|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
Examiner.com:
Here’s an AP story on the latest developments surrounding the controversial Magna Corporation bankruptcy fire sale, which basically tells us nothing.
Despite the financial furor and allegations of fraud that have erupted nationally, and whispers of unusual developments surrounding the bankruptcy auction of the Oklahoma City Magna property, Oklahoma press stays silent. Read more…
By Rep. Jason Murphey
Legislators should certainly have the ability to expend funds in order to secure the proper support for the responsibilities of the Legislature such as hiring staff etc. They should not however be able to direct appropriated funds once those funds have been appropriated to the various agencies.
Oklahoma legislators have historically been experts at getting around these restrictions. They have found ways to “pass-through” money to certain entities where it is subsequently directed to the recipients of the legislators’ choice. This allows for the possibility of corruption. In a recent federal criminal case, it has been demonstrated how legislators have used this system for their own direct financial benefit.
Unfortunately, this system of inappropriate pass-thoroughs is still alive and well. However, the recent effort of some courageous local officials could send a strong message to the Legislature and win a big victory for the taxpayers. Read more…
Hello again, everyone! Last week, I wrote that no one is talking about a special session to adjust the state budget in light of the revenue shortfalls.
This week, almost everyone is talking about whether lawmakers should return to the Capitol. Initially, it looked as though the governor would call the Legislature into special session beginning on Monday, August 31. Within a few hours, however, it began to appear that a slower “wait-and-see” approach would prevail.
Finally, the governor announced the question of “if” we return for special session would be answered after the tax revenue numbers for next month are known. Should we have another shortfall – a situation in which the state collects less than what is necessary to meet the conservative budget approved in May – a special session in September is very likely. Read more…
Email This Post
Seriously, it just makes you wonder why the Oklahoma media market continues to play to the stereotype as the worst in the nation.
Last week, we were the first in Oklahoma to tell about this story about hi-jinks in the Magna bankruptcy, and Oklahoma press outlets, and even blogs, remained quiet as a church mouse. Today this bombshell is rocking the racing industry and not one single mention by any media outlet. We kid you not.
Boo! Okay, Oklahoma press, didn’t mean to scare you, but the discussion about fraud is focused on Magna, NOT Remington Park, so you CAN investigate without worrying about your ad revenues from the Chickasaw tribe.
Meanwhile, whispers remain that something smelly happened in the bidding process with the sale of Magna properties in Oklahoma and Texas, but we’re betting not one phone call has been made to the creditor group who is suing Magna alleging fraud in the bankruptcy proceedings.
So for any journalist or reporter with enough drive to make a call, we’ll help you out…Read more
Magna Entertainment Corporation (MEC), the Canadian company that owns Oklahoma City’s Remington Park race track was stunned today by a Las Vegas bankruptcy judge’s ruling, who ordered that a bombshell lawsuit by MEC’s creditors may proceed.
The ruling likely guarantees a financial press/media feeding frenzy, as the nation’s top money reporters, smelling scandal, jump headfirst into this developing story. And don’t be surprised if a critical review of the whole bankruptcy process and the sale of properties is undertaken, since whispers of irregularities surrounding the sale of racetracks have been circulating. Read more…
We’ve heard it. If you are a political junkie in Oklahoma you’ve most likely heard it, and there is no doubt that the folks in the media rooms out at 23rd and Lincoln have heard it.
‘It’ is the story of one of Oklahoma’s most influential elected officials being caught in an illicit affair with a top staff member by the elected official’s spouse. We’re also hearing that the subsequent staff member may have retained legal counsel in an effort to protect their job. Sources tell us that the charge of sexual harassment is being considered by the high level staffer if they are terminated.
If true, the situation is very dangerous and fraught with peril for the politician, the staff member AND the taxpayers. It would be far more than a ‘private’ matter for the official, as so many philandering politicians so self-righteously like to state when caught red-handed. In this situation, the politician is known as an ambitious sort who craves power and higher office. But the circumstances of this internal sex-scandal at a major state agency suggest the resolution could involve the operations of the agency and state tax dollars. The public has every right to know if a philandering dirt-bag is buying off their trouble with a big fat settlement or job in another agency. The whole situation has the stench of corruption attached. The only antiseptic is pulling back the shroud and letting the public know if this elected official’s business is legitimate, or more of the monkey variety.
The public has a right to know, and the folks on the 4th floor have an obligation to ask. We’ve mocked the Oklahoma press corps for their often indolent and lazy attitude toward news that matters, and their evident indifference to scandal, but there’s smoke here. We’ve done our job. Let’s see if the press can figure out how to do theirs. Here’s a hint for the press. The elected official will be announcing soon that they are not running for re-election.
From: Ken Miller
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 9:49 AM
To: Republican Legislators
Subject:
Members,
After much thought and positive conversations with Kris over the weekend, I have decided to not seek the position of speaker-designate and support Kris in his efforts to become the next Speaker of the House. Later today, he and I will be releasing a joint statement on our shared goal of moving our state and caucus forward. I am honored to have been a part of the conversation concerning future House leadership and appreciative of the encouragement I received. I look forward to working closely with Kris and each of you to advance our state and majority.
Warm regards,
Ken
Related:
Examiner.com: Kris Steele: The Next Oklahoma House Speaker?
From Examiner.com:
Speaker Pro Tem Kris Steele
As Republicans struggle all over America to reclaim their identity, Oklahoma House Republicans face a tough decision this fall as they face an election for the next Speaker of the House.
The Republican’s rules state that an election must be held between the middle of October and November 15th, and two members are the leading candidates: Speaker Pro Tem Kris Steele of Shawnee and Appropriations Chairman Ken Miller of Edmond.
Steele, an associate pastor at a Shawnee Methodist church, is the early favorite over Miller. But conservative Republicans outside the house GOP caucus are wary of Steel’s liberal tendencies, and the liberal-leaning and indolent Oklahoma press has done nothing to expose those flaws.
“Republicans in Oklahoma aren’t going to know a damn thing about this race, and the ‘aw-shucks’ liberal ab out to become Speaker,” one political insider, an avowed Steele critic, says about the election.
Many observers around the Capitol for the last decade have expressed amusement to OKPNS over reports that Rep. Steele may rise to the highest position in the House and recalled details of his interesting political career. Read more…
 |
