'Yes on 793' launches first TV ad

YES ON 793 CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES FIRST COMMERCIAL

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 7) - The Yes on 793 campaign will launch their first campaign commercial this weekend introducing Oklahomans to State Question 793 and the need to increase access, affordability and choice for eye care in our state.

Campaign Chair Tim Tippit said, "Allowing retail stores to offer eye care services such as eye exams and eyewear will work to improve access to affordable and convenient eye care for patients of all ages and incomes. Even more, this will bring down the cost of eye care for consumers and increase options for all Oklahomans. State Question 793 would let optometrists’ practice in retail stores, such as Costco, Walmart, Target and others– just as they do in 47 other states. Once again, Oklahoma is losing a border war to Texas, Kansas, Arkansas and other states who have this option."



Tim Tippit also said this is a statewide effort to educate voters on this important issue, "This is a robust statewide media buy. The opposition continues to mislead the public with false claims. Oklahoma eye doctors have spent all their time attacking the free market and maligning fellow optometrists to protect their bottom line at all costs - even if it means less access to care and higher prices for Oklahoma patients. The mistruths and fear mongering have been disappointing to say the least. It is imperative that we make every effort to provide factual information on the need to change this outdated, special interest protection and allow Oklahoma consumers the access, affordability and choice enjoyed by 47 other states. We need State Question 793 for children, families, seniors and all citizens."

Election Results Maps: Attorney General runoff

This Election Results Map post looks at the GOP Attorney General runoff. Previously, I posted the State Auditor runoff, which can be viewed here.

Hunter won Oklahoma County by 21.85%, which enabled him to eke out a 271-vote victory. Hunter won 21 counties, Drummond won 55 counties, and Washita County ended in a dead tie.

Drummond won 40 counties that Hunter won in the primary. Hunter did not beat Drummond in any county that Drummond won in the primary.

OCPA president on Edmondson and Boren's call for higher taxes

OCPA president responds to Edmondson, Boren press conference

After former officials David Boren and Drew Edmondson held a press conference on education, Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA), released the following the statement:

“The problems facing Oklahoma do not stem from a lack of revenue. Since 2015, the Legislature has raised about $1.1 billion in annual tax increases and other revenue.

“Oklahoma now has more money for public schools than ever before, well over $12,000 per student across the state. Based on the most current national teacher salary data, Oklahoma teachers would be the 13th highest paid in the country after their raise when considering cost of living. State Question 801, on the ballot this fall, would open up even more education revenues for teacher pay and help hold administrators accountable.

“Real education leadership means focusing on results for students, not just dollars for adults and the unsatisfiable demands of unions.”

Stitt responds to Edmondson's call for more tax hikes

STITT RESPONDS TO EDMONDSON’S CALL FOR MORE TAX INCREASES

TULSA, Okla. (Sept. 6, 2018) – Kevin Stitt, Republican candidate for governor, issued a statement today to respond to former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson’s press conference calling for more tax increases on hardworking Oklahomans:

“Since day one, I have called for teachers to be paid competitive wages, a key requirement for Oklahoma to become Top Ten in education. Over the past year, our state revenue has grown by more than $1 billion, and our economy is making a comeback. In the next few weeks, we will also begin to see the impact from tax increases passed earlier this year. Yet, my opponent is already calling for even more taxes on hardworking Oklahomans. In a Stitt administration, we will make it a priority to invest more in education, but it starts by assessing new state revenue at hand, diversifying our economy, and delivering accountability across our state budget.”

Election Results Maps: State Auditor runoff

For the latest installment of my Election Results Maps series, here we take a look at the recent GOP runoff for State Auditor and Inspector.

This map shows the lead by each candidate. Cindy Byrd dominated in her native southeastern region (getting 83.93% of the vote in her home of Coal County), but was only able to overcome Prater's statewide strength on her 10.18% win in Tulsa County.

This map compares the primary leader to the runoff victor in each county. In the runoff, Byrd flipped 4 counties that Prater led in from the primary, while Prater flipped 28 counties that Byrd had won in the primary.

I hope to look at the rest of the races in the coming days.

Schlomach: Oklahoma’s Pre-K - Spending a Lot for Less

Oklahoma’s Pre-K: Spending a Lot for Less

by Byron Schlomach

In 2015, 75 percent of Oklahoma’s 4 year olds were enrolled in public school prekindergarten. Only two states, Vermont and Florida, enrolled a higher percentage. Meanwhile, 26 states enrolled fewer than 20 percent of their 4 year olds. Another 14 states enrolled fewer than 40 percent. You would think that if large prekindergarten programs led to success, Oklahoma would provide the evidence. Unfortunately, Oklahoma’s outsized public prekindergarten program likely accomplishes little more than enlarging the state’s school bureaucracy and providing free childcare.

