the point where it is okay to pass the burden of our wants onto others like the oil industry, business, corporations and rich people? How is this fair? How is this not just evil greed on the part of those who want it all but wish to pay for none of it?

How can I say this when the rich keep getting richer and as liberal democrats like Mr. Inman (who is running for governor) insist that it is the rich who are getting rich off the backs of the poor and middle class.

Scott Inman:

File this in the "You Can't Make This Up" category.
To date, House and Senate Republicans have refused to raise the GPT on oil and gas companies or restore the income tax cuts for the wealthiest of our citizens . . . We will not sit by quietly as the folks in charge shift the tax burden from their wealthy contributors through income tax cuts, gross production tax cuts, and corporate tax credits on to the backs of middle-class families.

or as Nick Singer says, from a post that Scott reposted on his personal page says,

Nick Singer, “Creating a low tax rate and/or grace period and/or new and not existing wells is a give away to people who don't need, on a highly profitable, finite and very volatile resource that Oklahoman's need to make hay with while they have it.”

So the rich don’t “need” to make more money because hey they have reached their limit. We the liberal elites in this state have determined that enough is enough. We need more of your money. Sorry, it’s actually not “your” money rich oil industry but it is our money because by keeping the taxes low on you we are giving it away.

The arrogance of how they talk about the oil industry and the rich is appalling.

When I read all the back and forth from our liberal democratic friends I am left thinking that these (mostly men) men are just not being honest or are grossly ignorant of the amount of taxes the “rich” are paying in this state, specifically the oil industry and how business operate and make a profit. It is my guess that most of these men have never carried a payroll or have ever run a business in their life. They go straight from law school to politics as in the case with Mr. Inman.

“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” “Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are pliable.” “For every fact there is an infinity of hypotheses. ”
John Adams

Facts:
Oil and Gas companies are the only business that pays this creative tax called the gross production tax or GPT. On top of this tax they pay income taxes, payroll taxes, unemployment taxes, state and local taxes. The truth is that the oil industry pays about 22% of total taxes in this state. The truth is, it is the backs of the oil industry that we are building this state on. Without the oil industry Oklahoma would not be the same state. It is the one industry that has the highest taxes imposed on it. Their tax rate is 4 times greater than the average business.

Even local democrats like Representative Matt Meredith have taken up this game

“This morning the Republican party went against, not only the people of Oklahoma, but the Constitution of Oklahoma, and passed a gross production bill that would bring in one time money and not raise the gross production to 5% or 7%. They played games, did a slide of hand and let the BIG OIL companies once again control the Capitol…

We will continue the fight for our kids, teachers, elderly, health care professionals and every family within not only District 4, but also in Oklahoma. We all deserve BETTER!!!”

Matt, buddy, the oil industry is just doing what anyone should do in their place- stop the abuse and over taxing nature of government in its tracks. Big government liberals will never have enough money. It is easy to pick on “big” business and those “greedy” rich guys because most of us are not those guys.

But the people of Oklahoma have shown time and time again that they are too smart for this. There are now only 26 Democrats in the house and 6 in the senate left and if they continue on this pattern of dishonesty that will be reduced some more.

The GPT is 2% on new wells for only 3 years after which it goes up to 7%. Liberals want to increase that to 7%. and then speak like the oil industry is abusing the elderly for wanting to keep it where it is at.

“The sum of all the taxes the oil and natural gas industry pays makes it the largest direct revenue source for Oklahoma’s budget. When other Oklahoma industries pay $1 in taxes per employee, the oil and natural gas industry pays $4 in taxes per employee.”

and

“In fact, the gross production tax is only 1/5th of the total $2.55 billion in taxes the oil and natural gas industry paid to the state in FY’15. Unlike our neighboring oil producing state, Texas, the oil and natural gas industry also pays corporate and personal income taxes, which outpaced gross production tax collections in FY’15. “

The truth is Matt that the oil industry pays 22% of all taxes in this state. Instead of demonizing our neighbors, friends, and job creators we should be treating them like we want to be treated and thanking them for how much they support this state. Instead of accusing them of greed, bribery and “shenanigans” let’s be honest with District 4 and point out these facts. If you still think they don’t pay enough in taxes then make an honest case. Tell the voters why you think that $2.55 billion is not enough for you and your democratic friends when our entire state budget is about $6.9 billion.

Do you believe Matt that the oil industry should pay half of the state budget? How much is enough? What is a “fair share”? Do you really believe that higher taxes on this industry is moral and just?

