Group to remain vigilant in opposing failed TABOR idea Oklahomans for Responsible Government, the ballot campaign representing over 70 prominent Oklahoma business, social and community groups, strongly praised today’s Supreme Court order rejecting State Question 726, the so-called Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, or TABOR. “This is an important victory for Oklahoma democracy,” said Kell Kelly, CEO of SpiritBank and spokesperson for the Oklahomans for Responsible Government committee. “The SQ 726 petition drive was conducted by out of state operatives that engaged in fraudulent and deceptive signature-gathering processes that threatened to make a mockery of our laws.” Kelly was among the two-dozen business and civic leaders that filed a lawsuit challenging SQ 726 that the court upheld today. Oklahomans for Responsible Government vowed to remain vigilant in opposing in what the group calls the "flawed and dangerous ideas behind the TABOR proposal." The organization’s chairs, Ike Glass [CEO of Glass Trucking and Chairman of The State Chamber], Steve Turnbo [Chair of Schnake Turnbo Frank, Inc and Chair of the Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce], and Kirk Humphreys [CEO of Humphreys Real Estate Investments, LLC and Board of Directors Member for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce], stated: “We want to send a clear message that TABOR is not a solution for Oklahoma. TABOR has already been tried in Colorado and it took them may years and millions of dollars to undo the damage.” They continued, “as Oklahomans, we are fully able to develop our own fiscally responsible ideas that will allow for adequate support for vital public services. We do not to recycle a failed bill of goods passing itself off as a bill of rights.” Coalition members of the organization were encouraged by today’s Supreme Court decision, and expressed their "resolve to oppose future attempts that would seek to impose this failed policy in Oklahoma." Posted at 8/31/2006 03:53:00 PM |   

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Supreme Court Thursday threw out the proposed "taxpayer bill of rights" petition to reduce growth in government spending. The court ruled the petition lacked sufficient valid signatures to send it to the ballot. The proposal was aimed at limiting increases in state government spending to the growth of inflation and population. The order indicated the justices agreed with a referee's report that tens of thousands of signatures were gathered illegally by out-of-state circulators. State Senator Randy Brogdon said the court opinion disenfranchises 300,000 people who signed the petition. He says backers will continue to work to get it on the ballot, even if it means they must collect new signatures. Posted at 8/31/2006 01:16:00 PM |   

One of the age old arguments in journalism is the perception of bias in the reporting of events and of public figures. Similar to two people viewing an auto accident and giving entirely different accounts of the same event, you can have two folks of different political persuasions read or watch a particular news story and nine times out of ten they'll disagree on its alleged slant. We are all human and have our distinct preferences and dislikes, and most of us can appreciate that. The problems arise when the media puts on the facade of neutrality when its obvious they have an agenda. The immense popularity of the "right wing media" and the "blogosphere" is due simply to the fact that they don't attempt to hide they lean towards a certain perspective. You know what your going to get and your free to accept or reject it. The Tulsa World and the Daily Oklahoman are no exceptions to the charge of bias in their reporting. Since proving bias is often a subjective exercise, poignant examples of alleged bias should be presented to readers so they can decide for themselves. This is what we'll attempt in this article. Our fellow blogger Michael Bates at batesline.com has exhaustively chronicled The Tulsa World's alleged bias and their unconstitutional attempts to silence him. Below is an excerpt from an August 17th blog post regarding alleged bias in reporting a joint townhall meeting Senator Coburn had with Rep. Dan Boren: Tom Coburn, passed along correspondence concerning several attempts by Coburn's office to correct errors appearing in the Tulsa Whirled. I was shocked that your paper reported that I had "barred (my) office from answering questions on the meeting" I am holding jointly with U.S. Representative Dan Boren when I have no such blanket policy of not discussing this meeting and when no such policy had been communicated to your paper from my office. Your paper also reported that my office had not weighed in with FEMA on behalf of Oklahoma when our state was ravaged by wildfires when we had, in fact, weighed in with FEMA officials. No one should have to remind any newspaper that manufacturing facts and indirect quotations is highly unethical and unprofessional and a serious offense to subscribers and readers. No provision in our Constitution grants news organizations the right to invent facts or quotations. Bates along with Chris Medlock of Medblogged have both received cease and desist orders from the paper to immediately stop "infringing" on the World's copyright by "reproducing articles in whole or in part and by linking to World's articles without authorization." The Oklahoma Political News Service received a cease and desist email from the Daily Oklahoman at the beginning of this venture in June. Admittedly, we did reproduce some of their articles in whole and in part, only because other Oklahoma bloggers were doing the exact same thing. In fact, still are. We wonder why they haven't received cease and desist orders as well? In the January/February 1999 Columbia Journalism Review, The Daily Oklahoman was cited as one of the worst papers in the nation. Below is an excerpt of part of the reason they came to that conclusion: Former staffers say it wasn't long ago that the complexion of the front page, not just the newsroom, was influenced by race. "When I was on the city desk in the late seventies," says former city editor Splaingard, "the rule was you didn't run pictures of blacks on the front page." And while everyone says the "rule" is long dead, it's not always easy to tell. In two months selected at random, January and August 1998, the paper ran 187 front-page photos, featuring nearly 200 individuals. Only ten photos had blacks identified in the cutline, and only four of those actually accompanied stories featuring blacks. Even more recently, says former Oklahoman reporter Charolette Aiken, "the Oklahoman put black faces on the front only if they were athletes, a black Republican, or a bad guy." Observer editor Troy once wrote of the paper's plantation mentality: "The paper has been quietly and effectively racist in all its long history." Gaylord refused requests from cjr for an interview, but in a brief phone conversation from his home the publisher reacted testily when asked if putting blacks on the front page ever displeased him: "Oh, come on, you're crazy," he drawled. "Quit bothering me. Go on home." Then he hung up." For those of you not aware, the editor of the Oklahoma Political News Service is an African American. Maybe it's just a coincidence. We'll let you decide. Posted at 8/31/2006 07:00:00 AM |   

