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Wednesday, October 31, 2007 Getting LOST
by Senator Jim Inhofe
What if I were to tell you that at this very moment in the halls of the Senate, legislation is being considered that will govern 70 percent of the earth's surface, threaten the very sovereignty of our country and, worse, without the efforts of a select few, would have become law years ago? What if I added that our enemies are waiting in the wings for us to make this historic blunder by accepting legislation that effectively cedes our autonomy to international organizations such as the United Nations? If you are of the small percentage of Americans who has heard of the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, or simply the Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST), I congratulate you on being ahead of the curve. If you have not heard of LOST, you soon will, as we are gearing up in the Senate for a fight against one of the most far-reaching international challenges to American sovereignty we have ever faced.
LOST was conceived in the late 1970s as a way of governing all activities that occur on and beneath the surface of the world's oceans. The treaty's central aims, those of defining the corridors of water surrounding a country and standardizing the rules of navigation through these corridors, are innocent enough and are probably needed to govern and safeguard the ever-increasing use of the high seas.
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Labels: LOST, Sen. Inhofe Posted at 10/31/2007 12:12:00 PM |Taxpayers Go Trick Or Treating
Labels: Pork, Sen. Barack Obama, Sen. Tom Coburn Posted at 10/31/2007 12:01:00 PM |Oklahoma Companies Confused Over H.B. 1804
The attorney general's office filed a motion Monday to dismiss a lawsuit challenging House Bill 1804, which goes into effect on Thursday, November 1. The law bars illegal immigrants from getting jobs and state benefits and makes it a felony to harbor or transport illegal immigrants. While the new law has received a great deal of attention, there is still some confusion over what effect it will have. The News On 6 has received several e-mails from private business owners, asking what they have to do this week to comply with the new law. The News On 6’s Chris Wright reports the simple answer is nothing, for now. "Well confusion is rampant for sure, people really don't understand the law," said Homebuilders Association President Glen Shaw. As head of the Homebuilders Association, Glen Shaw has received plenty of calls from local contractors about House Bill 1804. He says many are not sure what changes, if any, they need to make before the November 1 deadline. "Technically it won't have an effect on us this week, but it's had an effect on us for several months now," Shaw said. Labels: HB 1804, Immigration Reform, Rep. Randy Terrill Posted at 10/31/2007 11:48:00 AM |OK Republican Party Exposes Rice's Web
State Republican Chairman Gary Jones announced a new web site today detailing the extreme liberal positions of State Senator Andrew Rice, the only announced opponent to Republican Senator Jim Inhofe. Using a Halloween theme, Jones started AndrewRicesWeb.com calling Rice’s liberal connections “the spookiest fright of this Halloween.”
Labels: Andrew Rice, Democrat Fact Check, Gary Jones Posted at 10/31/2007 11:36:00 AM |Here We Go Again: Anti-Incumbent Wave Next Year? by Stuart Rothenberg
Some story lines never go away. This year, once again, there is buzz that 2008 might be an anti-incumbent election that will sweep out sitting House Members of both parties. National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Cole (Okla.) has been making that case for months, and more than a few journalists and talking heads have picked it up as well. A little more than a year ago in this space ("An Anti-Incumbent Election? This Year? Of Course Not," Sept. 14, 2006), I argued that 2006 would be an anti-Republican, not an anti-incumbent, year. I never thought that we'd be hearing the same anti-incumbent argument so soon. It's like a bad penny that keeps turning up. Labels: Cong. Tom Cole, Decision '08 Posted at 10/30/2007 12:11:00 PM |Healthy Americans Act Not Freedom Says Tom Coburn
Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma, says the Healthy Americans Act's mandate for insurance "is not freedom."
Coburn has his own plan, which he is sponsoring with North Carolina GOP Sen. Richard Burr, which would change the tax code to give every person the refundable tax credit for health care. They could purchase insurance through their employer or go out and get it on their own. States could create a blanket plan to cover those who don't sign up on their own. Those who fell into this default plan wouldn't be penalized, but they would have a high deductible, making them responsible for a sizable chunk of the final bill.
Both of these proposals would provide financial incentives for people to get preventive health care.