Is it really smart for our state budget to be so dependent on one industry like this? I would say no way. That is short sighted, greedy and foolish.

It it time for politicians to stop acting like politicians and start treating their fellow citizens with more respect and level with us and tell us the truth.

Alberto Soto is a small business owner from Tahlequah, and writes on Facebook at Reasonable Right.

OKGOP Chair Pam Pollard comments on budget negotiations

This afternoon, OKGOP Chair Pam Pollard posted her take on the state budget situation, as negotiations between Republican and Democratic leadership appear to have stalled once again, likely setting up a special session (either after the regular session ends next week, or concurrent with the current session). Here's what she said:

My take on the budget negotiations. Please note I am NOT a legislative or budget expert. I know what I see, I know what I hear and I know the "players."

My BIGGEST take away is that the 26 member Democrat Caucus, lead by candidate Scott Inman, has changed their position multiple times throughout this session and have now set their feet in stone to raise taxes on job creating businesses and Oklahoma taxpayers, keeping an increase in personal income taxes on the table.

Republicans are frustrated that they have no oversight over agencies' spending and while they want to CUT spending, they cannot control where the cuts will be applied. Republicans believe in living within your means, and if you don't have the money, then you cannot continue spending at the same rate.

This is where POLITICS enters.... and Oklahomans suffer.

The Governor is right. Many agencies have been cut to the core and cannot handle another across-the-board cut. Many Republican Legislators believe the most vulnerable citizens will suffer without targeted line item oversight.

POLITICS!!

I asked every lawmaker I could find, WHERE can the cuts be made? Like I said, I am not an expert, but I asked the questions many of you have asked me. Have we tried to cut first? What cuts were rejected? Is raising fees and taxes truly the only option?

The answer to my questions was an overwhelming sense of frustration knowing they have little control over the majority of state spending.

I witnessed meetings in offices, in hallways and in stairwells talking about how to manage spending! For that, I am proud of our Legislators!

The political game being played is very simple. Republicans want to make cuts. Republicans have recommended many cuts. Many cuts have already been made to businesses knowing that we the consumer will pay higher costs.

But we must understand we cannot balance the budget on spending cuts alone. We must have some revenue increases to have a sustainable budget.

The Republicans have the votes to make cuts as it only takes a simple majority. But because of SQ640 it takes 3/4 of the Legislature to pass any revenue increases. That means we need 76 votes. Republicans have 73 votes, Democrats 26, 2 seats are unfilled

The Democrat Leadership (candidate Scott Inman) is holding the entire budget process hostage by controlling his 26 members' votes unless we agree to their terms for an increase in revenue.

Yes you heard me, the Democrats who hold 26 out of 101 seats are holding the entire process up and forcing us into a special session unless they get their way. They've learned well from the national Democrat Party!!!!

To prove what I'm saying about the political games being played, please see the video below when last February Inman did a press conference demanding GPT be raised to 4%. That is exactly what Republicans are offering today!!!!

In the negotiations of the last few days candidate Scott Inman refuses to vote for the budget agreement unless there is an increase in the gross production tax to 5%. If we agree to 5% will he demand 6%?

Please see for yourself how candidate Inman and the Democrats have turned this into political gamesmanship and then call the Democrat leadership and demand they negotiate in good faith and end this budget crisis.



I hope our Legislators hold the line on a balance of what is best for Oklahoma children, families and yes, job creating businesses.

- Pam Pollard, Chairman OK Republican Party

Will Friday be Taxapalooza?

Facing a shortfall of $878M, legislators have just a few days left to figure out how to deal with it. Friday, May 19th, is the final day that the Oklahoma Legislature can hear and pass any new "revenue raising" (i.e. tax hiking) legislation without going into a special session. Constitutionally, tax increases can not be introduced or heard in the final five days of session.

Gov. Mary Fallin has pushed for up to $2.6B in tax increases all session long, beginning with a $1.7B sales tax expansion. Apart from a handful of conservatives (mainly in the House), both Republicans and Democrats have had their own tax-increase proposals, but none have made it past the 75% affirmative vote threshold yet. That hurdle means that even if every Republican votes for a tax increase, some Democrat votes will be needed.

Republican legislative leadership met with Gov. Fallin and Democrat legislative leadership (that is, until House Minority Leader Inman left for a gubernatorial campaign caucus press conference) to try and hammer out a deal. We'll see what they end up putting forward during the day Friday.

