News9 chopper blows stranded calf off of icy pond

From News9.com:

WATONGA, Oklahoma -- SkyNews9 and pilot Mason Dunn came to the rescue once again for a stranded animal; this time for a calf stuck on the ice.

A rancher near Watonga called News 9 for help after his calf became stuck in the middle of an iced-over pond. Howard and Joan Hursh said they remembered seeing Mason rescue an animal years ago that was stranded on the ice, but couldn't believe he flew out to Watonga to save their calf.

Mason used the wind from the helicopter's rotor blades to push the calf back to safety. The ice eventually cracked, but the wind from the blades was enough to get the struggling calf back to shore.

This is the second time Mason and SkyNews9 have helped save an animal stuck on the ice. A few years ago, Mason received national recognition when he used the helicopter to push a deer back to solid ground.

Pinnell, Dunn Endorse Reince Priebus for RNC Chair

Wisconsin GOP Chairman and RNC Chair candidate Reince Priebus picked up two of Oklahoma's three Republican National Committee votes, as State GOP Chairman Matt Pinnell and National Committeeman James Dunn endorsed Priebus.






State Chairman Matt Pinnell: "We have a number of qualified candidates for RNC Chair - but at the end of the day I was most comfortable with Reince's qualifications and vision for the RNC. Reince is a Young Gun GOP rising star, and represents the best and the future of this Party."





National Committeeman James Dunn: "Reince Priebus has consistently demonstrated his ability and desire to work with all Republicans with differing views to find the common ground required for the RNC to achieve victory in 2012.  Reince has a long history of leading his state party to record election victories and organizational fund raising while upholding the integrity and honor of Republican values.  His commitment to lead with a servant's heart convinces me that Reince Priebus is the right Republican for the 2012 campaign cycle as RNC Chairman."



Currently, National Committeewoman Carolyn McLarty is undeclared as to her support.

According to National Journal's Hotline On Call blog, Priebus leads the field of six candidates in public commitments thus far with 22. Current chairman Michael Steele is in second place with 12 commitments. It takes 85 votes to win the election; last time, it took six rounds of voting to whittle the candidates down enough for Michael Steele to emerge as victor.

Watch Priebus' YouTube candidacy announcement video here:

Coburn: 'Apocalyptic pain' if debt is not brought under control

My friend Larry Jackson of Political Realities posted this video of U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Muskogee) on Fox News Sunday, discussing the danger that our national debt poses to America's fiscal future. I recommend watching the interview.



Side note: I think Dr. Coburn's new beard is growing on me...

Merry Christmas!

First, a bit of Christmas music. I heard this piece on Classical 88.7FM KWTU, my favorite non-talk radio station. The song is by Benjamin Britten, and is titled Men of Goodwill (variations on the old carol God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen).





Next, in the poll we conducted on which greeting my readers preferred for this time of year, Merry Christmas was the overwhelming winner at 90%. Happy Holidays came in second at 8%, and Seasons Greetings was last with 2%.

Lastly, I will conclude with the text from the Gospel of Luke of the very first Christmas:


And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

New Faces on State House Committees

There are a lot of fresh faces on the 26 different Committees and Appropriations Subcommittees in the State House this year, and that's not just because 21 of the 101 state representatives are newly-elected freshmen.

An analysis shows that retention of committee memberships from the last legislative session to this upcoming session (excluding two new committees and the 2011 freshmen) ranged from a high of 73% to a low of 20%. On average, 46% of committee members from the 2009-2010 term were re-appointed.

House Speaker Kris Steele's stated purpose in assigning committee memberships was to "match members to committees in a way that will best utilize each legislator's gifts and talents."

Two committees that did not exist last term were formed for this term: Insurance, and Long-term Care & Senior Services. Two committees were formed by merging committees, and one Appropriations subcommittee was split into two.