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Labels: Healthcare, Sen. Tom Coburn Posted at 10/30/2007 11:58:00 AM |Hanging tough in Oklahoma
by Diana West
Something downright incendiary is happening in Oklahoma. First one, then 17, and now 24 state lawmakers have declined a copy of the Koran offered to all 149 members of the legislature by an official Muslim advisory group to Oklahoma’s governor. State Representative Rex Duncan, Republican, explained his rejection of the Koran this way: “Most Oklahomans do not endorse the idea of killing innocent women and children in the name of ideology.”
That’s one way. Or I could start it this way: Something downright incendiary is happening in Oklahoma. Gov. Brad Henry’s Muslim advisory council is offering personalized Korans to lawmakers to mark the state’s centennial, with each copy to be embossed with the Oklahoma state seal and the recipient lawmaker’s name. The all-Muslim group — plain-vanilla-named the American Ethnic Advisory Council — asked lawmakers to notify it if they didn’t want a Koran, which the group described as “the record of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad.” So far, 24 have declined. Read MoreLabels: Brad Henry, Muslims, Rep. Rex Duncan Posted at 10/30/2007 11:46:00 AM |Randy Terrill for President
In just days HB 1804 will take effect and we have one fearless man to thank, Rep. Randy Terrill. He is by far one of the tax payers best friends that Oklahoma has. Critics have hurled the race card and it has bounced off of him like bullets on Superman's chest. The best part was when he told a group of lawyers, " "Not all of them are putting roofs on your houses, I assure you,".
After visiting this website he was right, not all of them want to put roofs on your house and cut your 14 acre plot of land for $20.00.
OKPNS would like to thank Rep. Terrill for standing up for Oklahomans and Americans by being proactive and not waiting on the Federal government to do its job.
Related: Tough New Immigration Law Coming
Labels: Immigration Reform, Rep. Randy Terrill Posted at 10/30/2007 11:27:00 AM |From Grass To Gas
As soon as Oklahoma became a state it led the nation in oil production. Things have fallen off since, but King Oil still brings a pretty penny to the state's coffers. Those in the know say Oklahoma's poised to lead a second energy boom, fueled by the majestic grasses of our native prairies. News On 6 anchor Scott Thompson reports in our next hundred years, it looks like we'll be paying homage to King Switchgrass. It's been a mainstay of Oklahoma's tall grass prairies since those grasses first sprouted eons ago. Plowed under for farming, switchgrass today stands at a new frontier. All that grass could make Oklahoma the Saudi Arabia of biofuels. “There are stands of switchgrass from the old days that some agronomists have that are 18 to 20-years-old. Well that's got to be a benefit that's a big benefit,” said Dr. Joe Bouton of the Noble Foundation. “See, corn and some of the other biomass crops like sorghum have to be planted every year, and so that's a risk the farmer has to take.” Labels: Oil, Switchgrass Posted at 10/30/2007 11:22:00 AM |Overcrowding Plagues County Jails
By John Walker
The Duncan Banner
DUNCAN — Stephens County is not the only county with overcrowding problems in its jail.
“I’ve talked with other county commissioners around the state,” said Commissioner Dee Bowen, “and many have a far worse problem than we do.”
About a month ago, the inspector of county jails for the Oklahoma Department of Health told Stephens County that it needed to build a new and bigger jail because the older jail that is still being used is unhealthy.
“We are still using the older jail,” said Sheriff Jimmie Bruner, “because the new jail is filled to capacity with men. We have to utilize the old jail for women, juveniles and the overflow from the new jail.
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Labels: Dee Bowen, Jails, Jimmie Bruner Posted at 10/29/2007 11:25:00 AM |Trying To Improve Tulsa Streets
(TULSA, Okla.) October 28 - Mayor Kathy Taylor and city councilor Bill Martinson formed a panel that will come up with a Complete Our Streets plan.
The panel is holding a town hall meeting on October 29th, giving you the chance to share your comments.Potholes and bad roads are a common sight for some drivers in Tulsa.
The Complete Our Streets plan will involve a comprehensive survey of road conditions and the maintenance required.
Many drivers say the sooner the plan is put into place the better. And drivers say it's for so many reasons. “Everywhere we turn we have to avoid this or that,” says one driver.