By MIRANDA GILBERT Staff Writer What matters to local voters most in regards to choosing who should be the next Oklahoma Governor? U.S. Congressman Ernest Istook (R), gubernatorial candidate running against Democratic incumbant Gov. Brad Henry, will be visitng the Guymon Daily Herald on Friday to discuss such conservative issues as taxes, spending, and the economy, life, family and culture, illegal immigration, guns and education and home schooling. In our effort to report what matters most to locals, we are excepting questions for Istook's interview until Thursday at 5 p.m. Questions may be dropped off in the office or by submitted by email to editor@guymondailyherald.com with the subject line of “questions for Istook.” Interview questions and answers will be printed in this weekend's edition of the Guymon Daily Herald. Posted at 8/31/2006 06:30:00 AM |   

The Norman Transcript By Althea Peterson Even for incumbents, two Republican representatives encouraged students not to take elections for granted. U.S. Congressman Tom Cole, R-Moore, and Oklahoma state Rep. Thad Balkman, R-Norman, spoke to the University of Oklahoma College Republicans Wednesday at Oklahoma Memorial Union. Both representatives said state and federal elections will be very competitive. Cole said at a federal and a local level, the sixth year of an eight-year election cycle is one of the most difficult election years. “When any party is in the White House, it is a tough year of politics,” Cole said. “There are no safe seats and there are no safe elections. It’s like prevent defense in football — it’s a bad idea. We intend to campaign very hard.” Cole said the key to winning elections is not about spending the most money on advertisements. “The most important thing you can do is to go door to door and encourage people, especially Republicans, to vote,” Cole said. “You can have all the TV ads and mailings in the world, but you cannot replace personal contact at the door.” Cole said there is a good chance Republicans can maintain majorities at a federal level, as well as in the state House. However, he said there is also a chance that the majorities could change. “I like campaigning when there is a lot on the line. In my opinion, this is one of those elections,” Cole said. “These are the elections that make the difference. I think the Democrats have a chance of taking the House and the Senate.” Balkman said it is important for voters to educate themselves, because the issues decided at the Capitol directly affect them. He cited Governor Brad Henry’s recent veto of a bill that would allow legislators to control college tuition rates as an example. “That shows you how important it is who represents you,” Balkman said. “That would have been a great tool to keep (tuition) low. “The state Senate is still in the hands of liberal Democrats. We have a good opportunity to take it back.” Cole will face Democratic challenger Hal Spake of Norman, while Balkman will face Democrat Wallace Collins, who is also from Norman, in the Nov. 7 general election. The OU College Republicans will host lieutenant governor candidate Todd Hiett of Kellyville and Republican state Senate District 16 candidate Ron Davis of Purcell in two weeks. Posted at 8/31/2006 06:15:00 AM |   

The Norman Transcript By M. Scott Carter Democrats will turn back a GOP drive to take control of the state Senate this fall, the Senate’s former leader predicted this week. Lexington Senator Cal Hobson — who served as Senate president pro tempore from 2002 to 2005 — said Republican efforts to take control the Oklahoma Senate for the first time since statehood will not only fail, but also cost the GOP a seat in the effort. “We’re going to hold all our seats and even pick up an additional one,” Hobson said Wednesday. “We’ve got a good chance to get rid of Randy Brogdon. We came within two percentage points last time. This cycle, I believe we’ll do it.” Hobson said Brogdon, of Owasso, was politically weak because he was “more interested in the TABOR initiative” than in serving his district. “And that could be his undoing.” With their slim, 26-22 margin, Senate Democrats have been on the defensive all year. But Hobson said GOP Senator Nancy Riley’s late summer switch lifted spirits and changed the face of the election. “Picking up Senator Riley’s seat was huge. It was an incredible boost to morale, and a major PR victory.” However, before Democrats can plan victory celebrations, they must hold several key seats, including:" Read more... Posted at 8/31/2006 06:03:00 AM |   