Oklahoma’s prekindergarten program has been around long enough that if it really makes a difference, Oklahoma should have seen some gains relative to the rest of the country. In fact, Oklahoma’s 4th graders consistently score below the national average on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), despite a much celebrated blip in 2015 that was completely erased by 2017. It’s not as if the country-wide results are rocketing skyward and we are just lagging a little. NAEP results nationwide are flat.

Despite the less-than-stellar results, Oklahoma formula-funds prekindergarten at an extraordinary level, and has for more than 20 years. A prekindergarten student’s formula-funding is 30 percent higher than a 4th grader’s, and over 8 percent higher than a middle or high school child’s. Private school pricing in Oklahoma, not determined by politics, charges a slight premium for pre-school ages compared to other low grades, but nothing like the funding premium in public school formulas.

It makes sense to charge more for schooling 4 year olds than for 4th graders. Fourth graders respond more predictably to rules and discipline, are far less likely to have restroom issues, and they can sit still longer. But private school pricing suggests only a 5 percent bump in prekindergarten funding over 4th grade.

Why is public school funding for prekindergarten so high? One reason might be that there is a college-educated individual who qualifies for the minimum teacher salary schedule (at lowest, $37k this year) in every classroom. Prekindergarten classes are held to 20 or fewer students, and more than 10 students require a teaching assistant, according to a law that has been relaxed but is still largely adhered to. Though subject to regulation, private schools still find it less necessary to have college graduates work with 4 year olds and have greater flexibility with what they pay.

The political pressure for universal prekindergarten programs has been bolstered by research on early-age brain development and its seeming implications for life-time intelligence, indicating urgency for getting children into learning environments. Recently, an ongoing study of Tulsa’s prekindergarten results indicated tangible benefits for prekindergarten participants, that they are more ready for kindergarten.

For those of us who didn’t attend kindergarten, much less prekindergarten, but still managed a PhD in economics or, in the case of my brother, helped to engineer the Joint Strike Fighter, prekindergarten’s benefits seem mighty sparse. The fact is, prekindergarten’s positive effects on standardized test scores have long proven temporary. But recently, the Arnold Foundation’s Straight Talk on Evidence website reviewed results of a large randomized trial from Tennessee that shows prekindergarten has mostly negative long-term effects kicking in by third grade.

Because of our large prekindergarten program, our education funding is spread more thinly over more students, as compared to most states. Scaling back Oklahoma’s prekindergarten system to half its current size would save $140 million and the program would still be larger than those of most states. It might be time to rethink and limit our state’s prekindergarten to the truly disadvantaged, hopefully without hurting their future academic success.

Byron Schlomach is Director of the 1889 Institute, a think tank based in Oklahoma City.

Music Monday: Boomer Sooner

To kick off the college football season, this week's Music Monday is the University of Oklahoma's fight song, Boomer Sooner.



Enjoy!

See below for all previous Music Monday posts. Do you have a song you'd like to suggest for a future Music Monday? Email me at JamisonFaught@MuskogeePolitico.com.

