1889 Institute: Destroying Others’ Property Is Violence, Period

Destroying Others’ Property Is Violence, Period

by Byron Schlomach, 1889 Institute

With riots characterized at times as “mostly peaceful protests,” it’s clear many in the press do not consider property destruction to be violent. Nevertheless, a large proportion of the “peaceful” participants, in obvious acts of aggression and hostility, have vandalized and stolen property. In fact, property destruction and theft are legitimately violently defended against, not because these acts only feel threatening, but because they are actually violent acts.

It’s common to hear individuals who use or threaten force in defense of their property condemned. After all, if no one is physically harmed, or even actually threatened, how can someone damaging inanimate objects possibly be considered violence, and how can defending objects with violence possibly be justified?

Most would agree that enslaving someone, even for a short time, is an act of violence. Slavery is a right or entitlement of one person to the fruits of another’s labor without recompense. It requires threatening certain harm if the slave tries to escape or fails to obey in order to get the slave’s compliance. The slaver does not ask the slave’s permission. Few would argue that an individual threatened with slavery, even if it were to last only months, has no right to defend himself with lethal force.

OCPA column: Medicaid expansion passed -- now we must pay for it

Medicaid expansion passed; now we must pay for it

By Jonathan Small

The June passage of Medicaid expansion means up to 628,000 able-bodied Oklahomans could be added to the medical-welfare program. And that creates a new challenge for state policymakers: How can they pay for expansion, particularly at a time of economic challenge?

One of the best solutions is for voters to approve a pending state question that could cover roughly $50 million in expansion costs by redirecting a portion of the state’s tobacco-settlement funding to Medicaid. But that will cover only a portion of expansion costs.

That’s because the true state cost of expansion is likely much higher than the laughable $164 million annual estimate supporters touted. At typical Medicaid costs, the true expense could run up to $374 million per year if all eligible citizens enroll.

Proof that Medicaid-expansion proponents lowballed their cost estimates came within weeks of the ballot measure’s passage. By August, a top legislative budget leader announced cost estimates had already surged from $164 million to $246 million—so $50 million is only a down payment.

Stitt: 77k new rapid point-of-care COVID tests being distributed in OK

GOVERNOR STITT ANNOUNCES CUTTING-EDGE RAPID POINT-OF-CARE COVID-19 TESTS BEING DISTRIBUTED TO OKLAHOMA 

Abbott BinaxNOW tests to be deployed to K-12 schools, health care workers, vulnerable populations 

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 1, 2020) – Governor Kevin Stitt today announced Oklahoma has received an initial allocation of roughly 77,000 Abbott Laboratories BinaxNOW rapid point-of-care COVID-19 tests. 

The Oklahoma State Department of Health will prioritize the distribution of these tests and equipment to K-12 schools, high-risk health care workers and other vulnerable populations. More specific details will be available in the coming days. 

“Distributing rapid point-of-care tests across our state will be incredibly valuable to keep our schools open for in-person instruction while protecting Oklahomans from this virus,” said Gov. Stitt. “These tests will also help us keep our frontline healthcare workers and their families safe as they continue their important mission of caring for the sick and our most vulnerable.” 

Group calls pro-SQ805 ads "disengenuous", says ads hide criminals' long rap sheets

“DISINGENUOUS:” Proponents of State Question 805 Are Hiding “Long Rap Sheets” of the Criminals in Their Ad

Criminals featured in Ad actually have much longer criminal records than suggested — perpetrators have been charged with serial theft, stolen vehicle, weapons charge, obstructing an officer, drug possession, assault and battery, and more.

“These are far from first-time offenders,” says former Governor Frank Keating

Oklahoma City (No 805, October 1, 2020) — Proponents of State Question 805 launched their Ad just a few days ago, suggesting that the criminals featured in it just needed a little more leniency for their offenses.

However, a FACT CHECK now reveals that the individuals featured in the ad actually have a long trail of crimes behind them that tells quite a different story.

Mary:
9 felonies total

A criminal character who is portrayed in their initial ad is a person whom proponents say is an older woman arrested for just “writing a few bad checks.” But in fact, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections database proves that where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

The character in the ad appears to be based on Mary L. Phillips, who didn’t just “write a few bad checks” — rather, she has at least 14 counts of bogus check-writing, forgery, possession of a controlled substance (drugs), larceny, and more. She has 9 felonies:

“Bruce”

7 felonies total

The 805 ad also highlights a veteran named “Bruce” — whom the proponents of S.Q. 805 portray as a guy who after leaving the military was just a little down on his luck. However, Bruce was given many chances even after committing theft, possession of drugs, and stealing a vehicle, He was given every opportunity including drug court in lieu of prison — but eventually he even went AWOL from that. He has 7 felonies total.