Serve me or serve the devil. Yeah, right. I have been checking out some of the Republican blogs of late and I am absolutely amazed at the garbage being strewn about. There is this undergirding of hatred for Brad Henry so deep that supporters of Ernest Istook are going so far as to leave the impression that if you have policy differences, any concerns whatsoever with Istook, you are "aiding Henry." I posed the question, "So, if you don't forsake all and follow him, you're aiding Henry?" I admit that it is a trick question because the premise of the question is ridiculous on its face. And the theological symbology isn't an accident either. We have seen this strategy rear its ugly head before, and it is the same type of rhetoric that has ensured a defeat for other political candidates. It is not a coincidence that this tactic is being used again - the players are the same. Let me roll up my sleeves here for a moment and tell it like it is: The Istook campaign is not helping Istook by any stretch of the imagination. His people need a great big dose of STFU, and Istook needs to take charge over there. I consider myself to be a fan of Istook, a friend if you will, and to date, he has listened to no one but those who are steering him down the wrong path. Read more... Posted at 8/30/2006 02:25:00 PM |   

Governor Henry's "on the move" rv tour has hit another pot hole. Commenting to reporters on why he's embarking on this trip, Governor Henry replied: "Oklahoma is on the move, and I want to tell people how we can build on our accomplishments and meet the challenges of the future." We reported Tuesday the dismal turnout for the first stop of the tour. The turnout was so abysmal that campaign workers resorted to handing out Henry t-shirts to "working" construction crews. According to the Community Action Project, the average Oklahoman's economic fortunes are also "on the move" but not in the direction the governor would like. OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A Tulsa-based anti-poverty agency says the average Oklahoman is being left out of the current economic boom and the state's poverty rate is rising. The Community Action Project says it's conclusion is based on an analysis of U-S Census Bureau data. A Census Bureau survey released today shows the median household income of Oklahomans fell to 39-thousand-292 dollars during 2004 and 2005. That's down from 39-thousand-519 dollars for the two previous years. The survey also found the poverty rate in Oklahoma increased from eleven-point-eight percent in 2003-2004 to 13-point-two percent in '04 and '05. David Blatt of the Community Action Project says the numbers show the average Oklahoma household and those at the bottom are being left out of the state's overall economic growth. *The McCarville Report Online posts today on Henry's small crowds. Posted at 8/30/2006 10:58:00 AM |   

OKPNS wonders if Governor Henry's advance team is handing out rose colored glasses and purple Kool-Aid with those t-shirts? From okbluenotes.com: Henry Big Hit In Norman Governor Brad Henry's RV tour of Oklahoma started in Norman today and a crowd of almost 100 excited voters was on hand to welcome him and First Lady Kim Henry. My job was simply to get everyone's attention, and then introduce the man who will lead our ticket to victory in November! After some great remarks, a pizza lunch was served, and the First Couple spent thirty minutes talking with college students and Norman residents. If one theme was present in the Governor's remarks, it was how much he will miss the presence of Cal Hobson next session at the legislature...it was good to see my former law partner, Col. Bill J. English, in the crowd, and to talk to Senate 16 nominee John Sparks. Posted at 8/30/2006 10:45:00 AM |   