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Labels: Kathy Taylor, Tulsa Posted at 10/29/2007 11:15:00 AM |Congress' Halloween Agenda: Safeguard Cross-Dressing 'Rights'
By Ernest Istook "Doesn't Congress have anything better to do?" Conservatives are asked this when they pursue legislation to curb abortion or pornography. So what have liberals in Congress put on the agenda instead? Cross-dressing. They're fighting about this in Congress, although few media are reporting it. Self-selected "gender identity" would become the law of the land, supplanting what activists deride as "gender assigned at birth." Employers would be punished if they didn't accept cross-dressing. Even to the point that guys dressed as gals could use the ladies' room. And gals dressed as guys could use the men's room. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was planning a vote for the week of Halloween. How fitting. But now she and other supporters have gotten spooked. Labels: Cross Dressing Liberals, Ernest Istook Posted at 10/29/2007 10:38:00 AM |Suit Aims To Stop Illegal-Immigrant Law
by Emily Bazar
One of the toughest state laws targeting illegal immigrants takes effect Thursday in Oklahoma, prompting efforts by immigrants trying to block it and work by state agencies to comply. The law makes it a felony to transport or shelter illegal immigrants. Businesses, which are barred by federal law from hiring illegal immigrants, can be sued by a legal worker who is displaced by an illegal one. The measure denies illegal immigrants certain public benefits such as rental assistance and fuel subsidies. Related: Priest present petition to Gov. Henry vowing to break the law. Labels: Immigration Reform, Rep. Randy Terrill Posted at 10/29/2007 10:17:00 AM |Reynolds: "Why Is a Liberal, Out-of-State Group Praising Edmondson?”FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: State Rep. Mike Reynolds
Capitol: (405) 557-7337
OKLAHOMA CITY (October 26, 2007) – Although the Washington, DC-based Ballot Initiative Strategy Center (BISC) claims to be a "progressive 'think-and-do' tank" eager to "reinvigorate the initiative process among state and national progressive organizations...." it’s actions undercut that claims, state Rep. Mike Reynolds said today.
BISC statements imply that it upholds the values of democracy and citizen initiative rights, and is a friend of the rule of law.
"But it seems this is only true when BISC wants to advance its own political agenda through initiatives," said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, responding to a recent statement issued by the Center. "BISC is apparently all in favor of hauling supporters off to prison if they work for initiatives BISC doesn't like."
An October 22 press release issued by the organization applies its BISC-quicked logic to the case of Paul Jacob, Susan Johnson, and Rick Carpenter, leaders in a recent Oklahoma initiative to limit state spending often referred to as a Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR). If convicted of participating in democracy they could go to prison for up to 10 years.
According to BISC, the Oklahoma three are "crooks [who] have worked in this arena long enough to know the laws. They just thought they could get away with ignoring them. In fact, we have found that most right-wing ballot initiative players operate with complete disregard for state laws meant to ensure an open and honest process of putting issues on the ballot."
BISC's blanket characterization of "right-wing ballot initiative players" immediately suggests an ideological bias, Reynolds said.
But worse, said Reynolds, "BISC is dishonest to claim that the Oklahoma Three 'thought they could get away with ignoring' Oklahoma's law that petition circulators be residents. BISC links to Paul Jacob's statement of self-defense but ignores his explanation of how the state changed the rules, after the fact, on what constitutes residency. At freepauljacob.com, Mister Jacob reports in detail on the effort he and others made to ensure that they were complying with the law, a law that contrary to BISC's assertions does not in fact do anything to ensure an open and honest ballot process.
"If BISC thinks Jacob is wrong on the facts, why don't they answer him?" Reynolds asked. "Why don't they refute him? Their attack is clearly not about facts or objective law. It's sad that political activists who make use of the initiative process themselves refuse to see the glaring injustice and unconstitutionality here, which could be extended to them too one day. And it is an Orwellian inversion to imply that abetting the exercise by Oklahoma citizens of their constitutionally guaranteed citizen initiative rights is in and of itself a form of sabotage of those rights."
BISC Executive Director Kristina Wilfore has even gone so far as to submit a letter of praise to Attorney General Edmondson stressing that the TABOR campaign was funded and enjoining Edmondson to look into the "network of funders" that has supported this and other petition drives.
“BISC is not a credible source of information,” said Reynolds. “It’s on the extreme left, supported by donations from the National Abortion Rights Action League and billionaire George Soros's Open Society Foundation. BISC is about using the initiative process to promote the leftwing agenda of its donors. Contrary to its rhetoric about ‘out of state’ interests, BISC itself provides direct donations to ballot measures in multiple states.
“BISC ideologically opposes TABOR initiatives,” said Reynolds. “In 2006, Nebraska campaign filings show that BISC was paid to train people in blocking a TABOR petition drive. A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order against three Nebraska cities because they violated the 1st Amendment rights of TABOR petitioners."
