Tidbits for Summer 2014
Nearly 2 million Oklahomans were registered to vote at the end of June, a net increase of 15,553 voters since January. The Oklahoma State Election Board reports that as of June 30, Oklahoma had 1,994,365 registered voters. Democrats remain the largest percentage of Oklahoma voters at 44.3 percent, followed by Republicans at 43.4 percent and Independents at 12.3 percent. In January, Democrats made up 44.8 percent of registered voters, followed by Republicans at 43.2 percent and Independents at 12.1 percent. Since January, Republicans have seen a net increase of 10,799 and Independents have seen a net increase of 7,070. There has been a net decrease in the number of Democrats by 2,320.
The State Election Board began recording statewide voter registration statistics by party in 1960. In that year, Democrats composed 82.0 percent of the electorate, and Republicans just 17.6 percent. Independents were only 0.4 percent. The deadline to register to vote for the Aug. 26 Runoff Primary election is Friday, Aug. 1, 2014. To view historical voter registration statistics or to download a voter registration application, visit:
http://elections.ok.gov
Speaker Hickman Selected Again
On May 5, Oklahoma House Speaker Jeff Hickman (R-Fairview) was re-elected in a closed-door Republican caucus meeting, nearly ensuring the leader a another term for the two-year legislative session that begins in January. The 72-member GOP caucus elected Hickman as "speaker-designate" over four-term state Rep. Jason Murphey (R-Guthrie). Murphey, who has 100 percent cumulative average on the Oklahoma Conservative Index wanted to provide a conservative alternative to Hickman. Murphey is the only member of the Legislature to receive a perfect 100 percent score for every year he has served in the Legislature. Rep. Hickman's average conservative rating is 59 percent and he scored 60 percent in the past session which made him eligible for the RINO (Republican In Name Only) of the Year award by the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee (OCPAC).
Following his selection by the Republcian caucus, Hickamn said, "I look forward to the upcoming months so we can prepare for a new session with new faces and ideas." The caucus will vote again for speaker in November following the general election, but that vote is usually a formality since there will only be a few new members of the caucus. The full House of Representatives will formally elect the next speaker in January, but with Republicans firmly in control of the legislative chamber, selection by the caucus is tantamount to election by the full House.
Rep. Jackson Joins Chamber Staff
The State Chamber of Oklahoma announced in July that state Rep. Mike Jackson (R-Enid) was joining its staff. Jackson will serve as Vice President of Strategic Partners. Jackson has represented House District 40, covering most of the city of Enid, since 2005. During his time in the Legislature, Jackson served as Chairman of the House Aerospace Committee and was elected by his peers as House Majority Whip and then Speaker Pro Tempore. After House Speaker T.W. Shannon stepped down from speaker post early in this year's session, Jackson ran for speaker losing to Rep. Jeff Hickman. "Mike Jackson has a proven track record of supporting the business community in the legislature and a strong connection with rural Oklahoma. We are excited to bring his expertise to the State Chamber," said Fred Morgan, president and CEO of the State Chamber, who is also a former member of the House. Jackson's role will include assisting the Government Affairs and Political Affairs staff and overseeing grassroots efforts for the State Chamber.
"Throughout my legislative career I have seen the great work that the State Chamber does to make Oklahoma a better place to do business," said Jackson. "I'm honored to be a part of the team that continues that success." Before running for office, Jackson served as a field representative for U.S. Senator James Inhofe and as Public Information Officer for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture. He holds a B.S. degree from Oklahoma State University in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources in Agricultural Communications. He did not file for reelection to his House seat this year. His average conservative rating on the Oklahoma Conservative Index is 59 percent and he scored 43 percent in the past session which made him eligible for the RINO (Republican In Name Only) of the Year award by the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee (OCPAC).
Immigration Reform Letter
On July 3, a group of current and former Republican elected officials sent a letter to the Oklahoma congressional delegation calling on Congress to pass immigration reform this year. Signatures include former Governor Frank Keating, former Speaker of the Oklahoma House Kris Steele, and former Oklahoma City mayors Ron Norick and Kirk Humphreys. Additional signatures include two incumbent Oklahoma City city councilors and seven current and former state legislators. The letter said: "As current and former Republican elected officials, we are writing to urge you to pass immigration reform this year. The current system is broken, and the United States cannot afford to wait any longer to fix it. The system is broken for the business owners who are unable to grow their businesses due to workforce shortages. These shortages affect both high-skill and low-skill industries alike. When these industries are stifled, so is job creation for all Americans. The system is broken for farmers who are producing below their capacity when they cannot meet their labor demands."