When freshmen are taken out of the equation, the retention rate is as follows:

Public Health: 73%
Energy & Utility Regulation: 72%
Veterans & Military Affairs: 70%
Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources & Regulatory Services: 70%
Agriculture, Wildlife & Environment: 69%
General Government: 67%
Appropriations Subcommittee on Education: 67%
Common Education: 64%
Higher Education & Career Tech: 50%
Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Health & Social Services: 50%
Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety: 50%
Appropriations & Budget: 47%
Economic Development, Tourism & Financial Services: 45%
Human Services: 45%
Judiciary: 43%
Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services: 43%
Appropriations Subcommittee on Judiciary: 43% 
Public Safety: 38%
Government Modernization: 30%
Appropriations Subcommittee on Revenue & Taxation: 30%
Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Transportation: 25%
Transportation: 23% 
Rules: 23%
Administrative Rules & Government Oversight: 20%

On the 24 committees that carried over, 11 chairmen and 6 vice-chairmen were retained. 2 chairmen and 6 vice-chairmen were demoted, but stayed on the committee, while 4 vice-chairs were promoted to chair. 7 new chairmen and 13 new vice-chairmen were placed on committees they were not previously members of.

Committee-by-committee details after the jump.

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.

# # #

Coburn Endorses Greg Treat in SD47

Dr. Coburn endorses Greg Treat for State Senate

Says Treat is “committed to limited government, passionate about pro-life issues, and dedicated to making Oklahoma a better place to work…”

(OKLAHOMA CITY, OK) – U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) today announced his endorsement of Greg Treat to be Oklahoma’s next State Senator for District 47.

“In the special election for Senate District 47 on January 11, I am proud to endorse Greg Treat for Senate,” Dr. Coburn said.  “Greg Treat has worked with me for several years and I know he is committed to limited government, passionate about pro-life issues, and dedicated to making Oklahoma a better place to work and raise our families.

“The voters of Senate District 47 can trust that Greg Treat has the courage and integrity to fight wasteful spending, hold politicians and bureaucrats accountable to taxpayers, and do what is right and best for the long term future of our state,” Dr. Coburn said.  "On Tuesday, January 11, I encourage the voters of Senate District 47 to elect Greg Treat to the Oklahoma State Senate."

Greg Treat welcomed Dr. Coburn’s endorsement today, saying, “I am proud to receive the endorsement of Dr. Tom Coburn in my candidacy to represent the voters of Senate District 47 at the State Capitol. I have worked side by side with Dr. Coburn over the years and admire his principled, uncompromising approach to life and politics. I am humbled by his support and will continue working hard to bring that same principled approach to the State Capitol while representing the people of Senate District 47.”

Greg Treat is a dedicated Christian, a devoted husband and father, and a lifelong conservative Republican who is working hard to be Oklahoma’s next state senator. As state Senator, Greg will focus on creating the best business environment possible in Oklahoma to help grow Oklahoma’s economy and create jobs. Greg has vowed to be a watchdog for Oklahoma taxpayers, sniffing out wasteful spending in the state budget.

A special election will be held on January 11, 2011 to elect the next State Senator for District 47.

For more information on Greg Treat, please visit: www.gregtreat.com.

UK Islamic ad campaign: "The Evils of Christmas"

A Muslim group in the United Kingdom has distributed thousands of the above posters in time for Christmas.

The kicker is the last paragraph...

Steele Announces House Committee Assignments

Speaker-elect Announces House Committee Assignments

 OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House Speaker Kris Steele today announced committee assignments for the 2011 and 2012 legislative sessions.

"Although Oklahoma faces significant challenges this year, I am confident the members of the House are more than up to the task," said Steele, R-Shawnee. "I appreciate each member’s willingness to serve and, after careful consideration, believe we have matched members to committees in a way that will best utilize each legislator’s gifts and talents."