At the beginning of each term, the new leadership (in Oklahoma City and in Washington, D.C.) talks a big game about openness, transparency, and allowing the public 48-72 hours to view important legislation... but when push comes to shove, budget bills like this get voted on before the ink dries from the printer, before members get to read the measure, and before the public is even aware of that vote.

The process needs to change.

Gary Richardson announces campaign for Governor

Tulsa attorney and past Republican (2nd Congressional District: 1978 and 1980) and Independent (Governor: 2002) political candidate Gary Richardson announced today that he is officially running for the Republican nomination for Governor in 2018. Richardson had been exploring the possibility for the past several months.

Here is his announcement video:


You can visit his website here.

Candidates so far for Governor are:

• Norman Brown (D)
• State Rep. Scott Inman (D)
• Former State Sen. Connie Johnson (D)
• Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb (R) (no official campaign announcement yet, but he has filed with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission)

Scott Inman seeks Democratic nomination for Governor

Oklahoma House Minority Leader Scott Inman (D-OKC) announced his candidacy for Governor today with the following video:



He joins former State Sen. Connie Johnson and Norman Brown in seeking the Democratic nomination in 2018 for Governor. Inman is term-limited.

Dan Boren won't run for Governor in 2018

In an announcement today, former Democrat congressman Dan Boren has decided against running for governor in 2018. This is essentially the Oklahoma Democratic Party conceding the race to the GOP, as Boren was their best (and perhaps only) shot at taking the governor's mansion back.

From reporter Sean Murphy with the Associated Press:

Dan Boren decides not to run for Oklahoma governor in 2018

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Dan Boren, a former four-term Democratic congressman from one of Oklahoma's most well-known political families, has decided not to run for the state's open governor seat in 2018.

Boren told The Associated Press that he opted against entering the campaign after spending the past year visiting with civic and business leaders across the state about a potential run.

"At this moment, it is important for me to spend time with my kids," Boren said late Monday. "My desire for public service has not diminished and I believe some day in the future I will enter public life again."

The 43-year-old Boren said he intends to continue working on business development for the Chickasaw Nation and spend time with his two children, ages 6 and 9.

In an interview with the AP earlier this year, Boren had said he was actively exploring a run to replace Republican Gov. Mary Fallin, who is prohibited by term limits from seeking a third four-year term in office.

Boren served one term as a state representative before running successfully for Congress in 2004 in the 2nd Congressional District in eastern Oklahoma, a seat he held for eight years before stepping down.

His grandfather, Lyle Boren, was a congressman and his father, University of Oklahoma President David Boren, is a former Oklahoma governor and U.S. senator. Dan Boren's first cousin, Janna Little, is married to current House Speaker Paul Ryan, the 2012 Republican vice-presidential nominee.

The Oklahoma governor's seat in 2018 is expected to draw interest from strong candidates on both sides of the aisle. Potential Republican candidates include U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine, Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, Treasurer Ken Miller and Attorney General Scott Pruitt. Lamb, Miller and Pruitt all are term-limited from their current offices, and Bridenstine has said he wouldn't seek a fourth term in Congress in 2018.

Prominent Tulsa attorney Gary Richardson, who ran as an independent for governor in 2002, said Tuesday he is taking a "very serious look" at running as a Republican in 2018.

Possible Democratic candidates include ex-state Rep. Joe Dorman, who won 41 percent of the vote against Fallin in 2014 despite being heavily outspent, and Oklahoma House Minority Leader Scott Inman of Del City.

OCPA Impact airs ad against proposed Medicaid expansion and tax hikes

Amid talk that the Republican-led Oklahoma legislature may approve major tax increases and a Medicaid expansion, OCPA Impact is out with a television ad against the proposals. Watch below:

From the McCarville Report:

Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, explained the commercial to The McCarville Report: “Unfortunately we had to resort to that because as we speak, behind the scenes legislative leadership is trying to force the Republican caucuses to vote for about $1 billion in tax increases or structurally damaging one-time schemes….we are making sure to stay in touch with the non-leadership members of the House and non-leadership members of the Senate. There is growing sentiment, rightly so by non-term limited Republicans, that they are being set up again for having to support a really bad budget.”

Ad transcript:

Politicians in the state capitol have a spending problem. [images of David Boren, House Minority Leader Scott Inman, and Governor Mary Fallin flash on screen]
Instead of balancing the budget, they want to expand ObamaCare and increase government spending by billions.
Who's going to pay for it? You are. You, and working families across Oklahoma.
Call your state legislator today and tell them 'Enough is enough'.
No new taxes.

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.