By Marie Price The Journal Record OKLAHOMA CITY – The number of Oklahomans living in poverty rose over the last two years while state median income fell slightly, according to an anti-poverty organization’s analysis of data released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau. David Blatt, public policy director for the Tulsa Community Action Project, said that overall Oklahoma is experiencing a general period of prosperity. “These numbers should sound the alarm that we are experiencing a very uneven recovery, where the average household, as well as those at the bottom of the economic ladder, are being left out of the state’s overall economic growth,” Blatt said. “It has not spread itself to the lower rung of the economy.” According to the census bureau’s Current Population Survey, the state’s median household income dropped a bit, from a two-year average of $39,519 in 2003-2004 to $39,292 for 2004-2005. The data show a slight increase over the previous 12 months for both Oklahoma men and women, however, with women earning about 74.8 percent as much as men, an increase of 1.5 percent. This was during a period when overall state personal income rose 6 percent, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The state’s unemployment rate is fairly low, Blatt said, but wages have not risen appreciably. He said most of the recovery has been concentrated at the top level of the income spectrum. The number of families living below the poverty level increased from 11.8 percent to 13.2 percent for the same two-year period. For 2005 alone, the figures show 16.5 percent of Oklahomans living in poverty, an increase of 0.5 percent for the 12 months. “A growing number of people have failed to make it to the poverty line,” Blatt said. CAP said this represents about 50,000 additional Oklahomans living below the poverty line. In 2005, the federal poverty line was just below $20,000 for a family of four. These are the same families wrestling with higher costs for fuel, heating, health care, housing and education, he added. “We hope this evidence of Oklahoma’s uneven recovery will encourage policymakers to use available revenues to pursue an active agenda that focuses on bolstering assistance and expanding opportunities for low- and moderate-income families,” Blatt said. Census data also show that the number of Oklahomans without health insurance dropped by 1 percentage point during the most recent two-year period, down to 19 percent. The national rate is 15.7 percent. Blatt said the slight dip is encouraging. At the same time, Oklahoma ranked fourth highest among the states for the number of uninsured. States ranking higher were Florida, New Mexico and Texas, which has an uninsured rate close to 25 percent according to the census figures. “Being without health insurance leaves families one medical emergency away from falling into poverty,” Blatt said. “Even with this slight improvement in the numbers of uninsured, it’s obvious that there is an ongoing health insurance crisis in this state that requires the continued attention of policymakers, employers and health care providers. Posted at 8/30/2006 10:30:00 AM |   

This was recently sent to us from the tipline. We assume its from a politically active teacher, who without a doubt, couldn't wait for the new school year to begin. (Click images to enlarge) Posted at 8/30/2006 10:09:00 AM |   

By Cindy Allen Managing Editor Lance Cargill’s main priority until the next legislative session is keeping a Republican majority in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Cargill was elected House speaker-designate by his colleagues in the House of Representatives last year, and if predictions hold that Republicans will maintain their majority, he will replace Todd Hiett in the 2007 Legislature. Cargill, from Harrah, represents District 96, which is mostly rural area but also part of Edmond. Read more... Posted at 8/29/2006 04:32:00 PM |   

From The McCarville Report Online State Senator Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, says today that claims by Governor Brad Henry, Democrat seeking reelection, that he replenished the Rainy Day Fund and improved the state budget don't match the facts. Brogdon said, "overspending by Brad Henry sent the state spiraling downward" in years past. He said the Rainy Day Fund ran dry "because big spending politicians like then-Senator Henry spent hundreds of millions" and thus, set the state up for budgetary problems. Henry's first television commercial of the general election campaign is based on his claims that he met the financial crisis the state faced in his first year in office and that he presented a balanced budget and filled the once-depleted Rainy Day Fund. Full text of press release from Sen. Brogdon's office: NEWS RELEASE For immediate release – August 29, 2006 SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: “Brad Henry’s Spending Spree Drained the Rainy Day Fund” Oklahoma City– State Senator Randy Brogdon says over-spending led by Brad Henry sent our state spiraling downward during what Henry now describes as the “biggest budget crisis in our state’s history”. “Governor Henry points out that when he first took office as governor, the ‘Rainy Day Fund’ ran dry during our most recent budget crisis,” Brogdon noted. “But he doesn’t point out that the fund ran dry because big spending politicians like then-Senator Henry spent hundreds of millions of dollars from the fund when revenue was strong in the late 1990s and no emergency existed.” Brogdon, R-Owasso, continued, “When our state faced what the Governor calls the ‘greatest budget crisis in our young state’s history’ it was because he and other big spenders could not keep their hands out of the cookie jar. They spent every dime they could grab.” Brogdon said it is unbelievable that Governor Henry now wants to expand the reserve fund so there will be even more taxpayer dollars at risk. Last year he even suggested spending $30 million from the Rainy Day Fund to celebrate the state’s centennial birthday. In contrast, Brogdon says a constitutional amendment to limit spending and create a new emergency fund with stronger controls on how and when the money is spent is needed to keep the legislature and the governor from over-spending. “Increasing the rainy day fund as proposed by some will only give the politicians more taxpayer’s dollars to spend on their wish list. History has proved that robbing the rainy day fund causes deeper budget cuts in an economic downturn,” he said. The Owasso Senator says that a constitutional amendment creating an emergency fund would ensure better spending practices by the legislature. Brogdon characterized the current setup of state emergency reserve funds as little more than a slush fund, used to top off big state spending sprees. “We currently allow the governor and the legislature to spend a percentage of the Rainy Day Fund at anytime, for any reason. That is bad government and it has to stop,” said Brogdon. “The better choice for Oklahoma is for the legislature and the governor to stop over-spending, and to provide for a secure, constitutional emergency fund that will benefit taxpayers, not pork barrel spenders,” said Brogdon. According to Brogdon, a proposed new constitutional emergency fund will provide safeguards for taxpayers so that money designated for emergencies will only be used in emergency situations. Additionally, this will stop other wasteful spending and ensure fiscal responsibility. Brogdon contends that eliminating the Rainy Day Fund and replacing it with a true emergency fund will stabilize the budget, put an end to massive budget cuts due to revenue shortfalls, and ensure Oklahoma will be able to meet its obligations to its citizens for future generations. Posted at 8/29/2006 01:22:00 PM |   