The committee assignments for the Oklahoma House of Representatives are as follows:

Appropriations & Budget
Earl Sears, R-Bartlesville, Chair
Scott Martin, R-Norman, Vice-Chair
Don Armes, R-Faxon                                   
Lisa Billy, R-Purcell
Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell
Doug Cox, R-Grove
David Dank, R-Oklahoma City
Lee Denney, R-Cushing
Dale DeWitt, R-Braman
Guy Liebmann, R-Oklahoma City
Ron Peters, R-Tulsa
Dan Sullivan, R-Tulsa
Mike Brown, D-Tahlequah
Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs
Chuck Hoskin, D-Vinita
Jerry McPeak, D-Warner
Purcy Walker, D-Elk City


Human Services
Pam Peterson, R-Tulsa, Chair
Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher, Vice-Chair
Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City                                              
Skye McNiel, R-Bristow
Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie
Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City
Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs
Ron Peters, R-Tulsa
Harold Wright, R-Weatherford
Donnie Condit, D-McAlester
Wade Rousselot, D-Okay
Seneca Scott, D-Tulsa
Ben Sherrer, D-Pryor


Government Modernization
Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie, Chair
Wes Hilliard, D-Sulphur, Vice-Chair
David Brumbaugh, R-Broken Arrow                      
Josh Cockroft, R-McLoud
David Derby, R-Owasso
Mark McCullough, R-Sapulpa
Lewis Moore, R-Edmond
Aaron Stiles, R-Norman
Randy Terrill, R-Moore
John Trebilcock, R-Broken Arrow
Richard Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City
Seneca Scott, D-Tulsa
Purcy Walker, D-Elk City


Higher Education & Career Tech
Todd Thomsen, R-Ada, Chair
Steve Kouplen, D-Beggs, Vice-Chair
Dennis Casey, R-Morrison
Marian Cooksey, R-Edmond
Lee Denney, R-Cushing
Elise Hall, R-Oklahoma City
Scott Martin, R-Norman
Lewis Moore, R-Edmond
Tom Newell, R-Seminole
Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City
Phil Richardson, R-Minco
T. W. Shannon, R-Lawton
Randy Terrill, R-Moore
Harold Wright, R-Weatherford
Rebecca Hamilton, D-Oklahoma City
Anastasia Pittman, D-Oklahoma City
Emily Virgin, D-Norman
Cory Williams, D-Stillwater


General Government
Dennis Johnson, R-Duncan, Chair
Mike Christian, R-Oklahoma City, Vice Chair
Lisa Billy, R-Purcell                                     
Elise Hall, R-Oklahoma City
Charlie Joyner, R-Midwest City
Guy Liebmann, R-Oklahoma City
Scott Martin, R-Norman
Steve Martin, R-Bartlesville
Dustin Roberts, R-Durant
Randy Terrill, R-Moore
Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa
Donnie Condit, D-McAlester
Larry Glenn, D-Miami
Wade Rousselot, D-Okay
Jerry Shoemake, D-Morris


Energy & Utility Regulation
John Trebilcock, R-Broken Arrow, Chair
Mike Jackson, R-Enid, Vice-Chair
Don Armes, R-Faxon                                               
David Brumbaugh, R-Broken Arrow                      
Marian Cooksey, R-Edmond
Lee Denney, R-Cushing
Dennis Johnson, R-Duncan
Dan Kirby, R-Tulsa
Steve Martin, R-Bartlesville
Skye McNiel, R-Bristow
Charles Ortega, R-Altus
Ron Peters, R-Tulsa
Marty Quinn, R-Claremore
Todd Russ, R-Cordell
Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher
Colby Schwartz, R-Yukon
T. W. Shannon, R-Lawton
Weldon Watson, R-Tulsa
Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore
Wes Hilliard, D-Sulphur
Scott Inman, D-Del City
Steve Kouplen, D-Beggs
Jerry McPeak, D-Warner
Danny Morgan, D-Prague
Eric Proctor, D-Tulsa
Wade Rousselot, D-Okay
Ben Sherrer, D-Pryor