They further stated that according to the Partnership for a New American Economy (PNAE), labor shortages in the agriculture industry are causing a loss of over $3 billion in GDP and over $1 billion in farm income. They said there is broad support, including Republican voters, for fixing the broken U.S. Immigration System. They noted that the Tea Party Express, Americans for Tax Reform and PNAE released a poll showing that 71% of "Tea Party" aligned Republican primary voters believe it is important to pass reform this year. What the group failed to explain, is that most of those view immigration reform as fixing the border to deter illegal immigration, not to allow illegals to stay in the country to work as could be implied by the letter.
The current and former legislators who signed the letter all have low scores on the Oklahoma Conservative Index. The cumulative average score of each legislator is listed after their name. Current legislators include State Representatives Don Armes (56%), Lee Denney (56%), Lisa Billy (58%), and Gus Blackwell (60%). Former State Representatives include Curt Roggow (64%), Shane Jett (49%), Ron Peters (59%), and Kris Steele (63%). Most can be characterized as RINOs (Republicans In Name Only).
State Illegal Immigration Meeting
On July 17, a host of state policymakers met at the state Capitol to discuss options for addressing the Obama Administration's plan for sheltering illegal immigrant children at Fort Sill.
The meeting included members of the House of Representatives Counter Terrorism Caucus, the House States' Rights Committee chaired by state Rep. Lewis Moore (R-Arcadia), state Sen. Ralph Shortey (R-Oklahoma City), state Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow), and staff from the Governor's Office, the Attorney General's Office and the office of Congressman Jim Bridenstine. The group intends to meet again soon and will then announce details of their plan.
State Rep. John Bennett (R-Sallisaw), chairman of the Counter Terrorism Caucus, said the group convened after hearing numerous complaints from citizens and is focusing on the long-term impact the Obama Administration's plan will have on the state, particularly in the areas of crime, public health and state sovereignty. "As lawmakers, we have an obligation to do what is best for Oklahomans, not what is best for the political aspirations of President Obama," said Bennett. "Not only do these actions by the Administration threaten our state's sovereignty by forcing us to break our own laws, but they threaten our citizens' health and safety and will place a major financial burden on the people of Oklahoma who will have to pay for these illegal immigrants' healthcare, food and shelter."
Court Ruling on Religious Expression
State Rep. John Bennett (R-Sallisaw) praised the May 6 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in favor of the right of local officials to open a public meeting with prayer. "It is clear that while many people misunderstand the meaning of the phrase "separation between church and state,' the Supreme Court knows that public prayer is in keeping with our nation's history and traditions," said Bennett. "I hope that this ruling will help remind all of us that religious expression is entirely appropriate in our public as well as private lives."
In a 5-4 decision the court said that the content of the prayers is not critical as long as officials make a good-faith effort at inclusion. The ruling was consistent with the court's 1983 ruling to uphold an opening prayer in the Nebraska Legislature. Bennett said the ruling gives further support to the intent of his legislation, House Bill 2422, which would have required Oklahoma school districts to treat student expressions of faith in the same manner as any other permissible subject. The bill would also require schools to provide the same access to school facilities for religious groups as it does for other student groups and allow students to organize prayer groups. The legislation was approved by a vote of 88-0 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, but died in a Senate committee.
Catholic Benefits Association Ruling
On June 4, a federal judge in Oklahoma City granted Catholic employers that are part of the faith-based Catholic Benefits Association (CBA) a preliminary reprieve from part of the Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare. Regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement the federal healthcare law required them to cover the cost of contraceptives for employees. Organizations that do not comply when insurance policies are renewed in 2014 are subject to a daily fine.