Despite all the hype, Brad Henry's re-election campaign began yesterday with barely a whimper. Belying widespread rumors of disatisfaction among Democratic activists camps, today's low turnout seems to reflect the general belief that Governor Brad Henry does not inspire much goodwill or intensity among the public. Only a few volunteers actually turned up for his RV kickoff today. In desperation, Henry's staff had to resort to asking nearby construction workers to wear t-shirts. Posted at 8/29/2006 11:59:00 AM |   

Mary Fallin, a Tecumseh product who made history 12 years ago by becoming the first woman and the first Republican elected lieutenant governor in Oklahoma, is one more election night away from becoming the state's second congresswoman. As the GOP nominee, the three-term lieutenant governor will go into the November election as the favorite. Republicans took over the Oklahoma City area congressional seat when Mickey Edwards won the 1976 election and have held it ever since under Edwards and Ernest Istook. Istook is now the GOP nominee for governor against Democrat Brad Henry of Shawnee. Read more... Posted at 8/29/2006 11:35:00 AM |   

By Walter Jenny Jr., an Edmond resident, is secretary of the Oklahoma Democratic Party and chairman of the Edmond Democrats. From The Edmond Sun: Fallin needs a strong fourth quarter to keep 5th district Last Tuesday saw the selection of the final candidates for lieutenant governor for both the Democrats and Republicans. The only other major race on the ballot was the Republican shootout for the 5th District Congressional nomination between Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin and Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett. Fallin won the congressional runoff 26,744 to 15,665, picking up 63 percent of the vote. She led in the primary with 16,691 votes to Cornett’s 11,718, a 10 percentage-point spread. But in a field of six candidates dividing 48,287 votes, she failed to pick up the majority necessary to win the primary outright, forcing her into an expensive runoff. If that seems like too many numbers to digest, that’s unfortunate, because politics is a game of numbers. Rule No. 1 in politics is you have to get more votes than your opponent. Denise Bode spent $1 million in the primary and came in a distant third with less than 10,000 votes. All the money in the world can’t buy you love, and everybody seems to love Mary Fallin. Fallin has served in the lieutenant governor’s post since 1994, and was in the Legislature for four years before that. She is now the second-longest serving lieutenant governor in the United States. But the numbers in this 5th District race will be interesting. Democrats outnumber Republicans 170,601 to 161,446 in the district, which includes Seminole, Pottawatomie and most of Oklahoma County. There are 46,509 Independents in the district meaning neither party has a clear majority. In a state where more folks registered as Democrats than Republicans in the past year, this congressional seat will be up for grabs. That’s a change from previous years. When Ernest Istook won the runoff against Bill Price in 1992 after incumbent Mickey Edwards came in third in the primary, Istook came within 100 votes of the exact same figure Mary Fallin received. But only 47,338 votes were cast in the runoff, compared to 42,409 in last week’s runoff. Compare that to the Democratic primary between Edmond’s Dr. David Hunter and Oklahoma City teacher Bert Smith. Voters cast 39,015 ballots in a lukewarm campaign in which the candidates spent only a fraction of what the Republicans spent. Hunter picked up 24,660 votes, far more than Mary Fallin’s 16,691 in the primary and almost as many as Fallin received in her hotly contested runoff. Read more... Posted at 8/29/2006 10:51:00 AM |   