Public Health
John Enns, R-Enid, Chair
David Derby, R-Owasso, Vice-Chair
Doug Cox, R-Grove                                    
Randy Grau, R-Edmond
Corey Holland, R-Marlow
Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs
Ron Peters, R-Tulsa
Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow
Sean Roberts, R-Hominy
Colby Schwartz, R-Yukon
Ed Cannaday, D-Porum
Wes Hilliard, D-Sulphur
Al McAffrey, D-Oklahoma City
Jeannie McDaniel, D-Tulsa


Administrative Rules and Government Oversight
George Faught, R-Muskogee, Chair
Purcy Walker, D-Elk City, Vice-Chair
Gary Banz, R-Midwest City                                                
David Brumbaugh, R-Broken Arrow
Charles Key, R-Oklahoma City
Mark McCullough, R-Sapulpa
Pam Peterson, R-Tulsa
Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City
Weldon Watson, R-Tulsa
Will Fourkiller, D-Stilwell                                       
Al McAffrey, D-Oklahoma City
Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City


Veterans & Military Affairs
Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore, Chair
Lewis Moore, R-Edmond, Vice-Chair
Gary Banz, R-Midwest City                                                 
John Bennett, R-Sallisaw
Ann Coody, R-Lawton
Randy McDaniel, R-Edmond
John Enns, R-Enid
Rusty Farley, R-Haworth
Dustin Roberts, R-Hominy
Aaron Stiles, R-Norman
Chuck Hoskin, D-Vinita                                          
Scott Inman, D-Del City
Eric Proctor, D-Tulsa
Paul Roan, D-Tishomingo


Judiciary
Fred Jordan, R-Jenks, Chair
Colby Schwartz, R-Yukon, Vice-Chair
Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell                                    
Marian Cooksey, R-Edmond
Randy Grau, R-Edmond
Dan Kirby, R-Tulsa
Mark McCullough, R-Sapulpa
Leslie Osborn, R-Tuttle
Aaron Stiles, R-Norman
Dan Sullivan, R-Tulsa
Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa
Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore
Scott Inman, D-Del City
Richard Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City
Ben Sherrer, D-Pryor
Emily Virgin, D-Norman
Cory Williams, D-Stillwater


Transportation
T.W. Shannon, R-Lawton, Chair
Charlie Joyner, R-Midwest City, Vice-Chair
Josh Cockroft, R-McLoud                                       
Rusty Farley, R-Haworth
George Faught, R-Muskogee
Randy Grau, R-Edmond
Elise Hall, R-Oklahoma City
Tommy Hardin, R-Madill
Guy Liebmann, R-Oklahoma City
Scott Martin, R-Norman
Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie
Phil Richardson, R-Minco
Sean Roberts, R-Hominy
Todd Thomsen, R-Ada
Harold Wright, R-Weatherford
Mike Brown, D-Tahlequah               
Steve Kouplen, D-Beggs
James Lockhart, D-Heavener
Jerry McPeak, D-Warner
Eric Proctor, D-Tulsa


Public Safety
Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa, Chair
Steve Martin, R-Bartlesville, Vice-Chair
John Bennett, R-Sallisaw                                         
Josh Cockroft, R-McLoud
Doug Cox, R-Grove
Tommy Hardin, R-Madill
Fred Jordan, R-Jenks
Charlie Joyner, R-Midwest City
Pat Ownbey, R-Ardmore
Pam Peterson, R-Tulsa
Todd Thomsen, R-Ada
Steve Vaughan, R-Ponca City
Ed Cannaday, D-Porum
Chuck Hoskin, D-Vinita
Al McAffrey, D-Oklahoma City
Brian Renegar, D-McAlester
Paul Roan, D-Tishomingo


Agriculture, Wildlife & Environment
Phil Richardson, R-Minco, Chair
Todd Russ, R-Cordell, Vice-Chair
John Bennett, R-Sallisaw                                         
Lisa Billy, R-Purcell
Dennis Casey, R-Morrison
John Enns, R-Enid
Rusty Farley, R-Haworth
Tommy Hardin, R-Madill
Mike Jackson, R-Enid
Tom Newell, R-Seminole
Charles Ortega, R-Altus
Leslie Osborn, R-Tuttle
Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher
Steve Vaughan, R-Ponca City
Larry Glenn, D-Miami                                             
Steve Kouplen, D-Beggs
James Lockhart, D-Heavener
R. C. Pruett, D-Antlers
Brian Renegar, D-McAlester
Jerry Shoemake, D-Morris