U.S. District Court Judge David L. Russell barred the federal government from enforcing the contraceptives mandate including "any penalties, fines and assessments for non-compliance" against the Catholic organization. Rev. Paul Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City and vice president of the CBA, said the ruling was encouraging. "Judge Russell was right to recognize that the Catholic employers of the Catholic Benefits Association have a right to allow their faith to inform not just their private beliefs, but also their public actions," said Coakley. The CBA said the HHS mandate violates the protections of the Federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act which the U.S. Supreme Court has since ruled applies to private employers such as Hobby Lobby Stores.
The CBA is an association of more than 450 Catholic employers and almost 2,000 Catholic parishes that are provided healthcare coverage through the organization, with insurance plans covering more than 40,000 employees. They include Catholic dioceses and archdioceses, religious orders, local Catholic charities, colleges, nursing homes, cemeteries, retreat centers, and medical facilities. Under the HHS regulations houses of worship, such as churches, are exempt from the contraceptives mandate, but religious colleges, Catholic charities and healthcare institutions are not exempt. Catholic-owned, for-profit businesses also are not exempt and are required to cover the cost of contraceptives for employees. "Whether bishops or businessmen, Catholics cannot in good conscience provide employees with insurance that covers drugs and procedures that undermine the dignity of the human person and the sanctity of human life,"said Coakley.
Senate Vote on Hobby Lobby Ruling
On July 16, the Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate attempted to nullify the recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in its Hobby Lobby ruling. The Senate voted on S.2578, the Protect Women's Health from Corporate Interference Act sponsored by Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Mark Udall (D-Colo.). The bill failed to receive the 60 votes needed to advance in the Senate with a vote of 56 to 43. Following the vote, Sen. Jim Inhofe said, "There are many false narratives -- many being instigated by Democrat leaders -- that the Supreme Court's decision allows private companies to "deny' employees' access to contraceptives. This is blatantly false and is a distraction tactic from the Greens' primary concern with the ObamaCare mandate. The Greens believed it violated their right of conscience to be forced to fund a means to end life, which within the mandated contraceptive coverage included abortion-inducing drugs. The Supreme Court decision simply released them from this enforcement measure based on religious freedom, but the ruling did not restrict an employee's private decision to access these means. Today, Senate Democrats' bill to reverse the Supreme Court's decision on Hobby Lobby fed a distorted narrative of the ruling and served as a distraction from President Obama's health care law that is failing the American people. Senate Democrats should instead bring forward or consider one of the countless House bills that seeks to fix our health care system dismantled by ObamaCare, which has led to skyrocketing costs and loss of access to preferred doctors."
Ruling on Repeal of Common Core
On July 15, the Oklahoma Supreme Court declared House Bill 3399, which repealed the controversial Common Core Standards, is constitutional. In its brief opinion the court stated, "HB 3399 is not unconstitutional under either art. 13, §5 or art. 4, §1 of the Oklahoma Constitution." State Rep. Jason Nelson (R-Oklahoma City)co-author of House Bill 3399, responded to the ruling, "I'm grateful to Attorney General Scott Pruitt and his staff, specifically Solicitor General Patrick Wyrick and Assistant Solicitor General Cara Rodriguez, for their outstanding legal defense of this legislative action. I'm also grateful to those individuals and organizations who voluntarily offered their perspectives to the Court by filing legal briefs in defense of the law." State Sen. Josh Brecheen (R-Coalgate), Senate author of House Bill 3399,
"Solicitor General Patrick Wyrick masterfully relayed to the Court that the Board of Education, through Article 13, is given the authority to supervise instruction, emphasizing they may do so "as prescribed by law,' akin to the way a construction project manager supervises an architect's blueprints."
A group, which included members of the State Board of Education, charged that the bill repealing Common Core gave the Legislature too much power to rewrite academic standards and violated the separation of powers. The lawsuit said it was unconstitutional because HB 3399 gave the state legislature power to review and amend, or otherwise disapprove of curriculum drafted by the education board. HB 3399 directs school districts "to develop and implement curriculum, courses and instruction" in place of those required by Common Core.
What came under scrutiny in the lawsuit is Section 4 of the bill which calls for the legislature to review the new standards prior to their implementation. Without Section 4, the education board could draft any standards it wished, even copying Common Core, and the entire law would have no effect. Section 4 ensures the intent of the law is carried out.
