OKLAHOMANS OVERPAYING THEIR TAX BILL!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

by Steve Fair

 

This week, the Oklahoma legislature passed a nearly $13 billion dollar state budget for fiscal year 2027- SB#1177.  The budget is slightly more than last year.   SB#1177 passed the House 76-18 (7 members didn't vote) and the Senate 28-17 (3 members didn't vote).  It barely got the votes it needed in the Senate (25).  Seven of the eight Democrats in the Senate voted no, joined by ten GOP state senators.

Oklahoma has a 'balanced budget' amendment in the state constitution, but the real goal of a state budget should be reduced government spending, rather than a balanced budget.

SB#1177 sets aside $200 million to create a permanent investment fund.  Similar to the state's rainy-day fund, the fund's stated goal is to generate a reliable revenue stream to safeguard essential services during down economic trends.  

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, (R-Bristow) said: "This budget reflects our commitment to investing in Oklahoma’s future while remaining responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.” The budget includes teacher pay raises, increased funding for the Department of Mental Health and the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority. 

First, Oklahomans are clearly overpaying their tax bill.  Government never adjusts its budget down, like citizens have to. 

Oklahoma taxpayers are struggling in these challenging economic times- higher prices on gas and food, but no increase in wages.  Taxpayers have to live on less, but government never takes a hit, no matter the economic climate. 

Instead of putting $200 million into an investment fund, return that money to the people it belongs to- the taxpayer who worked and earned it.  Legislative leaders and the governor constantly talk about eliminating the state income tax.  They devise clever schemes, hold marathon meetings, but no stratagem includes ever simply sending the money back to the taxpayer.  When government holds in escrow the overpayment of tax dollars to avoid cuts during the 'hard times,' it's telling taxpayers government knows how to manage taxpayer money better than those who toiled for it.  Refund the overpayment.

Second, politics makes for strange bedfellows.  The Democrats who opposed the budget did so because they wanted the state to spend more money.  The Republicans who voted no claim the budget is too big.  An ancient proverb suggests two parties can work together against a common enemy- "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." 

The GOP senators who voted no on the budget proposed a -4% cut across the board to all agencies, except education, mental health and health care, but were rebuffed by leadership.  It is significant that 25% of GOP state senators opposed the budget.  If those of like opinion are elected in November, they could partner with the Ds and make life difficult for senate leadership.

Third, passage of the state budget this early is unprecedented.  It is the single most important thing the legislature does, but the budget has historically been the last thing done in a session.  It is commendable Oklahoma Republicans (legislative and executive) have shown they can govern with a super majority.  Perhaps they are embracing negotiated compromise. Negotiated compromise is when both sides want something, and they work together to find common ground, with each side giving up something to get to the desired result.  Nah, they aren't going to change and work together, but citizens can always hope.

Passage of the budget sets up a possible scenario where Oklahoma lawmakers could end the legislative session before the 5 p.m. May 29 deadline.  2026 is an election year, and many GOP lawmakers would be thrilled to hit the campaign trail early.  They can't wait to tell us how fiscally conservative they are.

BUY A BIGGER MAILBOX!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

Caveat Sentio!

by Steve Fair

 

The 2026 candidate filings ended on Friday.  611 candidates filed for state, federal, legislative, and judicial offices.  That is the highest number of filings since 2018, when almost 800 filed for office.  The biggest surprise was when term-limited State Auditor Cindy Byrd flip flopped from the Lieutenant Governor race to the State Treasurer race.

Last week, President Trump endorsed former Oklahoma Speaker of the House T.W. Shannon for the Lt. Governor's race, catapulting him to front runner status.  Apparently Byrd saw the handwriting on the wall and exited stage right. 

Congressman Kevin Hern, (R-Tulsa) filed to fill the U.S. Senate seat left open by now-DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin.  Hern will have 3 GOP opponents, but is expected to easily run the race.  12 Republicans and 1 Democrat are running for Hern's 1st Congressional District seat. In the gubernatorial race, there are 9 Republicans, 3 Democrats, and 3 Independents. Current Deputy State Auditor Melissa Capps won the State Auditor race because she did not draw an opponent and won by default.  7 Republicans are running for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, 4 Republicans each filed for Labor Commissioner and Insurance Commissioner. 

