Weekly Opinion/Editorial

OKLAHOMA’S PROMISE
by Steve Fair

This week, Speaker of the House Chris Benge, (R-Tulsa) announced the approval of sixty-eight interim studies. An Interim study is the assignment of the subject matter of a bill to the appropriate committee for study during the period the state legislature is not in session.
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One of the studies approved by Benge was a request by State Representative Leslie Osborne, (R-Chickasha). Osborne wants to review ‘Oklahoma’s Promise,’ aka Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP) a program that helps pay for a college education for children from families that earn $50,000 or less (income averaged over a three-year period). Interested students have to apply for the program no later than in the 10th grade, take certain courses, maintain a 2.5 GPA and make no less than 22 on the ACT test to qualify. The students also have to keep their nose clean and stay out of trouble. Public, private and homeschooled students are eligible for the program. Homeschoolers were added to the program in 2007- eight years after the program began.
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Osborne’s study wants to find out how much Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, aka Oklahoma’s Promise, is costing taxpayers and if the plan is achieving the desired outcome. The study will also look at changes in the program since it was implemented and if the program has been successful. It’s been over ten years since the program began and OHLAP costs the state an estimated twenty million annually. Here are several suggested questions Osborne’s interim study should address.
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First, how many of the OHLAP college graduates are staying in Oklahoma after graduation? Retaining our best and brightest has been a challenge in our state. The primary reason we lose college grads is there are not enough high paying jobs in Oklahoma. You can’t blame Oklahoma graduates for there not being good jobs in the state, but we do need to know if Oklahoma taxpayers are educating other’s state’s workers by funding OHLAP.
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Second, can taxpayers/state government continue to afford to fund OHLAP? More and more students are applying for and qualifying for the free tuition program and with revenue shortages near record levels tough decisions are going to have to be made. No one wants to specifically cut OHLAP, but every taxpayer-funded program must be on the table for consideration in today’s tough economic times.
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Third, what percentage of college students who start under the OHLAP program actually complete college? Nationally fifty percent of students who start college don’t finish. Are OHLAP scholarship numbers similar? A study a couple of years ago showed OHLAP students did better than average. One consideration should be that an OHLAP scholarship recipient repays a portion of the taxpayer funds they got if they decide to drop out?
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Fourth, how successful are OHLAP program graduates? Where are they now and what are they doing? Tracking program grads will give us an idea of whether the program is working according to it’s initial objective which was to educate Oklahomans to move Oklahoma forward.
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OHLAP is not a classic entitlement program because it requires a student to show a great deal of personal responsibility and discipline. But it does cost taxpayers a lot of money and Osborne’s interim study should find out if taxpayers are getting what they paid for.
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A study a couple of years ago showed that OHLAP students had higher ACT scores, grade point averages, and college-going rates than the Oklahoma average. In fact, the OHLAP college enrollment rate of 80% exceeded the national rate for much more affluent students. The study also showed that OHLAP students had lower college remediation rates (27% v. 34%), and higher five-year degree completion rates than all first-time freshmen (47% v. 33%). It will be interesting to see if Osborne’s study reveals similar numbers.
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Oklahoma’s Promise aka OHLAP is helping many Oklahoma kids to get a college education that otherwise they might not get. That’s an honorable thing, but is providing higher education to its citizens a fundamental function of government? In a down economy, Oklahoma may be forced to renege on their ‘promise’ of free college.

Weekly Opinion/Editorial

FISHING BUDDIES!