State Sen. Anthony Sykes (R-Moore) said: "I am pleased with today's opinion in favor of House Bill 3399. The Oklahoma Constitution is abundantly clear in granting the Legislature the authority contained in HB 3399. The lawsuit brought by the plaintiffs is a textbook example of a "frivolous" lawsuit. I look forward to working further with Senator Brecheen, Representative Nelson and other like- minded conservative legislators in returning Oklahoma education to Oklahomans." SB 3399 is one of the ten bills included on the 2014 Oklahoma Conservative Index rating state legislators.
Oklahoman Editorializes in News Story
One expects a daily newspaper like the Oklahoman to take positions on its editorial page, but it appears that the editorial position of the paper often "slips" into the news stories, as well. The Oklahoman has been rabidly pro-Common Core, and its front page article (with Rick Green as the stated author) on the State Supreme Court's action to uphold the repeal of the Common Core is a prime example.
In the article, Green correctly notes that opponents of Common Core argued that "the standards for math and English instruction amounted to federal overreach." But, then Green adds this little editorial insert: "The benchmarks for children in kindergarten through 12th grade actually were developed in a state-led effort launched in 2009 through the National Governors Association." This is misleading, as the National Governors Association is NOT the states, but rather a private organization, bankrolled largely by multi-billionaire Bill Gates, the man considered most responsible for the Common Core standards. And, since the Obama Administration (which is part of the federal government, not the states) is requiring the use of Common Core standards to receive a waiver from No Child Left Behind, a federal program initiated by former President George W. Bush, it would seem that Green's remarks were more of an editorial variety, rather than straight journalism.
Sommers Leaves Education Posts
Robert Sommers, Oklahoma's Secretary of Education and Workforce Development, is resigning on August 15. He also serves as the director of the Oklahoma Department of Career Technology Education, and is leaving both positions. "I am extremely proud to have served under Governor Fallin and to have helped implement policies that I believe will strengthen schools, empower students, and ultimately make Oklahoma a better and more prosperous state," said Sommers. "Unfortunately, with my mother's passing last year my wife and I have increasing responsibilities to family that requires our return to Ohio. I wish Governor Fallin and all Oklahomans continued success as they work to raise the bar in public education, Career Tech and higher education." He has served in the post since July 2013. Sommers said one of the biggest challenges ahead will be to develop new, higher standards that will replace Common Core. Legislation was passed and signed earlier this year that replaces the Common Core standards. "Regardless of how you felt about Common Core, it is absolutely essential that Oklahoma now develops better, stronger standards here on the state level," he said.
Tax Reduction Bills Challenged
Jerry Fent, an Oklahoma City attorney who has successfully sued the state in the past, filed a lawsuit with the Oklahoma Supreme Court asking it to block as unconstitutional the new law setting the oil and natural gas production tax at 2 percent for the first 36 months of production. He alleges that the Legislature violated provisions in the Oklahoma Constitution that require revenue bills not be enacted during the last five days of the legislative session, unless they have a three-fourths vote in the House and Senate and that they not take effect until 90 days after the Legislature adjourns its session. A Supreme Court referee is to hear arguments in the case on July 29 and then issue a report to the full court. Gov. Mary Fallin signed House Bill 2562 on May 28. The new rate would not go into effect until July 1, 2015. The state historically has assessed a 7 percent tax. But in 1994, the Legislature created an incentive for horizontal drilling. The incentive initially lowered the tax rate to 1 percent for the first two years. In 2002, the incentive was extended to up to four years. The incentive program was set to expire July of next year, returning the tax rate to 7 percent.
"We feel like it was constitutional when it passed," said Chad Warmington, president of the Oklahoma Oil and Gas Association. "The bill's primary intent was not to be a revenue-raising measure. It was about dealing with an expiring incentive, not about raising revenue." While the law's 2 percent rate does not go into effect until the middle of next year, industry leaders said it is important for the tax and incentive rates to be established before companies decide how much they will spend on their upcoming drilling programs. Mike Terry, president of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association said, "A prolonged legal battle or revisiting this subject during the 2015 legislative session puts that certainty in jeopardy. With that said, because the bill does not change the permanent gross production tax rate of 7 percent, we are confident Oklahoma lawmakers who supported the oil and natural gas industry acted within the guidelines of the state constitution."