A fourth of state legislators up for election drew no opposition- 7 senators, 26 representatives.   23 of Oklahoma's 27 district attorney (DA) positions were filled by default because only one candidate filed for each race, resulting in no opposition.  All but 8 District Judge and Associate District Judge races were not challenged.  Three observations:

First, let the voter beware.  The primary is Tuesday June 16th- 70 days.  Candidates have a short window to 'get their message' out, so every GOP primary candidate will going to tell you how conservative they are.  They will try to 'out hard scrabble' their opponent.  It's amazing how they all have poverty, relentless toll, barrenness and struggle in their past.  But because of their hard work, determination, character, values, and faith, they are where they are today.  They are now selfless, sacrificial, generous, component, wise and most of all humble. public servants.  Cutting through the rhetoric can be exhausting, but entertaining.  Voters need to be skeptics and ask candidates hard questions.  Caveat Sentio (Latin for Let the Voter Beware) must be the battle cry the next two months.

Second, Oklahoma has an apathy issue.  Many races had only one person file.  Many elected officials drew no opposition.  Some of those folk translate to they are doing a stellar job, but that is often not the case.  No one filed against them because sadly Oklahomans don't care!  Voter turnout in the state is the lowest in the country.  Citizen engagement requires vigilant attentiveness.  Paying attention once every two years feeds a cannibalistic political system that simply tells the voter what they want to hear.

Third, candidates need to pay attention to their message.  In his book, The Fallacy of the Rational Voter, Jay Shepard writes: "Politics is not a contest of information.  It is a contest of interpretation.  Voters who decide elections are not spreadsheets waiting to be filled with data; they are human beings navigating uncertainty, loyalty, fear, hope and belonging,” Campaign consultants craft a candidate's message out of cream cheese that will appeal to the public, ignore the truth, but win the election.  They have the advantage of not being incumbered with the truth.

Three things’ voters should remember the next 60 days: (1) There is no perfect candidate.  They are all flawed. (2) No one is indispensable or irreplaceable, (3) When you ask a question, don't give the candidate the answer.  Be wise in how you craft your quiz of a candidate. 

By the way- get a bigger mailbox- you are going to need it.

GOP leaders need to embrace MESSAGE DOCTRINE!

 BOOK REVIEW

Throughout this 23-chapter, 203 page read, Shepard touts the Message Doctrine and points out the rational voter is a myth.  His example of irrational voter behavior is when voters elect a liberal followed by a conservative in the same district, which appears to make no sense.  Shepard blames the voter’s interpretation of reality.  The laziness of GOP political candidates and operatives to not ‘develop a message,’ has led to campaigns based on sensationalism, exaggeration, and drama.

Jay writes, “Republicans win when they operate at a higher strategic level- one grounded in behavioral reality rather than national assumptions.  It does not call for manipulation.  It calls for literacy.”   

This read is insightful and practical.  It challenges the traditional cookie-cutter campaign strategy by what Shepard describes as the Consultant Industrial Complex (Chapter 13), which ‘thrives in confusion and struggles in clarity.’ 

There is a chapter on dealing with the press that will prove to be invaluable to a candidate and their campaign team.  Another chapter on crisis, scandal and recovery is a must read. 

It's refreshing when a political insider like Jay Shepard has the courage to say the emperor has no clothes.  Shepard served on the Republican National Committee for several years and is a highly respected political operative in his home state of Vermont. 

The final chapter of the book sums up Shepard’s Message Doctrine.  “Politics is not a contest of information.  It is a contest of interpretation.  Voters who decide elections are not spreadsheets waiting to be filled with data; they are human beings navigating uncertainty, loyalty, fear, hope and belonging,” Shepard writes.  Every political candidate, operative, consultant, and activist should read this book!  It rightly challenges conventional ideas on campaign messaging.

