House Dems want to impeach State Superintendent Ryan Walters -- and fundraise off it

When you're a superminority party unable to do anything of consequence in the Legislature by reason of holding so few seats, what better way to try to regain relevance by drumming up attention with calls for an impeachment? Quick! Get CNN and MSNBC on the line!

And, of course, raise a quick buck off the political stunt. Gotta fundraise somehow!

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

 

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

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

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

House Dems demand Gov. Stitt reinstate COVID emergency declaration

Democrats Call for Governor to Change Course, Declare Emergency

OKLAHOMA CITY – Several Oklahoma House Democrats released statements today calling for Gov. Kevin Stitt to reinstate the emergency declaration for COVID-19. The statements follow several schools, including Broken Arrow, Owasso, and Stillwater, announcing policies to not quarantine students who have been exposed. 

State Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater:

“After speaking to leadership in some of these districts, it is becoming clear that they are following guidance from the state health department, which is concerning since the policies are not consistent with CDC guidelines. Stillwater is an education town, and the lack of consistent and fact-based policy from state leadership has left our entire community exposed and unprepared for this growing COVID wave. 

“Oklahomans, especially those making decisions to keep children safe, need better information from state leadership, and we need the Governor to declare a state of emergency.” 

State Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City:

Hofmeister, House Dems decry education reform measures

Birds of a feather flock together?

Hofmeister comments on passage of bills on open transfer and funding formula 

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 31, 2021) – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister made the following remarks after the House and Senate today both passed education bills regarding open transfer and the school funding formula. 

"Today marks one step forward and two steps back for public education. While Senate Bill 783 holds real promise for many families and students, House Bill 2078 unfortunately compromises any gains that would come with open transfers. 

"Children in rural Oklahoma deserve to have a high quality education and HB 2078 potentially jeopardizes that. This bill removes financial safeguards meant to protect all students from the impact of abrupt changes in the local economy. Kids will lose when schools are forced to make sudden cuts in essential services and opportunities which provide access to a well-rounded education."

Democrats Want Substance, Not Show for Oklahoma Students

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Members of the Oklahoma House Democrat Education Policy Team released the following statement today in response to the passage of Senate Bill 783 and today’s signing by the governor of both SB783 and House Bill 2078. 

Wide-ranging reaction to Epic Charter Schools audit

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

In this post, you can read reactions from:

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

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

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

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

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

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

House modifies affordable housing credit as part of budget agreement, Dems protest

House maintains modified affordable housing credit

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House of Representatives maintained a modified affordable housing tax credit program by passing House Bill 2760 on Thursday.

To help balance the $1.4 billion budget hole projected for Fiscal Year 2021, a number of areas of state spending were modified. In HB 2760, the State Affordable Housing Tax Credit was maintained by reducing the limit on new 10-year tax credits issued to qualified homebuilders from $4 million a year to $2 million a year, saving the state $110 million over the next decade.

“When you’re facing a 17% budget hole, difficult decisions get made that can be reevaluated when revenues return. This is one of those cases,” said House Appropriations and Budget Vice Chairman Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. “This program will be able to maintain operations under a reduced credit amount until it can be reevaluated when state revenues rebound.”

Stillwater GOP Rep spoke at rally with anti-Constitutional Carry petition signing

State Reps. John Talley (R-Stillwater) and Trish Ranson (D-Stillwater)

State Rep. John Talley (R RINO-Stillwater) recently spoke at a Moms Demand Action rally and anti-Constitutional Carry petition signing in Stillwater on August 18th.

Veto-referendum petition signing at the Stillwater event

Talley earned a Conservative Index score of just 20 during the 2019 legislative session, making him the most liberal Republican legislator. One House Democrat and two Senate Democrats scored higher than Talley, even during a session largely devoid of moderate Democrat legislators.

Stillwater's Republican State Senator Tom Dugger missed the vote on HB2597, the Constitutional Carry bill. Of 9 votes that the Senate took that day, that was the only measure Sen. Dugger missed. In all likelihood, he "walked the vote". Both Talley and Stillwater's other State House representative, Trish Ranson (D), voted against the measure when it came to the House floor. Ranson also attended and spoke at the August 18th rally with Talley.

State Rep. John Talley and one of the rally speakers

Stillwater-area Republicans and gun-rights advocates should remember this in the 2020 election cycle.