State Senate study examines potential modernization of Open Meeting Act

Senate study examines potential modernization of Open Meeting Act

OKLAHOMA CITY – An interim study held Wednesday in the Oklahoma Senate examined the potential to make permanent changes that the Oklahoma Legislature made earlier this year to the state’s open meeting law that allowed agencies, boards and commissions at the state and local level to meet and hold public meetings virtually, in accordance with health and safety guidelines due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, requested the study saying he thinks the temporary changes have been mostly successful and that making them permanent may be worthwhile to ensure state laws accommodate the use of new technology. The changes to the Open Meeting Act expire Nov. 15.

“I think the changes the Legislature made to the Open Meeting Act were successful on two fronts,” Treat said. “The changes allowed government at state and local levels to continue to meet publicly and do their jobs while still following coronavirus-related health and safety protocols. The changes also brought public meetings online increasing transparency of government at the state and local level by giving the public even more access to observe the actions of public bodies.”

1889 Institute: An Alliterative Appeal for Balanced Behavior and A Cease to COVID Craziness

An Alliterative Appeal for Balanced Behavior and A Cease to COVID Craziness

By Mike Davis

Allowing an admittedly adverse ailment to be inaccurately advertised as apocalyptic is abhorrent. An accurate assessment advises all to avoid alarmism and act appropriately. Anxieties are anticipated, but authentic appraisal admits an alternative: any of advanced age or anemic autoimmunity are advised to avoid acquaintances and afflicted areas. Able-bodied adults and adolescents are able to get back to business.

Bureaucrats ban beneficial business. Busybodies blinded by bombastic broadcasts belittle benign behaviors. But bravery bolsters benevolence. By bringing back businesses, cities can commence cooperative commerce. 

Concededly, Covid causes casualties. However, car crashes can be catastrophic. Curiously, coupes continue to cruise. Caution is called for, but we can't condone crippling cowardice.

Anti-crime group launches campaign against State Question 805

Opponents Launch Campaign against State Question 805, Which Would Lessen Penalties for Repeat Offenders and Violent Criminals

Oklahoma City - Today, “Oklahomans United against 805” launched their campaign against a state question which would lessen jail sentences for habitual offenders of very serious crimes like domestic violence in the presence of a child, animal cruelty, home burglary, arson or DUI that leaves someone maimed, and even some classifications of child trafficking. 

Opponents of the measure are concerned about the core of State Question 805, which would ban a repeat criminal’s past crimes from being taken into consideration during sentencing. By taking away the ability to enhance a sentence based on past convictions, SQ 805 essentially treats habitual offenders as first-time offenders. 

State Question 805 would, therefore, lessen the punishment for those REPEATEDLY committing these serious crimes.

“It is very clear now that State Question 805 isn’t about providing ‘second chances’ for first-time criminals,” said Tricia Everest, a long-time community activist who has fought for diversion programs like drug courts and veterans’ courts to help break the cycle of crime that hits too many Oklahoma families.  “SQ805 will affect much more than standard drug crimes. It will lessen penalties for those repeatedly committing serious crimes ranging from child trafficking, domestic violence in the presence of a child, and animal cruelty, to property crimes like burglarizing homes.”

OCPA column: A courageous leader in challenging times

 A courageous leader in challenging times

By Jonathan Small

In his remarkable tenure as president of the University of Oklahoma, James Gallogly focused the university on its core mission of providing a quality education to the average student, not catering to distractions, special interests and wasteful spending. His success in achieving that goal is why the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs recently presented Gallogly with our citizenship award.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt noted Winston Churchill once said, “This is no time for ease and comfort. It is time to dare and endure,” and, “Courage is rightly considered the foremost of the virtues, for upon it all others depend.” Stitt noted of Gallogly, “When I think of courage, I think of my friend Jim Gallogly.”

