Aug
27
Is the work by the OKC City Council through MAPS and relocating NBA to the area enough to ask for a pay raise?
One of several proposed changes to the Oklahoma City charter would double salaries of the mayor and council members.
Council members agreed Tuesday to put five charter changes on the Nov. 4 ballot, including raises which would take effect after the next election for council members and the mayor.Mayor Mick Cornett makes $24,000 a year from the city, while each council member is paid $12,000 a year.
The change, if approved, would pay the mayor $48,000 a year and council members $24,000 a year. The pay increases would go into effect after the next election for each office, in accordance with state law.
Read the rest of the story here.
Aug
26
In a recent story by Senior Editor James Beaty, the McAlester News-Capital interviewed Roy Bishop, OEA President, regarding the OEA ballot petition which would require the state to increase the education budget by $850 million. However, the story only advertises the OEA position. It does not provide the real facts for taxpayers.
Mr. Beaty asks the question, “Where would the money come from to place Oklahoma into the regional average?” Bishop contends there wouldn’t have to be any new taxes and it could come through normal growth.
THIS IS JUST WRONG.
The McAlester News and Bishop fail to recognize that without raising taxes, this petition becomes an unfunded mandate that will require the legislature to cut essential state services through agencies like DHS and Dept. of Public Safety, and will bankrupt our road and bridge improvement fund.
Bishop contends that this ”growth period” may take 5 years with an additional $2 billion in state revenue, yet when analyzing Oklahoma’s past budget track this is an argument that can only be validated with significant tax increases.
To paint a clearer picture, Rep. Tad Jones (R-Claremore and House Education Committee chairman) recently said that if we were to cut road funding, eliminate it completely, we would only reach half of what the OEA is requesting.
Seems the OEA is not telling the whole story and is leaning on liberal rag newspapers to publish it.
Aug
26
English only in professional sports?
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The LPGA will begin requiring their members to speak English or face suspension.
Aug
25
State to Hold Primary Runoff Elections
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Voters in several districts will go to the polls tomorrow to vote in primary runoffs. State election laws requrie a candidate to receive 50.1% of the vote in a primary.
Throughout Oklahoma there are five legislative runoffs and numerous local and county bond/spending issues that will be voted on.
Oklahoma Republicans will elect two state senators in Tuesday’s primary runoff elections in what they view as a step toward taking control of the 48-member chamber for the first time ever.
You can read the rest of the story here. Expect a small showing around 10% for tomorrow’s election. It’s sometimes shocking to realize that so few voters can influence so much policy. OFRG encourages all voters who have an election to vote tomorrow.
Aug
22
Ethic Commission staffers get pay raise
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The Oklahoma Ethics Commission recently got a much wanted budget increase this last legislative session of $150,000…not even half of what they requested. But what they did with the money is more shocking. Instead of spending it on paper of which they complained before that “they didn’t have enough money to buy the paper [they] need,” $90,000 was spent on pay raises to five of the seven staffers.
The Oklahoman Editorial board had this to say about the matter:
Republican Rep. Gus Blackwell, House speaker pro tem, called the raises “morally indefensible” given the fact a standstill budget kept state employees and teachers from receiving raises. Another GOP House member said the agency’s claims of not being able to conduct investigations and carry out its other duties ring awfully hollow in light of the raises.
We’re fans of the Ethics Commission and its work, but understand lawmakers’ complaints. If nothing else these big raises simply look bad, particularly given the commission’s very public plea for more money. The ill will generated by this continuing back-and-forth isn’t likely to abate any time soon.
Aug
22
Bad idea, good goal
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The Editorial Board of the Stillwater Newspress wrote an editorial on the OEA petition stating that it was a bad idea, even though it has a good goal.
Some educators in Oklahoma, including members of the Oklahoma Education Association, have launched an initiative petition that, if passed by voters, would mandate the state Legislature finance schools at the regional average for per-pupil expenditures.
Roughly, it would mean an additional $850 million for public schools in Oklahoma.
In a city like Stillwater where residents know the importance of education, the petition may seem like a good idea at first blush. We suggest taking a second look.
While increasing funding for education is an admirable goal, tying the hands of lawmakers who have many other needs to consider usually results in more numerous and greater problems. Requiring a certain amount of money be put toward education each year, regardless of the economy, relative need or state of other items also funded by taxes, makes it less likely that legislators will be able to handle the next emergency.
For better or worse, lawmakers are more responsive to pressure than ever before. When people screamed for “tough on crime” legislation, lawmakers across the country responded with mandatory minimum sentences. That was followed by a boom in prison construction and an explosion in prison populations. At this time, it’s difficult to call the result positive.
Educators would be better off continuing their efforts to work with legislators while convincing their patrons to lobby — rather than scream at — lawmakers for improved school funding. When a consensus develops, the funding will, too.
A comprehensive review of the OEA petition can be found at www.BallotPedia.org.
Aug
22
Sen. Tom Coburn to speak at GOP convention
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As reported by the Tulsa World, Senator Tom Coburn will be speaking at the GOP convention next month.
Although the program has not been finalized, Hart said, the senator’s remarks will likely focus on earmarks, wasteful spending and the need for real reform in Washington.
Also speaking from Oklahoma is OKC Mayor Mick Cornett.
Aug
14
Governor’s Race - 2010
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Though we are two months shy of the 2008 General Elections, folks are already gearing up for the 2010 race when Oklahomans will elect a new Governor.
Attorney Drew Edmondson is an expected Democrat candidate, and even though he has not made any official announcement, he recently announced that he has already raised $300,000 towards a potential 2010 bid for the Governor’s Mansion.
Attorney General Drew Edmondson confirmed Wednesday that he is getting closer to deciding to run for governor in 2010.
“I am leaning more and more in that direction,” said Edmondson, who has raised nearly $300,000 for a 2010 re-election bid.
Drew Edmondson opposed the State Legislature referendum this past session to term limit state wide officials to two terms, such as Lt. Governor, Attorney General, State Auditor, etc.
Edmondson was quoted then saying,
…a bill moving through the legislature could ban him from seeking re-election.
The only offices currently termed limited are the Governor’s (two consecutive terms) and State Legislators (12 years total for both chambers). Gov. Henry is term limited in 2010.
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