Here is a link on where to buy the book: 

https://us.amazon.com/Fallacy-Rational-Voter-Republicans-Behavioral/dp/B0GT6PFT62

SLEEPER CELLS MAY BE WAKING UP!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

by Steve Fair

 

Albrecht Dittrich was born in 1949 in Russia.  His father was a schoolteacher and a committed Marxist/Leninist.  In 1969, while a senior in college, Dittrich was approached by the Committee for State Security (KGB) and asked to join the agency.  He moved to East Berlin, where he was taught Morse code, cryptography and English.  In October 1978, he moved to New York City, taking the name of a dead ten-year-old- Jack Philip Barsky.   

Dittrich's mission was to insert himself into American society, make contact with foreign policy think tanks and try to befriend President Jimmy Carter's National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski.  That proved harder than the KGB anticipated due partly to Dittrich's abrasive, confrontational personality.  He was a sleeper agent for the KGB in the U.S. for ten years- 1978-1988.  After the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, his name was revealed to American spy agencies and they monitored his activity for 8 years.  In 1997, Dittrich/Barsky was arrested for espionage, but never charged.  Dittrich has appeared on cable news networks as an expert on espionage.  He is a frequent commentor on the Russian interference in U.S. elections.  His autobiography, Deep Undercover, was published in 2017. 

Intelligence experts have raised alarms about potential Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) or Hezbollah-linked sleeper cells being activated in the U.S. and Europe. 

Sleeper cells are dormant, undercover agents or terrorist operatives embedded within a population, waiting for orders to activate and conduct attacks. These networks exist to disrupt, spy, or commit violence, often established well in advance to avoid detection. Concerns currently focus on Iran-linked proxy networks potentially activating across Europe and North America.

During the Biden administration, about 1,500 Iranians were intercepted at the southern border, but who knows the number who got through.  At least 700 were released into the United States.  "We have no idea how many people got around obviously. The numbers are deeply concerning,” Senator. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, says.  Three observations:

First, illegal immigration is a national security issue.   A cornerstone of America's identity is that it is a land of immigrants.  But immigration is a contentious issue. The vast majority of illegal immigrants crossing the southern border are coming to America for jobs, but not all.  Some want to destroy the U.S. and our way of life. Detecting and screening out the bad actors is the challenge. 

Second, they live among us.  It's not if sleeper cells exist in the U.S.- it's how many.  Sleeper cell operatives often live as ordinary citizens for years, sometimes acting with support from within the country or from abroad.  Dittrich married, had a daughter, held a job, and interacted with Americans undetected for years.  He was exposed only after the USSR fell.  Moles are hard to detect because, by nature, they are good at hiding. 

Third, Americans are not defenseless.  Thank God for the Second Amendment.  The United States is the most armed country in the world, with over 120 guns per 100 residents.   When the sleeper cells raise their ugly head, they will face significant civilian opposition in the U.S.

The public acts as the 'eyes and ears' for potential threats.  All Americans should be aware of unusual, out of the ordinary behavior- even from those people they think they know.  Report suspicious activity like individuals conducting surveillance on infrastructure, attempting to gain access to restricted areas, or displaying unusual behavior that raises a red flag.  It's better to be safe than sorry.

If Iran yells 'Olly olly oxen free,' Americans should be locked and loaded!

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TAKE THE STAGE & SELL THE IDEA TO CHEAT!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

by Steve Fair

House Resolution #7296 (HR#7296) aka the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act is legislation establishing new federal requirements for voter registration and identification. HR#7296 proposes to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 requiring documented proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.  It passed the U.S. House, along Party lines, 218-213, but faces strong Democratic opposition in the Senate.  Republicans currently lack the 60 votes needed in the Senate to invoke cloture, overcome a traditional filibuster, and bring HR#7296 to a floor vote.