Because of Gallogly’s success, it’s easy to forget how bad things were at OU when Gallogly took over. The university was a financial mess, on its way to not being able to make payroll, headed for default on obligations, and had a broken culture.

Oklahoma unemployment rate drops further, now 10th lowest in nation

OKLAHOMA UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IMPROVES,  STATE RANKS 10TH NATIONALLY  

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 18, 2020)-- Governor Kevin Stitt today announced the State of Oklahoma is now ranked 10th in the nation for lowest unemployment rate. 

New figures released by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and the U.S. Department of Labor show Oklahoma’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 5.7% in August, a significant decrease from 12.6% in May and a further decrease from 7.1% in July.  

"Oklahoma's perseverance and pioneer spirit continues to shine bright as we bounce back from the economic impact of COVID-19," said Gov. Stitt. "These numbers prove our safe reopening plan is working, and Oklahomans are getting back on their feet and finding jobs thanks to our businesses who continue to innovate and grow their operations.” 

In August, statewide seasonally adjusted employment increased by 51,621 persons (3.1%), while unemployment decreased by 23,085 persons (-18.1%). 

State House brings in former Speaker T.W. Shannon to help with redistricting

House retains T.W. Shannon to assist with redistricting

OKLAHOMA CITY – To enhance its strong commitment to public input in the upcoming redistricting process, the House of Representatives has retained T.W. Shannon as a public liaison on redistricting matters.

Shannon, Oklahoma’s 42nd speaker of the House and the first Black speaker in state history, is a member of the Chickasaw Nation who has lived in both urban and rural Oklahoma.

“T.W. Shannon is an incredibly effective communicator whose diversity and deep understanding of all of Oklahoma will strongly benefit the House’s public-focused redistricting process,” said House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka.

Shannon will assist the House Redistricting Committee and House Redistricting Office in a nonpartisan manner with public interaction and input. His primary duty is to build bridges between the public and the House on redistricting matters on behalf of all House members.

Shannon will serve as a community liaison across the state to help the House solicit and interpret the public input that is the bedrock of the House redistricting process. He will also serve as a spokesman to the public and media as needed. He will report to the Redistricting Committee and its subcommittees.

Rep. Moore: State budget deficit inspires millions in savings proposals

Budget Deficit Inspires Millions in Savings Proposals

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House Insurance Committee held a recent interim study to review ways to decrease the cost of health insurance, save money and improve health insurance efficiencies.

Representatives of Strategic Cost Containment Concepts (SCCC), powered by AmWINS, presented RX Interceptor & Pharmacy Rebates, a proprietary program to provide significant savings to the state in prescriptions and medical care.

The RX Inceptor Program claims to help reduce prescription claims spend by 30% to 50%. The group works with pharmaceutical advocates to help eligible individuals qualify for savings on high-cost specialty medications. They say that up to 100% of the drug rebates, built-in stop-loss, and a full annual Pharmacy Performance Audit can account for savings to the state. 

1889 Institute: To save the Oklahoma judiciary, we must reform it

 

To Save the Oklahoma Judiciary, We Must Reform It

The Oklahoma Supreme Court too often acts as though it is a super legislature rather than the state’s highest court. It should be a neutral arbiter, applying the laws passed by the actual Legislature to cases that come before it. Instead, the Court appears to first determine the policy result it desires and then dream up the arbitrary legal reasoning necessary to justify that result.

The Oklahoma Legislature is not required to sit idly while the Oklahoma Supreme Court abuses its constitutional authority. It can—and should—act to rein in the Supreme Court. In fact, legislators have a responsibility to jealously guard their own institutional power. After all, we sent them to the Capitol as our representatives. It is what we hired them to do, and they have a duty to do it.

The surest way to reform the Court is to change the way justices are selected. That process is dominated by the Oklahoma Bar Association, under a system documented to produce a more left-wing judiciary than other selection methods. Unfortunately, in Oklahoma, doing so would require the heavy lift of a constitutional amendment.

But the Legislature is not without recourse.