Common Education
Ann Coody, R-Lawton, Chair
Jabar Shumate, D-Tulsa, Vice-Chair
Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell                                    
Dennis Casey, R-Morrison
Doug Cox, R-Grove
Corey Holland, R-Marlow
Fred Jordan, R-Jenks
Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City
Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City
Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs
Pat Ownbey, R-Ardmore
Dustin Roberts, R-Durant
Ed Cannaday, D-Porum
Donnie Condit, D-McAlester
Jeannie McDaniel, D-Tulsa
Emily Virgin, D-Norman


Rules
Gary Banz, R-Midwest City, Chair
Weldon Watson, R-Tulsa, Vice-Chair
Don Armes, R-Faxon                                    
David Dank, R-Oklahoma City
Dennis Johnson, R-Duncan
Guy Liebmann, R-Oklahoma City
Randy McDaniel, R-Edmond
Glen Mulready, R-Tulsa
Marty Quinn, R-Claremore
John Trebilcock, R-Broken Arrow
Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs
Larry Glenn, D-Miami
Rebecca Hamilton, D-Oklahoma City
Seneca Scott, D-Tulsa
Cory Williams, D-Stillwater


Insurance
Charles Key, R-Oklahoma City, Chair
Dan Kirby, R-Tulsa, Vice-Chair
Mike Christian, R-Oklahoma City                                       
David Dank, R-Oklahoma City
Glen Mulready, R-Tulsa
Marty Quinn, R-Claremore
Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow
Sean Roberts, R-Hominy
Steve Vaughan, R-Ponca City
Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs          
Danny Morgan, D-Prague
Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City
Jabar Shumate, D-Tulsa


Economic Development, Tourism & Financial Services
Randy McDaniel, R-Edmond, Chair
Charles Ortega, R-Altus, Vice-Chair
Don Armes, R-Faxon                                               
Lee Denney, R-Cushing
George Faught, R-Muskogee
Corey Holland, R-Marlow
Mike Jackson, R-Enid
Charles Key, R-Oklahoma City
Skye McNiel, R-Bristow
Glen Mulready, R-Tulsa
Leslie Osborn, R-Tuttle
Pat Ownbey, R-Ardmore
Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City
Todd Russ, R-Cordell
Dan Sullivan, R-Tulsa
Mike Brown, D-Tahlequah                           
Al McAffrey, D-Oklahoma City
Danny Morgan, D-Prague
Richard Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City
Anastasia Pittman, D-Oklahoma City
Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City


Long-term Care & Senior Services
Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, Chair
R.C. Pruett, D-Antlers, Vice-Chair
Lisa Billy, R-Purcell 
Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell
Mike Christian, R-Oklahoma City
Ann Coody, R-Lawton
David Dank, R-Oklahoma City
Tom Newell, R-Seminole
Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow
Ed Cannaday, D-Porum
Will Fourkiller, D-Stilwell
James Lockhart, D-Heavener


Appropriations Subcommittee on Revenue & Taxation
David Dank, R-Oklahoma City, Chair
Pat Ownbey, R-Ardmore, Vice-Chair
Mike Jackson, R-Enid                                  
Steve Martin, R-Bartlesville
Tom Newell, R-Seminole
Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City
Todd Russ, R-Cordell
Weldon Watson, R-Tulsa
Mike Brown, D-Tahlequah
Anastasia Pittman, D-Oklahoma City
R. C. Pruett, D-Antlers