“Barry”
8 felonies total

Another individual that proponents of 805 like to discuss is “Barry” — who proponents suggest was facing incarceration for simply “stealing a lawnmower” — but he, too, has a long rap sheet. “Barry,” who has also used an alias, has at least 8 prior offenses in 3 different jurisdictions and has committed serial theft, stolen a vehicle, was in possession of a controlled substance (drugs), obstructed an officer, had a weapons charge, and more. After he failed drug court, he was placed on an ankle monitor to return to society; while still on his ankle monitor, he committed assault and battery. His Department of Corrections rap sheet actually looks like this:

“Proponents of S.Q. 805 talk about second chances, however this was ‘Barry’s’ ninth chance. If 805 becomes law, and ‘Barry’ commits his 10th felony, he’ll be out in a matter of days because neither the judge nor jury will be permitted to take into account his history as a repeat offender,” said Muskogee County District Attorney Orvil Loge.  “When the system is working harder to keep a criminal out of prison than the criminal himself is, there is clearly a problem.”

“Sonya”
9 total felonies

The Yes on S.Q. 805 also features a “single mother” who was simply “shoplifting.” But a closer look at her record shows that she was actually a serial shoplifter with multiple violations of larceny/theft, in addition to forgery and at least five (5) occasions of possession of drugs — with at least one occasion of possession of drugs with the intent to distribute (drug dealing). With 9 total felonies, her rap sheet looks like this:

Conclusion 

“These criminals are far from first-time offenders, and for proponents of State Question 805 to suggest otherwise is disingenuous,” said former Governor Frank Keating, supporter of Oklahomans United against 805, former prosecutor and former U.S. Attorney. Keating also oversaw the nation’s top law enforcement agencies such as the Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.  “S.Q. 805 would reward repeat offenders, encouraging them to continue committing crimes including check forgery, possession of drugs, domestic violence in the presence of a child, child trafficking, solicitation of a child using online technology, and more. Oklahomans deserve better than this.”

Voter registration surges in Oklahoma ahead of October 9th deadline

 

Oklahoma Sees 116K Net Increase in Voter Registrations in 2020; Deadline to Register for General Election is Oct. 9

(Oklahoma City) – Voter registration rolls in Oklahoma are surging ahead of the October 9 voter registration deadline, according to new statistics released today by the Oklahoma State Election Board.

Voter registration statistics for the month ending September 30 show a net increase of more than 116,000 registered voters since January 15 – including a net increase of more than 34,000 registered voters in the past month.

Highlights of the Oklahoma’s September 30 voter registration statistics include:

President Trump, First Lady test positive for COVID-19

Breaking news this morning:

Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2020

As too many Americans have done this year, @potus & I are quarantining at home after testing positive for COVID-19. We are feeling good & I have postponed all upcoming engagements. Please be sure you are staying safe & we will all get through this together.

— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) October 2, 2020

Memorandum from President @realDonaldTrump’s Physician pic.twitter.com/ujHUufQBln

— Judd Deere (@JuddPDeere45) October 2, 2020

Prayers for a speedy recovery for both of them.

Fair and Williams publish voters guide on judges, justices, and State Questions

Conservative activists Steve Fair and Georgia Williams, both from southwestern Oklahoma, have published a brief voters guide for over 25 years, discussing the various state questions, judges, and justices on Oklahoma's statewide ballot. Here is the link to their full 2020 guide, along with a brief summary.

State Questions

• State Question 805: Against
• State Question 814: Support

Oklahoma Supreme Court

• Justice M. John Kane IV: Retain
• Justice Tom Colbert: Do Not Retain
• Justice Richard Darby: Retain

Court of Criminal Appeals

• Judge Rob Hudson: Retain
• Judge Gary Lumpkin: Do Not Retain

Court of Civil Appeals

• Judge Jane Wiseman: Do Not Retain
• Judge Deborah Barnes: Do Not Retain
• Judge Keith Rapp: Do Not Retain

Be sure to read their full guide here for more information on why they encourage Oklahomans to vote this way.