August 20th, 2018: Psalm 23
August 13th, 2018: Ashokan Farewell
August 6, 2018: How the West Was Won
July 23rd, 2018: I Just Can't Wait to Be King
July 16th, 2018: 'Jupiter' from 'The Planets'
July 9th, 2018: Hail to the Spirit of Liberty
July 2nd, 2018: Turn The Tide
June 25th, 2018: Good Guys Win
June 18th, 2018: Watching You
June 11th, 2018: Adoration
June 4th, 2018: March from 'A Moorside Suite'
May 28th, 2018: Taps
May 21st, 2018: Listz's La Campanella
May 14th, 2018: Handful of Weeds
May 7th, 2018: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
April 30th, 2018: Polonaise in A-flat major, Op. 53 ("Heroic")
April 23rd, 2018: Blow Ye The Trumpet
April 16th, 2018: Asturias (Leyenda)
April 9th, 2018: Old Mountain Dew
April 2nd, 2018: His Life For Mine
March 19th, 2018: See, the Conqu'ring Hero Comes!
March 12th, 2018: Choctaw Nation
March 5th, 2018: Hark, I Hear The Harps Eternal
February 19th, 2018: The Olympic Spirit
February 12th, 2018: Olympic Fanfare and Theme
January 29th, 2018: Hail to the Chief
January 23rd, 2018: Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 39 No. 15
January 15th, 2018: Bleed The Same
January 8th, 2018: Saint-Saëns' Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Maestoso)
December 25th, 2017: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
December 18th, 2017: I Saw Three Ships (The Piano Guys)
December 11th, 2017:Who Is He In Yonder Stall
December 4th, 2017: Carol of the Bells (Mannheim Steamroller)
November 27th, 2017: Joy to the World!
November 20th, 2017: We Gather Together
November 13th, 2017: Mansions of the Lord
November 6th, 2017: Träumerei
October 30th: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
October 23rd, 2017: In Christ Alone
October 16th, 2017: When I'm Knee Deep In Bluegrass
October 9th, 2017: I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb
October 2nd, 2017: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major (Brahms)
September 25th, 2017: Beethoven's Sonata No. 8 in C minor ('Pathétique')
September 11th, 2017: Have You Forgotten?
September 4th, 2017: Bach's Double Violin Concerto
August 28th, 2017: Noah Found Grace In The Eyes Of The Lord
August 21st, 2017: The Heavens Are Telling The Glory of God
August 14th, 2017: Beethoven's 5th Symphony
August 7th, 2017: 'Lift High The Name Of Jesus' medley
July 31st, 2017: Fanfare for the Common Man
July 24th, 2017: Variations on 'Happy Birthday'
July 10th, 2017: Summer (Presto) from Vivaldi's Four Seasons
July 3rd, 2017: Freelance Fireworks Hall of Fame
June 26th, 2017: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
June 19th, 2017: A Christian Home
June 12th, 2017: Ol' Man River
June 5th, 2017: Choctaw Cowboy
May 29th, 2017: Armed Forces Salute
May 22nd, 2017: Double Bass Concerto No.2 in B minor
May 15th, 2017: Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D major
May 8th, 2017: The Army Goes Rolling Along
April 17th, 2017: He Is Alive
April 10th, 2017: Surely He Hath Borne/And With His Stripes/All We Like Sheep
April 3rd, 2017: Here Comes Carolina
March 27th, 2017: 'Spring' from Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons'
March 20th, 2017: Symphony No. 5 ("Reformation") Finale
March 13th, 2017: The Pigeon on the Gate
March 6th, 2017: Finlandia
February 27th, 2017: When I Can Read My Title Clear
February 20th, 2017: William Tell Overture - Finale
February 13th, 2017: 'Romance' from 'The Gadfly'
February 6th, 2017: White Winter Hymnal
January 30th, 2017: Hail, Columbia
January 23rd, 2017: Hail to the Chief
January 16th, 2017: Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy
January 2nd, 2017: Auld Lang Syne
December 26th, 2016: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
December 19th, 2016: I Wonder as I Wander
December 12th, 2016: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
December 5th, 2016: A Christmas Festival
November 28th, 2016: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
November 21st: Beethoven's 'Hymn of Thanksgiving'
November 14th: Hymn to the Fallen
November 7th: This World Is Not My Home
October 31st, 2016: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
October 24th, 2016: 'Mars', from 'The Planets'
October 17th, 2016: My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
October 10th, 2016: Spain
October 3rd, 2016: International Harvester
September 26th, 2016: 'The Imperial March' from Star Wars
September 19th, 2016: Awake the Trumpet's Lofty Sound
September 12th, 2016: Before the Throne of God Above
September 5th, 2016: The Hunt
August 29th, 2016: Liberty
August 22nd, 2016: Summon the Heroes
August 15th, 2016: Bugler's Dream
August 8th, 2016: Olympic Fanfare and Theme
August 1st, 2016: 'Prelude' and 'Parade of the Charioteers' from Ben-Hur
July 25th, 2016: How The West Was Won
July 18th, 2016: Six Studies in English Folk Song
July 11th, 2016: From Everlasting To Everlasting
July 4th, 2016: The Stars and Stripes Forever
June 27th, 2016: Rule, Britannia!
June 20st, 2016: Bugler's Holiday
June 13th, 2016: Ride of the Valkyries
June 6th, 2016: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54, Allegro Vivace
May 30th, 2016: Armed Forces Salute
May 23rd, 2016: Paid in Full (Through Jesus, Amen)
May 16th, 2016: Overture from 'Carmen'
May 9th, 2016: L'Arlesienne Suite No. 1 - Prelude
May 2nd, 2016: My God Is a Rock
April 25th, 2016: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
April 18th, 2016: Paganini's Caprice No. 24 in A Minor
April 11th, 2016: Fantasia on a 17th Century Tune
April 4th, 2016: Hark The Sound/I'm a Tarheel Born
March 28th, 2016: Rustle of Spring
March 21st, 2016: 'Ode to Joy' sung by a 10,000-voice choir
March 14th, 2016: Hard Times Come Again No More
March 7th, 2016: 'The Suite' from Downton Abbey
February 29th, 2016: Moonlight Sonata
February 22nd, 2016: Liebestraum No. 3
February 15th, 2016: Help Is On The Way
February 8th, 2016: God of Grace and God of Glory
February 1st, 2016: 'My Story'
January 25th, 2016: Israeli Concertino
January 18th, 2016: What Grace is Mine
January 11th, 2016: "Meditation" from Thaïs
January 4th, 2016: Praeludium and Allegro
December 28th, 2015: Appalachian Carol
December 21st, 2015: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
December 14th, 2015: O Holy Night
December 7th, 2015: Christmas Fantasy
November 23rd, 2015: Simple Gifts
November 16th, 2015: Preacher Tell Me Like It Is
November 9th, 2015: Armed Forces Salute
November 2nd, 2015: Amazing Grace
October 26th, 2015: The Harmonious Blacksmith
October 19th, 2015: Liberty Fanfare
October 12th, 2015: The Majesty and Glory of Your Name
October 5th, 2015: Elgar's 'Enigma' Finale
September 28th, 2015: Stayed on Jesus
September 21st, 2015: Great Gate of Kiev
September 14th, 2015: Nearer, My God, To Thee