by Steve Fair

Last week, Governor Henry vetoed Senate Bill #2052 which was authored by House Speaker Chris Benge, (R-Tulsa), and Senate President pro Tempe Glenn Coffee, (R-Bethany). The bill would have consolidated the Oklahoma State and Education Employees Groups Insurance Board and the Oklahoma Employees Benefits Council into one entity called the Oklahoma Health and Wellness Board. The consolidation was expected to save millions-an estimated 15% - in administrative cost alone. SB #2052 would have also set up a competitive bidding process for a statewide HMO. The bill passed both chambers in the state legislature by huge margins.
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Because many state agencies and school districts anticipated the bill becoming law, they built the anticipated savings into their 2011 budgets which means already challenging budgets become more difficult. Some of the largest state agencies will be impacted- The Department of Human Services had factored in $1.2 million in savings, the Department of Corrections $3.7 million.
So why did Governor Henry veto the bill? He says it was because the legislation was rushed and the bill didn’t have input from all the ‘stakeholders’ of health insurance. In his press release after the veto Henry said, “The bottom line is this was questionable legislation at best, drafted in secret and rushed through in the final hours of session.”
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The truth is, the Governor was aware of the legislation and had been for more than a year. Last year, Benge and Coffee created the State Employee Health Insurance Review Working group, which was comprised of a bipartisan group of House and Senate members and the state Insurance Commissioner, Kim Holland. The working group crafted the vetoed legislation based on the recommendations proposed in a report from a national insurance consultant, which was publicly released and sent to the governor in December 2009. Upon the release of the report, the Speaker’s staff also met with the governor’s staff to discuss the report and the potential for legislation.
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"This legislation represents common sense reform that was the result of 15 months of cooperative effort. All stakeholders were involved in the crafting of this legislation and many people gave a lot of time and effort to make this happen. The legislation was supported overwhelmingly in the House and Senate and was endorsed by the state and education employees associations," said Benge. "Rejection of this legislation will allow health care costs to continue to spiral out of control for our state, which is a major concern for every agency and state and education employee in this state. It is inaccurate to say that this legislation was not properly vetted."
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Oklahoma State Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland, a Democrat, said “The efforts of the House and Senate working group were thorough, deliberative and inclusive. Our goal was to maintain competitive benefits for our state and education employees and their families while reducing costs to those employees and to state agencies. We accomplished our goal and I am disappointed by the veto."
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Henry's veto, some claim, benefited Dr. John Bell, son of Norman attorney Richard Bell, one of Henry's earliest and most generous supporters. Dr. Bell is connected to an HMO company called GlobalHealth which solicits state employees business. The address for GlobalHealth and Dr. Bell’s office is one and the same. His dad, Richard Bell is Vice President of the Sarkey’s foundation in Norman where first lady Kim Henry serves as Executive Director.
Sarkey’s Foundation President is Terry West, a long time supporter of the Governor. Henry calls West, Uncle Terry. Both he and Bell have traveled to the Amazon twice on elaborate fishing trips with the Governor.
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Richard Bell was involved in the scandal over illegal campaign contributions in the financing of former Governor David Walters' 1990 campaign. He pled guilty to a misdemeanor and agreed to testify against Walters.
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"It is sad that this kind of speculation about the governor's motives(for vetoing SB #2052) are circulating," said a Democratic legislator who did not wish to be identified. "I hope there's nothing to it...the circumstances are curious, though."
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This was ‘no-brainer, win/win’ legislation. It would have streamlined state and education employee’s health insurance programs and saved money for the state and the worker. Health Choice premiums have increased an average of ten percent a year for the past decade and this bill would have slowed down that growth.
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"This is a very important issue to state and education employees, as well as all Oklahoma agencies," said House Speaker-Designate Kris Steele, R-Shawnee. "I intend to study this subject over the interim in preparation for the next legislative session."
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Whether the Governor was helping his fishing buddies out by vetoing SB #2052 may never be known, but as Oscar winning comedian Steven Wright says, “there is a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.”

The battle is ours-

the outcome is Gods

General Stonewall Jackson

STEVE FAIR'S ANNOUNCEMENT

CONCERNING THE OKGOP

CHAIR POSITION

When Oklahoma State GOP Chairman Gary Jones told me he was going to file for Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector and would likely step aside as State Party Chairman, I immediately thought, “WHY DON’T I RUN?” I have run a business (food brokerage firm), been in consumer product sales for over 35 years, and been a Party official and active at the grassroots level in the GOP for twenty years. Who is more qualified to be GOP State Chair than I am? The answer is- NO ONE is more qualified to run for State Chair than I am. No one has contributed a larger combination of their time, treasure, and talent into building the OKGOP grassroots than I have. No one wants to see America returned to the principles of our U.S. Constitution more than I do. No one wants to see lasting change in our federal, state, and local government more than I do.
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I received a few calls encouraging me to run and I appreciate those people who believe I am the person to lead the Oklahoma Republican Party. I believe they are right! I would, by God’s grace, be a good State Party Chairman.
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Four things the new Oklahoma Republican Party Chair must accomplish to leave a lasting, meaningful change in Oklahoma:

First, the new Chair must build a grassroots base of volunteers that can get principled, ethical people elected. We need to recognize that true lasting change will be from the bottom up. We need conservatives to run for school board, city council, and county offices. We need conservatives to serve on appointed boards and to get engaged and stay engaged ALL THE TIME. In order to accomplish that, we need committed volunteers.