Some Republicans have urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune, (R-SD), to force the D's to physically hold the floor to sustain their obstruction- a 'talking filibuster.'   Remember "Mr. Smith goes to Washington?"  Thune and others believe doing that could backfire and delay other legislation.  Three observations:

First, the U.S. Constitution gives joint power of elections to states and the federal government.  By its terms, Article I, Section 4, Clause 1, referred to as the Elections Clause, says state legislatures will establish the times, places, and manner of holding elections for the House of Representatives and the Senate, subject to Congress making or altering such state regulations. 

State authority to regulate the times, places, and manner of holding congressional elections has been described by the Supreme Court as the ability to enact the numerous requirements as to procedure and safeguards to ensure elections for federal offices are fair and honest and orderly.   Therein lies the problem- some states don't want fair, honest and orderly elections.  All of those states are governed by Democrats. 

Second, Democrats should be forced to physically filibuster.  They have done it before to block important legislation.  In 1964, a group of Democrat Senators blocked the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for 60 days. During that debate, Senator Robert Byrd, (D-WV) spoke for 14 hours and 13 minutes.  But that's not the record for one person holding the Senate floor.  In 1957, Senator Strom Thurmond, (D-SC) spoke against the Civil Rights Act of 1957 in an attempt to prevent its passage for 24 hours and 18 minutes. To sustain his speech, he read the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and Washington’s Farewell Address.  If the American people are made aware of the absurdity of letting non-citizens vote in elections, they will rise in mass against the practice.  Let the Ds take the stage.

Third, HR#7296 is just common sense.  Requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote is not unreasonable.  Only cheaters oppose making sure those who vote are Americans.  Requiring voters present a valid government-issued ID to cast a ballot is not obstructive.  Only tricksters oppose confirming a voter is who they say they are. Requiring state election officials to regularly purge their voter rolls is not being difficult.  Only thugs oppose making sure voter rolls are current and correct.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, (D-NY) said HR#7296 would force Americans to register to vote in person- something he claims only about 5% of Americans do today.  He's wrong- it's about 11%, but the truth is voters should be required to register in person. When Schumer was a member of the House back in 1996, he supported voter ID.  He said requiring IDs was just 'common sense.' 

What happened in the last 30 years?  Democrats became dependent on non-citizen votes.  The Ds can't win without cheating, so Schumer flip flopped. 

Let the Democrats take the stage!  GOP Senate leaders should make them physically hold the Senate floor.  Make them sell Americans on their plan to have non-citizens vote to elect our leaders.

     

SQ#832 would hurt the very ones it claims it would help!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial 

by Steve Fair

A group called Raise the Wage Oklahoma (RWO) gathered enough signatures to get State Question #832 (SQ#832) on the June 16th primary election ballot.  If SQ#832 were approved by voters, the measure would increase the minimum wage in Oklahoma to $9 immediately and to $15 by 2029.  The current minimum wage in the Sooner state is the same as the federal rate- $7.25 hourly.  Thirty U.S. states have raised the minimum wage above the federal rate the past three years.   

The United States federal minimum wage, was established by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in 1938, during the Great Depression, at two bits ($.25) an hour.  The objective was to ensure workers got a fair wage that would stimulate economic recovery.  FLSA also instituted a 44-hour work week and protected children from prematurely entering the workforce.  The minimum wage has been increased 22 times since its inception- the last time in 2009.   

Legislation is regularly proposed regarding raising the federal minimum wage- the latest was introduced in 2023. Three observations: 

First, one size does not fit all.  All employees are not the same.  Some are more productive than others.  When employers are mandated/required to pay all workers a minimum wage, it hurts their most productive workers.  When 'slugs' have to paid the same as 'eager beavers,' it's not fair to hard workers, resulting in an unfair division of labor.  Conscientious and dedicated workers have options and when not treated fairly by employers will leave.  Cream rises to the top.      

Second, everyone works for themselves.  Even enter level employees drawing minimum wage are ultimately responsible for their own career development, skills acquisition, and income generation.  Each worker is a solo entrepreneur of their career.  Loyalty in today’s labor marketplace is virtually non-existent.  The most productive workers have options and often go the highest bidder.  Today's employers treat their employees as expendable, resulting in high turnover and poor morale.  Employees should remember they are "solo entrepreneurs" of their own lives and allegiance is not valued as much as in the past. 