Appropriations Subcommittee on Education
Lee Denney, R-Cushing, Chair
Corey Holland, R-Marlow, Vice-Chair
Gary Banz, R-Midwest City
Dennis Casey, R-Morrison
Ann Coody, R-Lawton
Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City
Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs
Marty Quinn, R-Claremore
Todd Thomsen, R-Ada
Jeannie McDaniel, D-Tulsa
Jabar Shumate, D-Tulsa
Cory Williams, D-Stillwater


Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Transportation
Guy Liebmann, R-Oklahoma City, Chair
Harold Wright, R-Weatherford, Vice-Chair
George Faught, R-Muskogee                                   
Dennis Johnson, R-Duncan
Charles Key, R-Oklahoma City
Randy McDaniel, R-Edmond
Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie
T. W. Shannon, R-Lawton
Randy Terrill, R-Moore
Larry Glenn, D-Miami
Eric Proctor, D-Tulsa
Seneca Scott, D-Tulsa


Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Health & Social Services
Doug Cox, R-Grove, Chair
Marian Cooksey, R-Edmond, Vice-Chair
Josh Cockroft, R-McLoud                                       
David Derby, R-Owasso
Lewis Moore, R-Edmond
Glen Mulready, R-Tulsa
Sean Roberts, R-Hominy
Colby Schwartz, R-Yukon
Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore
Will Fourkiller, D-Stilwell                                       
Rebecca Hamilton, D-Oklahoma City
Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City


Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services
Ron Peters, R-Tulsa, Chair
Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City, Vice-Chair
Pam Peterson, R-Tulsa                                             
Elise Hall, R-Oklahoma City
Dustin Roberts, R-Durant
Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa
Steve Vaughan, R-Ponca City
Brian Renegar, D-McAlester
Jeannie McDaniel, D-Tulsa
Anastasia Pittman, D-Oklahoma City


Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources & Regulatory Services
Don Armes, R-Faxon, Chair
Leslie Osborn, R-Tuttle, Vice-Chair
John Enns, R-Enid                                       
Rusty Farley, R-Haworth
Dan Kirby, R-Tulsa
Skye McNiel, R-Bristow
Charles Ortega, R-Altus
Phil Richardson, R-Minco
Brian Renegar, D-McAlester                       
Jerry Shoemake, D-Morris
Purcy Walker, D-Elk City


Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety
Lisa Billy, R-Purcell, Chair
Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow, Vice-Chair
John Bennett, R-Sallisaw                                         
David Brumbaugh, R-Broken Arrow
Mike Christian, R-Oklahoma City
Tommy Hardin, R-Madill
Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher
Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs
Donnie Condit, D-McAlester
Paul Roan, D-Tishomingo


Appropriations Subcommittee on Judiciary
Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell, Chair
Mark McCullough, R-Sapulpa, Vice-Chair
Randy Grau, R-Edmond                                         
Charlie Joyner, R-Midwest City
John Trebilcock, R-Broken Arrow
Fred Jordan, R-Jenks
Aaron Stiles, R-Norman
Richard Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City
Ben Sherrer, D-Pryor
Emily Virgin, D-Norman

RNC Chair Race Update

As the election for Republican National Committee chair gets closer, the picture as to who will be chairman for the 2012 election cycle is beginning to form.

Currently, there are six candidates in the running: current RNC Chairman Michael Steele, former Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis, former RNC Co-Chair Ann Wagner, Party chairman Reince Priebus, former Bush administration official Maria Cino and former RNC political director Gentry Collins. Steele and Anuzis were candidates in the last RNC chair election (2009).

According to NationalJournal.com's Hotline on Call blog, this is the current tally of plegded votes for each candidate. Only members of the Republican National Commitee (three per state/territory) can vote in the chair election.

Reince Priebus - 16
Michael Steele - 12
Saul Anuzis - 10
Ann Wagner - 10
Maria Cino - 3
Gentry Collins - 2
Undeclared - 115
[Steele and Priebus do not have a website that I could find]

The Daily Caller and Americans for Tax Reform will be hosting a debate with the candidates on Monday, January 3rd at 1pm EST.