Principled, ethical GOP elected officials should be at the forefront of helping build the Party. I have heard the comment from some Republican elected officials- “why should I help the Party- they didn’t help me.” Really? The GOP provided you an identity- the principles and platform of the Party helped ‘define’ you in the voter’s mind. If you don’t believe that- try running as an Independent the next election. Your unwillingness to help build the Party shows a lack of conviction and commitment to conservative causes or principles. It 'defines' you as selfish and overly ambitious. Republican elected official- if your county doesn’t have a functioning GOP organization, you should make it your goal to help build one- and the new State Chair should be pushing you to do it.
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Second, the new Chair must help recruit, train and retain a team of leaders at the County/District level that will leave a lasting legacy of change. All too often we have volunteers who we only see every two years from September- November. We need to keep volunteers engaged and involved. We want to wear out volunteers, not rust them out. By raising the visibility of the GOP in the county and having regular monthly meetings, Republicans can ‘educate’ the general public on issues. Boot Camps should be conducted in every district annually to train volunteers. The trainers should be veteran grassroots activists- not consultants or ‘shadow party’ groups/PACs. I find it amusing that we have people who have done nothing training volunteers to do everything.
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Third, the new Chair must build a small donor base that will fund the efforts of the Party. When a thousand people give $200, it will have more impact than when twenty people give $10,000. The new Chair must be someone who can ‘sell’ the vision of building the Party from the bottom up. That type of effort will not appeal to the ‘big’ money, because they recognize their influence would be diluted, but any lasting change has to include a building of a small donor base. There is no such thing as a 'free lunch,' and anyone who believes that big money donors don't expect something from their investment are naive.
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Fourth, the new Chair has to be fair. They have to let primaries determine the Party’s nominee- not the Party insiders. They have to give everyone a voice under fair and equitable rules. Senior elected officials should show respect for the rank and file Republican voter by ‘staying out the races’ until the primary is over.
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I believe I can do all the things listed. I believe God has given me- by his grace- the skill set, the work habits and the background to accomplish all the things necessary to be an effective State Party Chair.

BUT

I cannot get peace about taking a massive pay cut to be Party Chairman. If elected Party Chair, I would have to quit my job and at this point, I don’t believe that would be prudent or wise. The Party should consider moving to a system where the Party Chairman is not also Executive Director(requiring someone to be full time), but at this time that is not the case. One of two things should be done- either get the Chairman’s pay to the level it should be- a workman is worthy of his hire- or go to the system mentioned above.
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I also know that being Party Chair would require me to work with some people with an ‘R’ by their name that are not principled, ethical individuals. I don’t want to come across as being self-righteous because I am nothing but a depraved creature who has experienced the regenerating work of Christ, but I’m afraid being Party Chair would require me to deal with those whose selfish ambitions and goals are not pure. I am unwilling to compromise my convictions and practice situational ethics. I cannot either keep quiet or support people with whom I have little or no respect. I currently speak my mind in weekly editorials that are often critical of Republicans who misbehave or who abandon our principles or platform. As State Chair, my candor would not be appropriate nor appreciated.
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At this time, no ‘grassroots’ candidate for State Chairman has emerged. By God’s grace, perhaps one will before June 26th.

Weekly Opinion/Editorial

SCHOOLS AND MONEY!
by Steve Fair

Ever wonder how the local school district spends taxpayer money? Starting in January of next year, you can find out by accessing the Oklahoma Department of Education’s web site. The School District Transparency Act- Senate Bill #1633- was signed into law last week by Governor Henry. It will require that not only budget item totals but also individual expenditures be posted online.

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Authored by State Senator Randy Brogdon, (R-Owasso) and State Representative Gus Blackwell, (R-Goodwell), the bill will increase accountability and transparency in education. The bill is an expansion of Brogdon’s 2007 Taxpayer Transparency Act, which created a website to show taxpayers how the state spends their tax dollars.