“BISC should be ashamed enough of its admitted role in campaigns designed to harass petitioners and block voters from deciding issues like TABOR,” Reynolds concluded. “But now we see their desire to help in the AG’s witch-hunt against the initiative process, to actually throw their political opponents in prison. That's a sad commentary on BISC.”
The state representative pointed to BISC’s own statement that their help in the prosecution of these three individuals by the AG is “a continuation of those efforts” to block TABOR from the ballot.
### Labels: AG, Drew Edmondson, Paul Jacob TABOR, Rep. Mike Reynolds Posted at 10/26/2007 10:16:00 PM |Statement By George Faughtby Rep. George Faught In an e-mail sent to all of Oklahoma’s state senators and representatives by Marjan Seirafi-Pour, the chairperson of the Governor’s Ethnic American Advisory Council, we were notified that copies of the Quran decorated with the state’s centennial seal were going to be distributed to all Oklahoma state legislators. The e-mail closed with the statement: “If you do not wish to receive a copy, please feel free to let me know.” In fact, the books have yet to be distributed. For the council to offer an opt-out option, then imply in the media that lawmakers who declined the gift are being racially or ethnically insensitive is unfair, and seems politically charged. Many legislators, including myself, have notified Ms. Seirafi-Pour – by e-mail, as she requested – that we would like to politely decline the offer of this book. Labels: Muslims, Quran, Rep. George Faught Posted at 10/26/2007 10:54:00 AM |Oklahoma's Legislator Wants No Part of Terrorist's ReligionGreat commentary on our Legislators reaction in regards to Quran's being passed out in the Oklahoma legislators.
Generally we here in Texas give Oklahoma a hard time, all in jest. But today, I stand up, praise and applaud them for they have done what a lot of dhimi politicians should do, they sent back Korans that were given to them.
Posted at 10/26/2007 10:48:00 AM
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(CNSNews.com) - An Islamic Advocacy group on Friday plans to respond to "Islamophobic remarks" by state lawmakers in Oklahoma who rejected Korans sent to them as gifts by a state panel on diversity. "In rejecting the Qurans, Islam's revealed text, some lawmakers made stereotypical and offensive remarks that falsely linked the faith of Islam to violence," the Council on American Islamic Relations said. According to press reports, two dozen Oklahoma lawmakers plan to return copies of the Koran given to all 149 state legislators by the Governor's Ethnic American Advisory Council. The council is chaired by a Muslim woman. "Most Oklahomans do not endorse the idea of killing innocent women and children in the name of ideology," the Associated Press quoted Republican Rep. Rex Duncan as saying. CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper called Duncan's statement "disturbing" and "offensive" to Muslims. Oklahoma's Republican House Speaker Lance Cargill said he would accept the Koran -- and give the governor's advisory council a Bible in return. Groups of various faiths plan to appear at Friday's news conference, CAIR said. Read More Rep. Cole Welcomes Announcement from DeltaWASHINGTON, D.C. - Today Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after receiving word that Delta Airlines has announced they will begin offering twice daily flights between Lawton, Okla. and Atlanta, Ga., starting March 2008. "This is great news for Lawton and Southwest Oklahoma," Congressman Cole said. "Not only will these flights add to the convenience of our citizens in and around Lawton, it also makes it easier for others around the country to do business in Lawton. I want to welcome Delta to the city of Lawton and thank them both for their commitment to Southwest Oklahoma." Delta Air Lines announced this morning that it will offer flight access to a network of destinations through a nonstop service to the airline's hub in Atlanta. Lawton/Ft. Sill customers will be able to use the only jet service to and from the area through Delta Connection's carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines service. Delta Air Lines is one of the largest airlines in the world with service to 310 destinations in 54 countries worldwide. Labels: Cong. Tom Cole, Delta Posted at 10/26/2007 10:27:00 AM |Gifts Are For AcceptingMore sensible minds and softer hearts have redeemed some of Oklahoma’s dignity.