Runoff election results recap

The runoff election was held on Tuesday, and this is the first chance I've had to sit down and post about the results. There were some shockers, some nail-biters, and some expected results from the voting. Let's get right into it.

Governor: Republican Kevin Stitt defeated Mick Cornett by nine points, 54.56% to 45.44%, winning all but nine counties (OKC metro and some north-central counties). Libertarian Chris Powell defeated Rex Lawhorn 59.07% to 40.93%. The two nominess will now face Democrat Drew Edmondson in the general election.

Lieutenant Governor: Republican Matt Pinnell happily surprised me by handily defeating Dana Murphy 58.14% to 41.86%. Pinnell garnered the highest percentage and most votes of any candidate on the ballot Tuesday, winning 70 of 77 counties. Murphy lost both major metros, which she won in the primary, only pulling ahead in seven north-western counties. He faces Democrat Anastasia Pittman and Independent Ivan Holmes in the November election.

State Auditor: Despite being massively outspent, Republican Cindy Byrd edged out Charlie Prater for a 951-vote victory. It was back and forth all night until the final 50 precincts reported their numbers. Byrd received 50.17% to Prater's 49.83%. Byrd will face Libertarian John Yeutter in the general (no Democrat filed).

Attorney General: Republican Mike Hunter squeaked through the runoff on the edge of a knife, defeating Gentner Drummond by a mere 269 votes out of 296,000 cast. At 50.05% to 49.95%, this was the closest statewide race in quite some time. He will face Democrat Mark Myles in November.

State Superintendent: Republican Joy Hofmeister beat challenger Linda Murphy 56.68% to 43.32%. She will face Democrat John Cox and Independent Larry Huff in the general.

Labor Commissioner: AFL-CIO-backed Republican Leslie Osborn pulled out a victory over Cathy Costello, 52.35% to 47.65%. She will face Democrat Fred Dorrell and Independent Brandt Dismukes in November.

Corporation Commissioner: Republican Bob Anthony emerged victorious once again, beating Brian Bingman 53.61% to 46.39%.  He will face Democrat Ashley McCray and Independent Jackie Short in the general election.

1st Congressional District: Republican Kevin Hern defeated Tim Harris 54.92% to 45.08%. Democrat Tim Gilpin beat Amanda Douglas 59.38% to 40.62%. The two will face off in November.

2nd Congressional District: Democrat Jason Nichols beat Clay Padgett 56.84% to 43.16%. He will face Republican Congressman Markwayne Mullin, Libertarian Richard Castaldo, and Independent John Foreman in the general election.

4th Congressional District: Democrat Mary Brannon defeated Fred Gipson 57.51% to 42.49%. She will face Republican Congressman Tom Cole and Independent Ruby Peters in November.

5th Congressional District: Democrat Kendra Horn crushed Tom Guild 75.8% to 24.2%. She will face Republican Congressman Steve Russell in the general election.

I'll address legislative runoffs in more detail in a later post, but of the 10 Republican incumbents who were in a runoff, six conservatives, one conservative defeated his challenger (and has no general election opponent), and all three moderates won.