OCPA: Democrats ignoring the law and courts to attack needy children

Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, issued the following statement Wednesday in response to House Democrats attacking a state program that serves the educational needs of low-income and minority children.

“House Democrats claim Governor Kevin Stitt cannot use federal COVID funds to help low-income and minority students stay in private schools. The text of the federal law that provided the funding, rulings from both the U.S. Supreme Court and Oklahoma Supreme Court, and Attorney General Mike Hunter’s own award-winning brief in a prior court case all say House Democrats are wrong. Over and over, the legality of allowing parents to use taxpayer funds to pay for private school has been upheld so long as the program is viewpoint neutral. The governor’s plan meets all criteria. It is very disturbing that House Democrats would try to take money out of the pockets of needy children to deprive them of a quality education, especially at a time when many public schools are refusing to provide even the most basic in-person instruction.”

State Election Board officials caution voters about mailing from “OKVOTE” organization

State Election Board Officials Caution Voters About Mailing From “OKVOTE” Organization

(Oklahoma City) – Officials with the Oklahoma State Election Board cautioned voters about a mailing from a Tulsa-based organization, “OKVOTE,” after state and county election offices received several complaints from voters this week.

The mailing is an unsolicited, pre-filled voter registration application accompanied by a letter that mistakenly advises some recipients that “according to State Election Board records” they are not registered to vote at their current address – even though official Election Board records actually show many of the recipients who have contacted election officials are already properly registered.

“State and county election officials are not affiliated with OKVOTE nor with this mailing,” State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax said. “Although we know OKVOTE has good intentions, this mailing has caused confusion by mistakenly telling some registered voters that they are not registered to vote at their address. We encourage voters who received this letter to use the official OK Voter Portal or contact their County Election Board to confirm their voter registration.”

Hern joins GOP caucus in introducing "Commitment to America" platform

Hern joins Republican Conference to introduce “Commitment to America” platform

WASHINGTON, DC – This morning, Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) joined Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), Republican Whip Steve Scalise (LA-01), and the rest of the House Republican Conference to formally announce the Commitment to America agenda, which will focus on restoring the American way of life, rebuilding the greatest economy in American history, and renewing the American Dream.

“The atmosphere was full of hope and opportunity this morning,” said Rep. Hern. “While Democrats focus on everything that separates us, Leader McCarthy laid out a plan of unity that celebrates American exceptionalism and seeks to restore what has been lost this year. My colleagues and I have been working on this Commitment for a while, compiling over 150 policy proposals to support the key promises to Restore, Rebuild, and Renew.

“We all believe that America is worth fighting for; there is no place like it. Only in America can someone like me start with nothing and – with a lot of hard work and setbacks along the way – build something successful and have the opportunity to serve my community in Congress. With this Commitment to America, we are promising that same opportunity to all Americans. I am living proof that the American Dream is not dead. I want the next generations to know that anything is possible with a big idea and lot of hard work. Your Republican leaders have a clear path forward, a legislative agenda to benefit all American families, businesses, and communities.”

1889 Institute: About those roads in Texas...

About Those Roads in Texas

By Ben Lepak

Perhaps you have encountered a phenomenon most Oklahomans are familiar with: cruising south on I-35, as soon as you cross the Red River the road gets noticeably smoother. The painted lane stripes get a little brighter and the roadside “Welcome to Texas” visitors’ center gleams in the sunlight, a modern and well-maintained reminder of how much more money the Lonestar State spends on public infrastructure than little old Oklahoma.

Or does it? Why are the roads so much, well, better in Texas? Turns out, it isn’t the amount of money spent, at least not when compared to the overall size of the state’s economy and personal income of its inhabitants. Figures compiled by 1889 Institute reveal that Oklahoma actually spends significantly more on roads than Texas as a percentage of both state GDP and personal income. The data was from 2016, before Oklahoma’s tax and spending increases of recent years. The gap is likely greater today.