State Rep. Dan Sullivan, R-Tulsa, said he would accept gift copies of the Quran that 24 other state legislators have chosen not to accept. Sullivan said he would find homes for them. Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, said he will offer gift Bibles to members of the Governor’s Ethnic American Advisory Council to encourage goodwill between Oklahoma Christians and Muslims. The council offered each state legislator earlier this week an Oklahoma Centennial copy of the Quran. Gov. Brad Henry authorized the council in 2003 at the request of Oklahomans of Middle Eastern descent. Other ethnic groups in the state have similar councils. Labels: Quran, Rep. George Faught Posted at 10/26/2007 10:22:00 AM |Flaming Lips Alley Sparks Controversy
BRICKTOWN, Okla - Bricktown is now home to Flaming Lips Alley.On Thursday, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, along with the Oklahoma rock band, unveiled the new street signs.The renaming did cause some controversies. One such controversy was after whom Oklahoma City streets can be named.
And some said they are upset that the band got just an alley.But to lead singer Wayne Coyne, it's still an honor."I'd say come to Oklahoma City and walk down Flaming Lips Alley, even though it has Dumpsters and some trucks unloading beer in the back," Coyne said.
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Labels: Flaming Lips, Mick Cornett Posted at 10/26/2007 10:16:00 AM |New SCHIP Proposal Falls Short of Original Goal
By Rep. Mary Fallin
I support SCHIP as it was originally intended, as a government funded healthcare program for low income children. I don’t know of anyone that doesn’t agree with the basic premise that poor children should have access to quality medical care.
In a letter that I and other freshmen members sent to Speaker Pelosi, we made it clear that we are interested in pursuing a bipartisan SCHIP compromise. Republicans and Democrats agree that poor children need government funded health insurance.
The conflict now is whether or not the federal government should expand the program to cover middle class children, millions of adults, and even some illegal aliens, when so many poor children continue to go without healthcare. Read More... Labels: Mary Fallin Posted at 10/25/2007 03:36:00 PM |H.R. 2003: Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007
The following letter was sent to Sen. Inhofe by the Ethiopian American Civic Advocacy (EACA) organization.
Dear Honorable Senator Jim Inhofe:
We are grateful for your passionate commitment to alleviating poverty, promoting human rights and good governance in Africa specifically in Ethiopia, as you eloquently stated in your recent speech to the United States Senate. However, we are writing to you to express our deep disappointment about your statement on the Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability bill (H.R.2003) which was unanimously passed by the House of Representatives. In particular, we are concerned that your statement on H.R.2003 appears to be based on distorted information that may have been provided to you, and reflects a lack of accurate data from independent sources on developments in Ethiopia
Ethiopia's political and social environment has been deteriorating at an alarming rate over the last few years. The ongoing systematic repression and the unspeakable crimes against civilians by the dictatorial government, which are too long to list in this letter but are carefully documented in multiple reputable sources, including the recent U.S. State Department country report on human rights, will, if not condemned and stemmed, ultimately make pockets within the country a breeding ground for terrorism. The unchecked and hardline government repression will increase the number of Ethiopians who choose to take up or support armed struggle against injustice in all parts of the country, for lack of any hope that the international community would take action against the atrocities committed by the government. Historically, Ethiopians have been a peaceful and staunchly pro-American society. The US must not turn against the people of Ethiopia by siding with a repressive regime that does not respect the dignity of its citizens, as this would be counterproductive and aggravate the currently prevailing instability. Our U.S. national interest will be sustainably protected and secured if our US government continues to stand with the 78 million Ethiopians, who in May of 2005 stood at the polling station for hours to cast their ballot and choose liberty over tyranny rather than live under a dictatorship that is skillful in maintaining a façade of democratic appearances.
During your speech on the United States Senate floor you stated: Read more...
Labels: Sen. Inhofe Posted at 10/25/2007 09:15:00 AM |News 9 Report on Quran Flap
Related:
Hussam Ayloush blog:
A recent Associated Press story stated that about two dozen Oklahoma lawmakers plan to return copies of the Qur'an to a state panel on diversity created by Gov. Brad Henry after a lawmaker claimed the Muslim holy book condones the killing of innocent women and children.
The lawmaker, Rep. Rex Duncan, is obviously ignorant. Hey, there is no shame in being ignorant. We all are ignorant about many things. But it is a disaster when one is in denial of his/her ignorance and even makes judgments and bigoted decisions based on that ignorance. Read more...
The Red Dirt Political Report: COMMENTARY: Rep. Duncan should shut up
Labels: OK Legislature Posted at 10/25/2007 08:51:00 AM |Former Governor Keating Pushes for Federal Insurance Regulator
Lawmakers pushing for the creation of a federal insurance regulator say the country’s banking industry shows that a two-tiered system benefits consumers.