1889 Institute publishes guide to preventing corporate welfare

THINK TANK PUBLISHES GUIDE TO PREVENTING CORPORATE WELFARE

Oklahoma is Top-Ten in handing out corporate welfare.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (September 30, 2020) – The 1889 Institute has published “Policymaker’s Guide to Evaluating Corporate Welfare,” which attempts to guide policymakers in how to avoid supporting corporate welfare schemes. It does this by urging policymakers to ask critical questions about proposed “jobs” and “economic development” programs that might sound good when lobbyists are making their best sales pitches but are actually economically counterproductive.

Authored by the Institute’s Research Associates, Spencer Cadavero and Tyler Williamson, as well as 1889 Institute Director, Byron Schlomach, the study offers solutions to the corporate welfare problem as well as criticism. It recommends that more time and effort be devoted to perfecting the state’s tax system as a better way to compete with other states. It condemns incentives for retail and distribution centers, given that these automatically locate where people are. And finally, it advocates an interstate compact where states contractually promise not to compete on the basis of direct subsidies and special tax benefits.

State Health Department: flu vaccine available starting today

Flu Vaccine Available Starting Oct. 1

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 30, 2020) – Local county health departments and other health care providers in Oklahoma will begin offering seasonal flu vaccinations on Thursday, Oct. 1. Almost everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year. It is an effective way to prevent flu illness and another great tool for mitigating the impacts of COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a flu vaccine by the end of October, before flu begins spreading in the community. The flu vaccine can keep a person from getting the flu and make the illness less severe if a person gets it. 

CDC has worked with vaccine manufacturers to have extra flu vaccine available this flu season, and Oklahoma will distribute 400,000 flu vaccine doses to ensure availability of an affordable or free flu shot this year.

OCPA: House Dems’ request is an attack on needy children

 

Lawmakers’ request is an attack on needy children

By Jonathan Small

State House Democrats have asked Attorney General Mike Hunter for an opinion on whether it is legal to use federal funds to help low-income (and often minority) students attend private schools. Yet that question has been asked and answered—in the affirmative—repeatedly.

Earlier this year Congress approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, providing hundreds of millions to state governments for COVID-19 response. Oklahoma education entities were among the recipients with public schools getting $160 million, state colleges—both public and private—getting another $159 million, and nearly $40 million placed in the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund.

Stitt designated $10 million in GEER funding for his “Stay in School” program. That program is expected to provide more than 1,500 Oklahoma families with $6,500 apiece for private-school tuition. That’s a bargain compared to roughly $9,200 apiece that would otherwise be spent educating those kids in public schools.

Oklahoma District Attorneys Association votes to oppose SQ 805

Oklahoma District Attorneys Association Votes Overwhelmingly to OPPOSE State Question 805

Oklahoma City (September 24th) — The Oklahoma District Attorneys Association has voted to oppose State Question 805, stating that the measure is a danger to Oklahoma’s public safety.

“State Question 805 is a misguided proposal which would impact hundreds of serious crimes,” said Angela Marsee, Oklahoma District Attorneys Association officer. “Proponents claim it’s a reform that helps first-time offenders, but in reality it will serve get-out-of-jail-free cards on a silver platter to repeat violent offenders of domestic violence in the presence of a child, stalking, animal cruelty, home burglary, arson, DUI, or soliciting sex from a minor using technology.”

Oklahoma’s district attorneys also challenge S.Q. 805 with a fact-check about claims in their new ad:

Humphrey: House Dems' false accusations must stop

OPINION: False Accusations Must Stop

By State Rep. Justin Humphrey

It is time for Americans to respond and stop allowing hostile antagonists to assert false political statements.

House Democratic leadership and others have asserted claims of a COVID-19 state cover-up, alleging the governor withheld and misrepresented information given to him by the White House Taskforce. Democrat partisans go on to deceptively declare Oklahomans have lost their voice because Republicans have conceded power to Gov. Stitt.

Claims that Republicans have failed to hold the governor accountable and that this alleged failure falls on the laps of all Republicans are absolutely incorrect.

Let’s recap several vital issues addressed by Republican legislators in 2020. Numerous Republicans openly opposed the governor’s stand on tribal issues. Republicans strongly disagreed with the governor’s budget and Republicans led the veto override of the governor’s budget veto in a historic fashion.

I am proud to work with the governor on issues where we agree, but it is undeniable that we have held the governor accountable.