By Marie Price The Journal Record OKLAHOMA CITY – They may not exactly prove the “six degrees of separation” hypothesis, but David Boren, Ernest Istook and Brad Henry have more in common than just owing key political wins in their lives to Oklahoma’s runoff election system – and wanting to be governor. The “six degrees” concept was first posited in 1929 by Karinthy Frigyes, a Hungarian writer. The idea is that anyone can be connected to any other person through a chain of acquaintances, with only five linking individuals. At each level, supposedly, the number of acquaintances grows exponentially, until at the top, the “circle of friends” includes everyone on Earth. In 1974, David Boren came in second to U.S. Rep. Clem McSpadden in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, with scandal-beleaguered Gov. David Hall coming in third. In 1992, state Rep. Ernest Istook took second in a congressional primary against incumbent U.S. Rep. Mickey Edwards with Bill Price finishing first. In 2002, Henry garnered 28.5 percent of the vote to Vince Orza’s 44 percent at the Democratic gubernatorial primary. All three went on to win runoffs and their respective general elections. However, way back in October 1977, then-governor Boren tapped Istook, who passed the bar exam that April, to direct the old Alcoholic Beverage Laws Control Board. Board members agreed to Boren’s recommendation. The state Senate had a different idea, and never confirmed Istook’s appointment. At the time, some said the appointment was rejected over a probe by Istook of the liquor industry. Others said opposition centered on Istook’s non-drinking Mormon background. In April 1978, Istook joined Boren’s staff as a legal assistant, where Istook investigated allegations of misuse of Comprehensive Employment and Training Act federal funds. Shortly thereafter, he returned to the private practice of law with a firm that included one-time Boren attorney Robert Mitchell. The ABC Board is now the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission. A few years later, Istook ran successfully for the state House, serving from 1986 to 1992, when he came from behind to take the 5th Congressional District seat. As Istook was moving on up and leaving the Legislature, Henry was moving into it. Henry was first elected to the state Senate in 1992, where he served until his primary second-place finish in the 2002 governor’s race turned into a general election win. Now president of the University of Oklahoma and a former U.S. senator, Boren started his political life as a state representative from Seminole, about 21 miles down the road from Shawnee, Brad Henry’s hometown. Boren was also a professor at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee. Henry’s cousin, 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Robert Henry, is also a former state representative and attorney general. Brad Henry’s father, Charles, was a judge and state representative. Boren’s father, Lyle, was a congressman from Oklahoma. His son, Dan, is finishing up his first term in Congress, having also served in the state House. Posted at 8/29/2006 10:18:00 AM |   

District 2 Tulsa County Commissioner Randi Miller From: Pimp This Town Vote Paul Tay "My goodness, Randi, isn't the chicken sh*t in Tulsa's water system enough? Ya really don't need to go looking for more poopy water." Posted at 8/29/2006 08:43:00 AM |   

DURANT, Okla. (AP) Southeastern Oklahoma State University has a new fight song. A classical music composer from Dallas is the winner of a one-thousand dollar prize for writing the music and lyrics of the new song. The new fight song was needed to go with the university's new logo and new nickname _ the Savage Storm. It was written by Jeff Lankov and was chosen by university President Glen Johnson after Johnson listened to the university band play the three finalists. Southeastern changed its nickname earlier this year from the Savages to the Savage Storm because of a new N-C-A-A rule against mascots and nicknames considered hostile to American Indians and other ethnic groups. Posted at 8/29/2006 06:03:00 AM |   

Oklahoma Political News Service has learned that both the state House and Senate GOP leadership have split from Oklahoma Republican Party and Chairman Tom Daxon over stalemates over “Victory 2006” efforts. The legislative efforts to turn out the Republican vote will be separate from state party efforts (dubbed “Victory 2006”) in an unprecedented move, according to sources who spoke with OKPNS on the condition of anonymity. “We are nearly two months out from Election Day and Daxon is like a deer in the headlights,” said a source familiar with the situation. “Effectively, Republican legislative leaders are setting up their own party through Oklahoma County GOP. They’ll do it on their own and they’ll get the job done.” Despite what appear to be setbacks, an insider familiar with the split with Daxon described the election outlook as very optimistic. “House leaders are confident in their majority, and in the Senate the sense is that a Republican majority is truly within reach if the state party doesn’t become a road block. As a result, they’ve switched to a different road.” OKPNS will continue to monitor this situation and bring you updates as this story develops. Posted at 8/28/2006 07:00:00 PM |   

The Senate has yet to vote on the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (S. 2590), introduced by Senators Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.). The "Google government" bill, as Sen. Coburn calls it, requires the Office of Management and Budget to run a single public website listing the names and locations of all individuals and groups receiving federal grants and contracts. Such a database would be an invaluable resource for watchdog groups, the media, and bloggers to expose wasteful spending, conflicts of interest, and other shenanigans. The bill has 29 co-sponsors and has been endorsed by groups from across the political spectrum. Posted at 8/28/2006 06:25:00 PM |   

From the Sapulapa Daily Herald Troy was the first of several speakers who made a point to single out Hiett, and President George W. Bush and his administration also did not escape the critics at the fundraiser held at Freddie’s Steak House and Barbecue Saturday evening. The feisty political reporter said Hiett, who has served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives the past two years, took the credit for getting the teachers the $2,500 pay raise. Posted at 8/28/2006 06:17:00 PM |   