“That regulatory competition between state regulators and federal regulators has served consumers quite well,” Sen. John Sununu (R-N.H.) argued at a policy breakfast hosted by The Hill on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), one of the most vocal advocates for the legislation and a sponsor of the breakfast, unveiled a study concluding that an optional federal charter would boost competition and innovation in the insurance industry. Earlier this year, the trade group released a study finding that a federal regulator would generate up to $5.7 billion in savings for the 284 life insurers analyzed.
Speaking at the breakfast, ACLI president and former Republican governor of Oklahoma Frank Keating argued that those savings would be passed on to consumers, reducing prices by “an average of 2 percent on each policy.” Read more...Labels: Congress, Frank Keating Posted at 10/25/2007 08:50:00 AM |Counterpoint: Progressive Presumption
Oklahoma Gazette:
Labels: Ron Black Posted at 10/24/2007 11:48:00 AM |Illegals May Do OK in Oklahoma Despite New Law
From the zTruth blog:
Oklahoma's anti-illegal foreign national law is set to go into effect November 1st. But there are signs this law will not stop illegal foreign nationals from getting some free services from agencies. Naturally, the cost for these "free services" are paid for by taxpayers.
Recently, the citizens of Oklahoma learned the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority voted to approve pregnant illegals with free health care. So if you are illegal you don't need to worry - we will take care of you and your child with free health care because the taxpayers will pay for it for you. I wonder, if you are a citizen and pregnant are these same services available to you, as well? I think I'll give the Healthcare Authority a call and report back.
Today, I read, illegal foreign nationals will also get free flu shots at taxpayer expense! Isn't this great for them? Read more...
Related:
Okie Funk: New Law Creates QuagmireLabels: Immigration Reform, Rep. Randy Terrill Posted at 10/24/2007 09:35:00 AM |News from Oklahoma
A sample of how "Qurangate" is playing around the country. What a boneheaded mistake by Henry and his advisor's! We never believed a "moderate" Democrat governor would fall on the sword of political correctness so easily.
By Jenn Sierra
One of the first things Gov. Brad Henry (D-OK) did after he took office was to create a Governor’s Ethnic Advisory Council. Yes, that’s exactly what it sounds like - a “diversity” enforcement unit in the state. At the same time, Oklahoma was gearing up for it’s centennial celebration, in 2007. To commemorate the occasion, lawmakers in this Bible-belt state received what they always wanted - a centennial copy of the Quran. Yep…free! Read more...
Related:
The Red Dirt Political Report: Martin among those who refuse QuranLabels: Brad Henry Posted at 10/24/2007 09:06:00 AM |GOP Senators Hunt for Democratic Earmarks
By Kevin Bogardus and Manu Raju
Following in the footsteps of their House counterparts, Senate GOP budget hawks have targeted more Democrats than Republicans in their hunt for earmarks.
Based on a review of the amendments filed to the six appropriations bills brought to the Senate floor so far, Sens. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) have targeted 13 specific earmarked projects — nine of which were sponsored solely by Democrats.
This includes the successful attack on a high-profile earmark backed by the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.). In a vote last week, Coburn won a vote to cut $1 million in funds for a museum detailing the 1969 Woodstock music festival. The request was co-sponsored by Clinton and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).
Only three of the 13 earmarks targeted were sponsored exclusively by Republicans.
In the House, earmark critic Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and other fiscal conservatives targeted 20 earmarks in the first six spending bills, with only four sponsored exclusively by Republicans.
Despite these figures, Coburn insisted his quest to cut spending was not about party but about spending priorities. “We never look at who they are, we look at what it is,” Coburn said. “I’m equally grievous towards both groups that want earmarks.” Read more...
Related:
The Hill Blog: Coburn’s Awesome Victory for Taxpayers
Time Herald-Record: (NY)
A senator from Oklahoma has squashed a $1 million earmark to billionaire Alan Gerry's Woodstock-era museum in Bethel.
In a rare rebuke of a pet projects, senators, including Democrats, pulled monies last week earmarked by Sen. Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton, and shifted that money to provide health care for pregnant woman and homeless children.
"I'm pleased my colleagues took a bold stand... in defense of common sense and rejected the self-interested parochial politics that have disillusioned millions of Americans," said Sen. Tom Coburn, the Republican who organized the effort to kill the earmark, saying public monies shouldn't be given to a private museum backed by a man worth $1.3 billion according to Forbes.