Third, consumers, not businesses pay the higher rate.  Businesses will pass the higher labor cost on in the form of price increases.  A higher minimum wage is not absorbed by businesses, because businesses are not sponges.  If they don't pass on their costs, then they go broke. 

Studies show increases in the minimum wage hurt small business more than large business.  Faced with the choice of reducing staff, increasing prices or accepting less profit, many small entities simply can't survive. 

A minimum wage hurts those workers just entering the workplace.  Most businesses track their labor costs as a percent of revenue.  Labor costs can account for as much as 70% of total business costs according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Labor costs, like any other commodity, should be set by supply and demand.  Creating an artificial, government mandated price floor goes against America's capitalist economic system. 

Oklahoma voters should vote no on SQ#832.  It will hurt the very ones it claims it would help.

Who will be the 'placeholder' in the U.S. Senate?

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

MUSICAL CHAIRS!

by Steve Fair

 

U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., was nominated to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security this week after President Donald Trump removed Secretary Kristi Noem.   The move follows bipartisan criticism of Noem’s leadership, including contentious congressional hearings and scrutiny over departmental spending and media campaigns.

Mullin accepted the nomination shortly after the president’s formal offer and now awaits U.S. Senate confirmation.  “I am super excited about this opportunity. It came — not as a complete surprise — but it came at a little bit of a surprise for us,” Mullin said on the steps of the Capitol shortly after Trump announced Noem’s ouster Thursday afternoon.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has 30 days after receiving Mullin's resignation to appoint a registered Republican to temporarily fill the seat after the senator leaves his post, but the appointee must sign an affidavit pledging to not run for a full term in November.   Many believe the restriction to prevent the appointee from running for a full term is illegal and would never stand up in court.  Oilman Harold Hamm has supposedly asked to fill the placeholder seat.  It remains to be seen who Stitt will appoint.   Three observations:

First, Mullin will follow Trump's orders.  Secretary Noem's poor judgment in policy and her personal life became a major distraction to Homeland's mission.  Removing her from the cabinet was a wise move.  Senator Mullin agrees with Trump's immigration policy and will carry out his directives without a hitch.  Mullin faces a Senate confirmation hearing, but it appears there is no organized effort to derail the nomination.  Senator Lindsey Graham, (R-SC) said about Mullin's nomination: "President Trump could not have chosen a better candidate to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security than Senator Markwayne Mullin."  With the GOP in control of the Senate, he should sail through the confirmation.

Second, the timeline for senate candidates is short.  Filing for federal, state and county offices is April 1-3.  The primary election is June 16th and the primary runoff August 25th.  Some claim a tight campaign schedule favors a grassroots candidate.  Others believe it favors a candidate who can self fund a high visibility advertising campaign.  Oklahoma 1st district Congressman Kevin Hern, (R-Tulsa) has indicated he is going to run for the full term.  Other potential candidates include Governor Kevin Stitt, Congressman Stephanie Brice, (R-OKC) and former State Senator and OKGOP Chair Nathan Dahm.  There is just 90 days until the primary.  Whomever decides to run will have to hit the ground running.  The race will be won in the GOP primary in June.  No Democrat has represented Oklahoma in the U.S. Senate in 30 plus years.

Third, Mullin's appointment creates a domino effect in Oklahoma.  If Congressman Hern or Brice run for the senate, a scramble to replace them in the House will draw multiple candidates.  Most likely state legislators would be among the aspirants for the Congressional seats, creating openings in their districts.  County elected officials would likely pitch their hat into the ring, creating openings for their offices. 

Musical chairs is a classic fast-paced game of elimination that tests reaction time and listening skills. Players march around a circle of chairs- numbering one less than the participants- while music plays.  When the music stops, everyone rushes to sit; the person left standing is eliminated, a chair is removed, and the game continues until one winner remains.  That is what is happening in Oklahoma politics. 

Cue The Laughing Policeman.