Fent filed a lawsuit over another bill passed this year. The law would make a small cut in the state income tax if state revenues meet certain targets. Again, Fent says the Legislature violated the state Constitution in the way it passed that measure. Last year, the state Supreme Court tossed out the previous attempt at a cut of state income tax based on a lawsuit filed by Fent.
Oklahoma Sierra Club Report Card
On June 12, the Oklahoma Chapter of the Sierra Club issued its 2014 Environmental Report Card for the Oklahoma Legislature. They noted: "Like no other session before, the environment was under a constant state of attack from every direction." The organization opposed several bills which attempted to place retractions on the development of wind farms, and a bill to allow utility companies to charge customers with solar and wind generators a higher rate for providing power during down periods. They opposed legislation by the Farm Bureau that would have reduced environmental regulations on farmers and ranchers. They opposed a bill allowing challenges in government school science classes that they said would undermine the teaching of climate change (global warming) as fact rather than a theory. They opposed the bill which extended tax credits (although at a reduced rate) on horizontally drilled oil and gas wells. They were also opposed budget reductions which affected the enforcement of environmental regulations.
Legislators were given letter grades in the Report Card. Ninety of the 149 legislators received F or F- grades. Most of the rest received a C or a D grade. Only twenty legislators rated above average, with a B or higher mark. Just three legislators were given a grade of A+: Rep. Emily Virgin (D-Norman), Sen. Tom Ivester (D-Sayre), and Sen. Constance Johnson (D-Oklahoma City). Receiving a plain A score were Rep. Rebecca Hamilton (D-Oklahoma City), Rep. Jeannie McDaniel (D-Tulsa), Rep. Mike Shelton (D-Oklahoma City), and Sen. Patrick Anderson (R-Enid). It is interesting to note that all of these same legislators, except for Sen. Anderson, received very low scores on the Oklahoma Conservative Index.
Vehicles for Rural Firefighters
State Rep. Mike Sanders (R-Kingfisher) praised the quick work of U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe in July to secure an agreement to allow rural fire departments to continue to access surplus military vehicles that don't meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission standards. "The pressure put on the EPA and Department of Defense by Senator Inhofe and other Oklahoma officials has resulted in an exemption being created for fire departments and law enforcement agencies so that the public safety of our communities is given priority over a policy that was intended to reduce emissions." Under the new agreement, the Department of Defense (DoD) will retain the titles to the vehicles given to fire departments and law enforcement agencies through the Federal Excess Personal Property and the Firefighter Property Program. All equipment and vehicles acquired through the program will have to be tracked and returned once they are no longer in use. In the past, fire departments sold their surplus equipment.
The new agreement is the best short-term solution, according to Inhofe. Officials will continue to work to create a better long-term solution, Sanders said. "There are potential problems with the new agreement, but officials are hoping to have them ironed out down the road," Sanders said. The stoppage decision by the US Army Tank-Automotive Command (TACOM) is based in an old agreement between the DoD and EPA aimed at reducing emissions. George Geissler, State Forester and Director, Oklahoma Forestry Services said, "The greenhouse gas emissions associated with the vehicles are marginal at best compared to emissions of an uncontrolled wildfire." Under the agreement, vehicles not meeting EPA emission standards would be destroyed instead of sold. Currently there are 8,812 vehicle and pieces of equipment, valued at over $150 million, being utilized by Oklahoma's rural fire departments.
Earthquake Meeting
About 600 central Oklahoma residents concerned about the large number of earthquakes gathered at a public meeting on June 26 in north Edmond. The meeting was sponsored by state Representatives Jason Murphy (R-Guthrie) and Lewis Moore (R-Arcadia) and featured representatives from the Oklahoma Geological Survey (OGS) and Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) said there is no way to know what has caused the increase in earthquakes in Oklahoma. But, many of those in attendance blamed the increase on the oil and natural gas industry, particularly the use of wastewater injection wells.
The first question posed during the meeting's question-and-answer session was why such activity has not been stopped by the OCC. Matt Skinner, who led the team from the commission, which regulates the petroleum industry, said current state law does not allow such action. He said the agency must have legal justification before shutting down an injection well. It was also noted that halting production of oil and natural gas would cost jobs and tax revenue to the state, something that should not be done without definitive proof. OGS seismologist Austin Holland said stopping the use of injection wells, which pump water deep underground, would also prevent the collection of data that could help determine if the wells contribute to the tremors and how to deter earthquakes.