Coburn Releases "Wastebook 2010" Report

 

Dr. Coburn Releases New Oversight Report:“Wastebook 2010: A Guide to Some of the Most Wasteful Government Spending of 2010”

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) today released a new oversight report, “Wastebook 2010” that highlights some of the most egregious examples of government waste in 2010.

“As 2010 ends, millions of Americans are still struggling to find work. Even those lucky enough to have jobs have had to tighten their belts. Yet, Congress continues to find new and extravagant ways to waste tax dollars. In today’s economy, we can’t afford to spend nearly $2 million to showcase neon signs no longer in use at Las Vegas Casinos, nor can Congress and federal agencies afford to spend nearly $1 billion a year on unnecessary printing costs,” Dr. Coburn said.

“Our national debt is the greatest threat to our national security according to our own military leaders,” Dr. Coburn added. “Well-intentioned people across the political spectrum will argue about the best way to get us back on track. But we can all agree that cutting wasteful and low priority spending from the budget is not only sensible, but essential.”

“I hope this report will give taxpayers and concerned citizens the information they need to hold Washington accountable. As dysfunctional as our politics can seem, our system still works when ordinary citizens get informed and engaged,” Dr. Coburn said.

Examples of wasteful spending highlighted in “Wastebook 2010” include:

• The city of Las Vegas has received a $5.2 million federal grant to build the Neon Boneyard Park and Museum, including $1.8 million in 2010. For over the last decade, Museum supporters have gathered and displayed over 150 old Las Vegas neon signs, such as the Golden Nugget and Silver Slipper casinos.
• The National Science Foundation provided more than to $200,000 to a study of why political candidates make vague statements.
• The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) spends $175 million every year to maintain hundreds of buildings it does not use, including a pink, octagonal monkey house in Dayton, Ohio.
• Medicare paid out over $35 million to a vast network of 118 “phantom” medical clinics, allegedly established by members of a criminal gang to submit phony reimbursement claims.
• The Government Printing Office (GPO) is using a “video game space mouse” (and nearly $60,000 in taxpayer funds) to teach children the history of printing.
• In July, nearly half a million taxpayer dollars went to the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna, where wine tasting and castle tours were among the events planned for the conference participants.
• The Internal Revenue Service paid out $112 million in undeserved tax refunds to prisoners who filed fraudulent returns, according to the Treasury Department’s Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
• The National Science Foundation directed nearly a quarter million dollars to a Stanford University professor’s study of how Americans use the Internet to find love.
• The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) took the term “cold case” to a new level in 2010. The agency spent over $20,000 in taxpayer money “to unravel the anonymity of a 2,500-year-old mummy.”
• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) spent nearly $442,340 million to study the number of male prostitutes in Vietnam and their social setting.
• This year, taxpayers forked over $60,000 for the “first-of-its kind” promotion of the Vidalia onion in conjunction with the movie, Shrek Forever After. ”
• The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded over $600,000 to the Minnesota Zoo to create a wolf “avatar” video game called “WolfQuest.”
• A $700,000 federal grant paid for researchers to examine “greenhouse gas emission from organic dairies, which are cause by cow burps, among other things.”

Click here for the full report.

Click here for a video clip of "Wastebook 2010" exclusively covered on Good Morning America.

Feds force Payne County Bank to remove Bible verse, crosses, Merry Christmas buttons

From KOCO News:

PERKINS, Okla. -- A small-town bank in Oklahoma said the Federal Reserve won’t let it keep religious signs and symbols on display.

Federal Reserve examiners come every four years to make sure banks are complying with a long list of regulations. The examiners came to Perkins last week. And the team from Kansas City deemed a Bible verse of the day, crosses on the teller’s counter and buttons that say "Merry Christmas, God With Us." were inappropriate. The Bible verse of the day on the bank's Internet site also had to be taken down.

Read the rest of the story on KOCO.com.

For those who want to take action, call the Federal Reserve Consumer Line at 1-888-851-1920 or submit an online complaint at www.federalreserveconsumerhelp.gov.