If you want to dig through the election results on your own, here are the results for the entire state, and here are the results by county.

Trump calls Kevin Stitt, tweets endorsement

After clinching the Republican nomination for Governor with a 9-point victory over Mick Cornett, Kevin Stitt has now received the public endorsement of President Donald Trump.

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP ENDORSES KEVIN STITT FOR GOVERNOR OF OKLAHOMA

Tulsa, Okla. (Aug. 30, 2018) – Following a phone call from the President Donald J. Trump, Kevin Stitt, the Republican candidate for Governor of Oklahoma, welcomed today the President’s official endorsement:

Kevin Stitt ran a great winning campaign against a very tough opponent in Oklahoma. Kevin is a very successful businessman who will be a fantastic Governor. He is strong on Crime & Borders, the 2nd Amendment, & loves our Military & Vets. He has my complete and total Endorsement!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 30, 2018

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of President Trump,” said Kevin Stitt. “I am ready to work with President Trump to support our veterans, advance our military bases here in Oklahoma, and make much-needed investments in our state’s roads and bridges.”

OCPA column: Better teacher pay

Better teacher pay

by Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA)

How many teachers can be hired with a school superintendent’s compensation?

This isn’t a riddle. It’s data relevant to the school shutdowns of 2018 when educators went on strike in Oklahoma and elsewhere.

In Oklahoma City Public Schools, 4.8 teaching positions could be funded with the compensation going to the superintendent. And this doesn’t include all of the other management and middle-management positions in the district.

In Tulsa Public Schools, the one salary would pay for seven teaching positions. In Union Public Schools, it’s 5.5. Yukon is 5.2, Jenks is 5.1, and Enid is 4.9.

This according to data gleaned by Jonathan Butcher for a new Heritage Foundation white paper on public school funding (“Look to School District Budgets for Better Teacher Pay”).

His point is that state lawmakers – juggling competing interests ranging from Medicaid to corrections to highways – are not an ATM that can satisfy every demand of local school districts.

Local school districts can and should improve their own budgeting, prioritizing the spending that benefits students. There are savings to be found, and not just in the area of administrative overhead.

For example, Butcher points out that OKCPS spends $2.4 million annually to maintain 1,000 empty classrooms.

“The district reports that nearly 40 percent of elementary school seats are empty and nearly one out of four seats in middle and high schools is empty – resulting in one-third of all ‘instructional space’ going unused,” he writes.

For the price of all those empty classrooms, the district could give all its teachers raises of $1,000 a year.

State Question 801, on the ballot this fall, would give local schools even more flexibility with their own funding by removing an earmark from certain dollars that require them to go only to buildings or related expenses. Of course, school buildings are important, but local districts should be able to decide whether teacher pay or new textbooks are a greater need than new bleachers or resurfacing the parking lot.

This much-needed flexibility could help prevent some dubious spending decisions. Catoosa Public Schools, for example, switched to a four-day school week and reduced staff—while the district also (thanks to building millages) bought MacBook computers for all middle- and high-school students and approved a $1.5 million press box at the high school football field.

Bottom line: Butcher is correct. “Before rushing to raise taxes and increasing taxpayers’ burdens,” he writes, “lawmakers and voters should urge districts to use resources more efficiently for the benefit of students.”

Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

OCPA president rebukes Senator’s attacks on students who attend private schools

OCPA president rebukes Senator’s continued attacks on students who attend private schools

After State Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, called an interim study to pressure the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association to kick students who attend private school out of some athletic competitions, Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA), made the following statement:

“Sen. Sharp’s actions are misguided. Not only should state politicians stay out of these issues, but holding an interim study imposes financial costs and is yet another distraction from the real issues facing our state.

“Unfortunately, this is yet another example of Sen. Sharp’s personal vendetta against students who attend private school. During an education committee meeting in 2017, Sen. Sharp compared policies that give families choices in education to Nazi torture. He continues his attack on these students and families by trying to use his power to influence school sports.”

Lankford endorses Rep. Sean Roberts

Today, U.S. Senator James Lankford endorsed Rep. Sean Roberts in his reelection bid for House District 36.

Regarding Roberts, Lankford said, "I'm proud to endorse Sean Roberts for house district 36. Sean is a proven Christian conservative. Sean was a delegate for President Trump, endorsed by the NRA, has a 100% rating from Oklahomans For Life, and is a fighter for our conservative values. Please join me in supporting Sean Roberts for House District 36 on Tuesday."