"Maybe this is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius for taxpayers." Read more...Labels: Congress, Sen. Tom Coburn Posted at 10/24/2007 08:49:00 AM |Murphey Legislative Update Rep. Jason Murphey
One of the experiences I have most enjoyed as State Representative has been the role of Vice-Chairman on the House of Representative's Homeland Security Committee.
When designing the new house committee system, house leadership structured the system so that members of the committees could really focus on specialized areas of committee work. They did this by giving the committees both appropriation and policy oversight in their respective areas. It has been exciting to serve as Vice-Chairman of a committee where I could specialize in an area in which there is a core purpose for government involvement.
In this role, I recently joined Oklahoma State Fire Marshal Robert Doke and a delegation of state government and firefighting officials in visiting the headquarters of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). There we met with FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison. Administrator Paulson was complimentary of the manner in which Oklahoma officials have handled past emergencies and is supportive of the efforts made in developing additional emergency readiness.
One of the reasons for meeting with Paulison related to developing a truly interoperable 800mhz statewide emergency communications system to allow officials in different agencies to communicate with one another. This issue was perhaps the most controversial that our committee considered in the past year. Read more...Labels: OK Legislator's Blog, Rep. Jason Murphey Posted at 10/24/2007 08:38:00 AM |Cole's Water Shortage Legislation Passes HouseThe Norman Transcript
The House of Representatives passed Fourth District Congressman Tom Cole's bill Monday to authorize $900,000 to administer a water feasibility study in order to find future water sources for Norman, Midwest City and Del City.
Now it's on to the Senate.
"This was a critical step in the process of securing water resources for cities in central Oklahoma," Cole said in a prepared statement. "Because these areas are growing rapidly, the demand for additional water is only going to get greater as time goes on. I believe it is vital that these needs are anticipated early so that Oklahomans will have access to water as they need it. I am pleased that this legislation has passed the House, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law."?
H.R. 1337 directs the commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation to conduct a feasibility study of the amount of water used by the Central Oklahoma Master Conservatory District and the cities served by it.
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Labels: Cong. Tom Cole Posted at 10/23/2007 12:31:00 PM |Members Dare To Ride The Metro, But Not Often
By Jenny Gross
The Hill
Rep. Mary Fallin (R-Okla.) had finished brunch at Georgetown’s hip Italian restaurant Filomena when she realized she was nowhere near the Metro. Still clad in the chic Sunday church dress that she had worn to a service at the National Cathedral earlier, she hopped on a passing Metrobus and rode to the closest stop on the blue line, which took her home to Crystal City.
People rightly assume that lawmakers, often seen sliding into cabs and sometimes limos after votes, tend to use upscale methods of transportation. But they sometimes use less expensive modes, such as the Metro, to get around D.C. Eighty-four percent of members of Congress who responded to a survey conducted by The Hill said they had ridden the Metro before; 63 percent said they had used it within the past year.
Of the 107 House members who responded, 88 said they had ridden the Metro. Of the 14 senators who responded, all said they had used the Metro, although four had not ridden it in the past year.
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Labels: Mary Fallin Posted at 10/23/2007 12:17:00 PM |Challenge To House Bill 1804 DismissedBy MICK HINTON and ALTHEA PETERSON World Staff Writers
OKLAHOMA CITY - A federal judge dismissed on Monday a constitutional challenge to House Bill 1804, a state law aimed at illegal immigrants.
U.S. District Judge James H. Payne said the Tulsa Hispanic group, two churches, a restaurant group and anonymous plaintiffs who filed the suit can't challenge the law now because they cannot show that it has damaged them before it takes effect.
The law is due to take effect Nov. 1, and Payne's decision seems to set the stage for another challenge then.
''The court has no doubt that Plaintiffs fervently believe in the unconstitutionality of HB 1804,'' Payne says in his order. ''The court's holding today does not close the courthouse door to those wishing to challenge the constitutional soundness of HB 1804.''
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Labels: Immigration Reform, Rep. Randy Terrill Posted at 10/23/2007 12:12:00 PM |Senator Rice looks to Capitol HillJackson To Assume House Leadership Position
By Robert Barron Staff Writer
Enid’s Mike Jackson will assume a House Republican leadership position next legislative session when he becomes co-majority whip.
Jackson was named to the post along with current maj |