Too bad they're aren't any college football games on the 17 city tour. I'm sure the Governor would have rather used the state airplane. OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Governor Brad Henry leaves Oklahoma City today to begin a four-day campaign trip through southern and eastern Oklahoma using a recreational vehicle. The R-V campaign swing is similar to two campaign trips Henry made in 2002 when he won the governor's race. The current tour lists 17 cities as campaign stops. A second R-V tour of western Oklahoma is planned for later in the campaign. Henry faces Republican Congressman Ernest Istook in his re-election bid. Posted at 8/28/2006 10:57:00 AM |   

A group calling itself "Citizens for Campaign Integrity" have taken out an ad in the Norman Transcript, decrying the final days campaign tactics of John Sparks. Sparks won a contentious battle with his Democratic opponent Tim Emrich. You can view one of Spark's mailings here. With the headline declaring "We protest the politics of personal destruction", the group accuses Sparks of being responsible for "one of the dirtiest local campaigns in recent memory." They cite examples of push polling in order to "enhance whisper campaigns against Emrich." They warn that these "Karl Rove-style tactics", may cost him votes with voters he has "deeply offended". In order to correct his wrongs they insist Sparks: ° Publicly acknowledge and apologize to the voters of District 16 for his role in his offensive runoff campaign, ° Fire Carrier Marshall & Associates, the political consulting company that crafted his campaign and that is infamous for its smear tactics, ° Run a clean general election campaign that focuses on the serious issues facing the voters of Oklahoma Senate District 16. Mary Maggi, Chair Suzette McDowell Eric S. Anderson Ellen Frank Tom Fredgren Hester Baer Ryan Long Carolyn and Mack Paul Toni and Joseph Henning Dee Crockett Bette Mafucci Jack Cohn Karin Schutjer Norma Sapp Marybeth Langer Cynthia Kerfoot Joe Peters Vickie Michener Chris Suit Jack and Jane Stansell Kim Cory Dale Wares Michael Winston Posted at 8/28/2006 10:01:00 AM |   

Scott Pruitt won overwhelmingly in Tulsa County but both Todd Hiett and Jari Askins did well in rural areas. OKLAHOMA CITY -- State Sen. Scott Pruitt swamped House Speaker Todd Hiett in Tulsa County voting in Tuesday's Republican runoff for lieutenant governor but still narrowly lost in the statewide contest for the GOP nomination. Pruitt, of Broken Arrow, captured 65 percent of the Republican vote in Tulsa County -- 15,480 to 8,477 -- but lost the race by about 2,400 votes. Hiett now faces Democratic runoff winner Jari Askins and independent candidate E.Z. Million of Norman in the November general election. Hiett outpaced Pruitt in Oklahoma County by nearly 2,000 votes and received much of the rest of his support from dozens of rural counties. Hiett's advertisements repeatedly stated that he had been a dairy farmer and still farmed near Kellyville. Hiett received nearly 1,300 more votes than Pruitt in his home Creek County. Read more... Posted at 8/27/2006 02:04:00 PM |   

By Randall Turk Transcript Business Editor James Inhofe, Oklahoma’s senior U.S. senator, says he devoted many years to the “real world” of business before beginning his Congressional career 20 years ago. “I spent 30 years making companies and losing companies, making money and losing money,” the scrappy Inhofe said at a Norman Chamber of Commerce gathering Wednesday. “The chief obstacle was the government,” he said. “I ran for Congress to save America and the free enterprise system.” Read more... Posted at 8/27/2006 02:02:00 PM |   

By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau Her goal is to be state's second woman in Congress OKLAHOMA CITY -- Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin is on the cusp of becoming the second woman to represent Oklahoma in Congress. She defeated Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett last week for the Republican nomination to represent the 5th Congressional District, which includes Oklahoma, Pottawatomie and Seminole counties. U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook, also a Republican, is giving up that seat to run for governor. Fallin got slightly more than 63 percent of the vote Tuesday. Cornett took nearly 37 percent. The three-term lieutenant governor now faces David Hunter, a Democrat, and Matthew Horton Woodson, an independent candidate, in the Nov. 7 general election. Both men are from Oklahoma City. Oklahoma's only woman in Congress was Alice Mary Robertson, a Republican who held the office from 1921 to 1923. "It would be a great honor if I have the opportunity to be selected the second woman," Fallin said. "I take those honors very seriously. I try to be a good example for other women to follow and a good role model for other women." Read more... Keith Gaddie at SoonerPolitics.com looks inside the depth of Fallin's win. Posted at 8/27/2006 12:31:00 PM |   

From okdemocrat.com Lisa Pryor will resign as the ODP chair Between now and the general election Lisa Pryor will resign as the ODP chair. As I have repeatedly posted here she was in the state chair position to maneuver into an elected office. She used the party and it’s contributors to better her efforts to get into an elected office. Can't wait for Mac Miller to say this isn't so. Developing… Posted at 8/27/2006 12:13:00 PM |   