Both legislators, along with Skinner and another representative of the OCC live in the most affected area and have a personal interest in finding out what is causing the tremors. "The search for answers is very, very real, and it's very, very personal," Skinner said. It is believed that hydraulic fracturing only contributes a small amount to the observed rate of earthquakes, but disposal wells could be a larger contributor. Recorded earthquakes in Oklahoma date back to 1882 when a 4.9 quake hit near Bennington in Bryan County. An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 hit El Reno in Canadian County in 1952. The 2011 quake near Prague in Lincoln County was 5.6. Oklahoma has a seen a major increase beginning in 2009, increasing each year with the number in the first half of 2014 already exceeding those in 2013. Rep. Murphey will chair a legislative interim study committee on the subject later this year.
House Interim Studies Approved
The 2014 Oklahoma House of Representatives interim study list is now available online at www.okhouse.gov. Studies can begin August 5th and will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through November 12th. A full list of the studies can be found at: http://www.okhouse.gov/Committees/ShowInterimStudies.aspx
Sen. Coates Charged
On July 7 an Oklahoma state senator, who was jailed May 15 on a complaint of driving while intoxicated, was formally charged with a misdemeanor in Grayson County, Texas. Sen. Harry Coates (R-Seminole) was arrested in Howe, Texas, about 40 miles south of Durant. A preliminary hearing on the charge is scheduled for September 5. Coates, 64, was pulled over on U.S. 75 about 11 P.M. the night of the arrest after a motorist reported Coates driving erratically. He showed signs of intoxication, failed a field sobriety test, and then agreed to have blood drawn at a local hospital. He was booked into the county jail and released the following day on $1,500 bail.
Coates represents Senate District 28 which covers all or parts of Lincoln, Oklahoma, Pottawatomie and Seminole counties. The Senate seat was up for election this year, but due to legislative term-limits he could not run for re-election. He has held the Senate seat since 2002 and was named RINO (Republican In Name Only) of the Year several times by the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee (OCPAC). He has a cumulative average on the Oklahoma Conservative Index of 43%, and scored only 24% this year after missing a large number of votes, many of them following his arrest. Ironically, in 2009 Coates filed a bill to stiffened penalties against those convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances. Senate Bill 1014 also was known as the Brandon Burgett Act which was named in memory of a relative of Coates.
Former Sen. Hobson Arrested
Former state Senate president Cal Hobson (D-Lexington) allegedly offered to pay a Noble police officer $50,000 to release him after being arrested on May 18. Hobson, 69, who is running for Cleveland County Commissioner, was arrested on a drunk driving complaint. Hobson registered a 0.27 blood alcohol concentration on a Breathalyzer test, which is more than three times the legal limit. He was charged May 19 in Cleveland County District Court with two felonies -- aggravated driving of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, and attempting to bribe a police officer. Prosecutors allege that Hobson also offered to make the Noble police officer the police chief if the officer would cut him a break. Officer David Gazaway refused the former legislator's offers of bribes.
Hobson, was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 1978 and to the Senate in 1990. He was elected Senate president pro tem in January 2003 and re-elected as Senate leader in January 2005. He resigned the leadership position in March 2005 -- midway through the legislative session -- at the request of fellow Democrats who controlled the Senate at that time. It was rumored that he was forced out of the post due to problems of alcoholism. He did not run for reelection in 2006. During his time in the legislature, he had a cumulative average on the Oklahoma Conservative Index of just 10%.
Lucas a Robot?
Following his loss to incumbent Third District Congressmen Frank Lucas, challenger Timothy Ray Murray who finished third in the June 24 Republican Primary Election, said he was going to contest Lucas' nomination. Murray claimed "it is widely known Rep. Frank D. Lucas is no longer alive and has been displayed by a look alike." According to Murray, "Rep. Frank Lucas, and a few other Oklahoma and other States' Congressional Members were depicted as being executed by The World Court on or about Jan. 11, 2011 in Southern Ukraine. On television they were depicted as being executed by the hanging about the neck until death on a white stage and in front of witnesses. Other now current Members of Congress have shared those facts on television also. We know that it is possible to use look alike artificial or manmade replacements, however Rep. Lucas was not eligible to serve as a Congressional Member after that time." Murray said he was a human and pledged to never use a robot to represent Oklahoma.
Murray received 5% of the vote in this year's election. He also ran for the seat in 2012 as a Democrat. He won the primary then, but lost to Lucas in the general election.
The MiddleGround
The MiddleGround is a weekly 30-minute discussion program which airs every Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. on KOKH, Fox25, in the Oklahoma City. The program is produced by Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) which is a conservative think tank. Hosted by OCPA President Michael Carnuccio, the show which began in July features a panel that is quite different from those on the national Sunday morning shows, or even those broadcast locally. It explores a better way to design government that intrudes less, taxes less, regulates less, and louses things up less. If you truly want to bring a breath of fresh air and common sense to the occasional wasteland that is Sunday morning public policy programming, please LIKE The MiddleGround on Facebook and follow @MiddleGroundTV on Twitter.
Restore LibertyOK
Former state Sen. Randy Brogdon, who finished third in the June 24 Primary Election for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Tom Coburn, has launched a new venture. In an email following the election, Brogdon told supporters: "Much of the last decade of my life I served as an elected official and was dedicated to the restoration of our founding principles. Whether in elected office or not, these principles still matter deeply to me and I suspect they do to you as well. In fact, they have defined who I am and are the driving force behind what I intend to do with the remaining years God has for me." The conservative leader said some of the most influential people responsible for directing public policy in Oklahoma are private citizens, "I plan to join the fight with them." He is starting RestoreLibertyOK which will work with grassroots leaders around the state to educate and train citizens, candidates and elected officials on the principles of liberty and how to apply those principles to public policy.
Restore LibertyOK will be a "conduit" for grassroots organizations to help get their message out on specific issues. "We will be offering "Liberty Boot Camps' where I and others will teach the Principles of Liberty from the Declaration of Independence and show how Oklahoma can lead the way in stopping the overreach Washington DC. We will also be working with others around the state to nullify unconstitutional acts forced upon us like Obamacare, EPA actions, even the unconstitutional Roe v. Wade decision by the Supreme Court." Brogdon earned a 93% Conservative Index score while serving in the state Senate. Four years ago, he gave up his seat in the Oklahoma Senate to run for governor, finishing a close second to Mary Fallin in the GOP primary. For more information go to:
http://www.restorelibertyok.com/
Tech-Savviest Legislators List
State Rep. Jason Murphey (R-Guthrie) was designated by Government Technology magazine as one of the top 13 Tech-Savviest Legislators in the United States. Earlier this year, the publication named Murphey as one of Government Technology's Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers for his dedication to technology in the public sector. Government Technology and its sister publications are an award-winning family of magazines covering information technology's role in state and local governments. Through in-depth coverage of IT case studies, emerging technologies and the implications of digital technology on the policies and management of public sector organizations, the magazine chronicles the dynamics of governing in the information age. Murphey is the former chair of the Government Modernization and Accountability Committee in the House.
J.C. Watts in Sports Hall of Fame
Former Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts will be inducted to the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame on August 4 in a ceremony and Banquet held at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. He is one of six in the 2014 class of inductees. Other inductees include rodeo champ Roy Cooper, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, and All-American footballer Leslie Claudis O'Neal. Four-time basketball All-Star Darrell Porter and Amateur Athletics Union basketballer and Olympic coach Gerald Tucker are being honored posthumously. Watts was a star quarterback on the University of Oklahoma football team prior to entering politics. Before his service in Congress, Watts was elected to a seat on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.
Death of William "Bill" Schueliein
Former state Sen. William "Bill" Schuelein (D-Miami) died in Miami, Oklahoma on June 4, 2014. He was 86. Schuelein represented District 1 in the Oklahoma Senate from 1972 to 1992. He passed away on Wednesday at his home. Born in Akron, Ohio, Schuelein lived in Miami, Oklahoma. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He owned a Mobil gas station in Miami, Oklahoma. He also served as sheriff of Ottawa County, Oklahoma from 1962 to 1972 and then in the Oklahoma State Senate.
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