By OMER GILLHAM World Staff Writer PICHER -- Sam Freeman is either in trouble or one of the shrewdest men in town. Freeman, 61, is the mayor of Picher, a small mining town at the center of the Tar Creek Superfund site in Ottawa County. He is being investigated by the state auditor and inspector for purchasing devalued land that could be sold to the government as part of a federal buyout in Tar Creek. State Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan wants to know whether Freeman used his position as the mayor to buy Superfund land cheap in hope of selling it for a profit. Freeman and dozens of other Tar Creek residents benefited from the authority's sale of about 400 lots of abandoned mining land, primarily in Picher, records show. The average lot is 25 feet by 120 feet with a sale price of 3 cents a square foot, or $90 per lot. Freeman's son, Harold G. Freeman, bought three lots from the development authority, records show. Read more... Posted at 8/27/2006 11:42:00 AM |   

From Chris Medlock's blog Medblogged: If a picture says a thousand words, then this photograph I took Thursday, pretty much sums up the current condition of my elective political career. The photo is from the Creek County Landfill. Posted at 8/27/2006 11:09:00 AM |   

Istook secures $13 million dollars for border patrol training center at Will Rogers World Airport OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Ground was broken in Oklahoma City today for a new training center for U-S Customs and Border Protection pilots. A 20 (m) million dollar contract was awarded last month for construction of a permanent hangar to support the National Air Training Center, a flight training and maintenance facility. The new air training center will be located at Will Rogers World Airport. Republican Congressman Ernest Istook -- who's running for governor -- obtained a total of 13 (m) million dollars for the project. Istook says the new facility will be able to hold enough aircraft and people to meet the growing needs of Customs and Border Patrol. The 67-thousand-500 square foot facility is scheduled to open in October 2007. Posted at 8/27/2006 02:59:00 AM |   

Four trips included OU football games OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Taxpayers paid for six out-of-state trips taken last year by Governor Brad Henry, including one to a Las Vegas convention for an Oklahoma-based legal firm. The Oklahoman's investigation of state records indicated that taxpayers spent more than 46-thousand-dollars as Henry traveled to four University of Oklahoma football games, a show in Washington and the convention in October for Ada-based Pre-Paid Legal Services. Records show Pre-Paid Legal had contributed almost 100-thousand-dollars to Henry's re-election campaign. Henry, a Democrat, defended the cost of the trips, saying he was, quote, "going to work." He says the trips were in his official capacity as governor of the state. Henry's football trips last year were to O-U games against Southern California in the Orange Bowl, Texas, Nebraska and Oregon in the Holiday Bowl. The four trips cost taxpayers about 31-thousand-dollars. He says he tries to conduct business when he travels outside Oklahoma for games. *Out of state travel costs for Gov. Brad Henry between August 2003 to December 2004 totaled $14,702. Posted at 8/27/2006 02:22:00 AM |   

From OK Blue Notes (Click image to enlarge) Posted at 8/27/2006 02:01:00 AM |   

Veterans Against Steve Gallo are obviously not too pleased with House District 23 candidate Steve Gallo. Maybe this is why: From okdemocrat.com: 7/24/06 "I hear a police report is being filed at Uniform Division East against Mac-Daddy (Jason McIntosh) for stealing large 2'x4' Connie Dodson signs. He was spotted in the act last night and later his car was found parked at Steve Gallo's home with Dodson signs in the outdoor trash bin. Photos were taken of J-Mac's car in the driveway and the signs in the trash bin and a report was filed with police, channel 2 and the Tulsa County Democratic Party.." Posted at 8/26/2006 06:26:00 PM |   

By RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer The job had some surprises in store, say first-termers Sen. Brian Crain and Rep. Jeannie McDaniel. Freshmen in college and freshmen in the Oklahoma Legislature have at least one thing in common. They find out, and pretty quickly, that they don't know as much as they thought. Two first-term Tulsa legislators, Republican Sen. Brian Crain and Democratic Rep. Jeannie McDaniel, talked about their own learning curves Friday during a lunch presentation at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa Schusterman Center. Rodger Randle, a former Tulsa mayor who served for 17 years in the Legislature, prefaced McDaniel's and Crain's remarks by saying, "For everyone who goes to the Legislature, there is some form of culture shock." For Crain, the biggest surprise was how few issues broke along party lines. He said he expected all Republicans to agree with him and all Democrats to disagree. "You can find yourself having opponents in your own party, and you can find you have friends across the aisle," he said. "Republicans and Democrats in Oklahoma are not that far apart on day-to-day things. There are issues that will separate people . . . workers comp reform, tort reform, pro-life issues. Those can be very divisive, but those are very rare." Read more... Posted at 8/26/2006 05:51:00 PM |