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“In a time when every school district in our state is struggling financially, there is no room for waste. Our students need all the resources they can get, and my bill will ensure that public funds are used as efficiently as possible. This is the people’s money and we have the right to see how it’s being spent. By having every dollar accounted for, I believe we’ll see less and less waste in public school expenditures,” Brogdon said.

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Usually conservatives and the Oklahoma Education Association are not on the same page, but they appear to agree on this issue. In a posting on their website supporting the passage of #1633, the OEA said, “Increased accountability and transparency fosters mutual respect and trust between schools and the public.” The teacher’s union is hoping an ‘informed’ public will support increased education funding, but that strategy might backfire when taxpayers see how their money is actually being spent. Most money in Oklahoma is not spent in the classroom.

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Education funding is always an issue in Oklahoma and this year is no different. Let’s talk about SQ # 744.
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SQ #744- aka as the HOPE petition- will be on the ballot in November. It would tie Oklahoma’s common education(K-12) funding to the ‘regional’ average. SQ #744, if passed, could increase funding to common education by as much as one billion dollars annually. Oklahoma’s total budget in fiscal year 2011 is only 6.68 billion, so SQ 744 would increase total funding by 15%. The proposal doesn’t have a funding mechanism included, but it’s clear if it were approved, one or both of the following would have to take place.
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(1) A major tax increase. If SQ 744 passes and becomes a part of the State Constitution, legislators would have no choice but to raise taxes to generate the revenue. The most likely way to raise the money would be to increase the state income tax by 30-40%. That might be a hurdle because SQ 640 requires that any tax increase be voted on by the people.
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(2) A reduction in services. Estimates by the State House fiscal staff say that state agencies could expect twenty percent cuts if SQ #744 passes. There is probably twenty percent waste in state government, but to take funding from one state agency to give to education is foolhardy, particularly since there is no evidence that throwing money at education works. In Kansas, a similar plan is in place and the increased funding hasn’t resulted in higher test scores for students. The bottom line is that money doesn’t educate a child- teachers do.
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The worst part about SQ #744 is that it doesn’t require the money be spent in the classroom- where the real educating of children goes on.
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Fortunately, opposition to SQ 744 has strong bi-partisan support. Lt. Governor Jari Askins says about the proposal, “It has consequences far beyond what the promoters believe. It will cause problems.” And her opponent for the Democrat nomination for Governor, Attorney General Drew Edmondson says, ”I haven’t heard anything that would convince me to be in favor of it.” Brogdon and U.S. Congresswoman Mary Fallin, the two leading candidates for the GOP nomination for Governor are also opposed to SQ #744. This unfunded mandate in the middle of a budget crisis is irresponsible.

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In 1990, a scholar at the Brookings Institute Terry Moe said, “As for money, the relationship between it and effective schools has been studied to death. The unanimous conclusion is that there is no connection between school funding and school performance."

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SQ #744 would be devastating for Oklahoma. Vote no in November.

Weekly Opinion/Editorial

THINGS COULD GET WORSE!
by Steve Fair

Wednesday is the last day to file for elective office in Oklahoma. Over six hundred people statewide are expected to ‘throw their hat in the ring.’ Oklahomans will elect a U.S. Senator, Governor, Lt. Governor and seven other statewide officials. Party primaries will be held Tuesday July 27th. The general election will be Tuesday November 2nd. Five of the statewide offices are ‘open’ seats, meaning there is no incumbent, which creates a free for all in primaries. Currently Democrats hold eight of the eleven statewide offices. Just eight years ago, Republicans had eight of the eleven statewide offices, but voters took them away in 2004 & 2006 and gave them to the Dems. The GOP is expected to do well in November and pick up most of the statewide offices as well as seats in the legislature.
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The reason someone runs for office varies- from being committed to making a difference in their community to pure ego- but their path to election will be the same. All candidates have to face the voters and I know from experience, that is a humbling process. Voters are a fickle lot- they can love you one election and hate you the next.
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A candidate might have a more logical, common sense message, but his opponent has a better marketing campaign, and often, the more shallow campaign wins. Why? Because the average voter is not paying attention to the issues and base their decision on how they cast their vote solely on personality and fluff.
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Kenneth J. Levine, a professor at the University of Tennessee, says, “There are three influential factors in the voter decision-making process- personal identity, personal ethics, and personal benefit.” Levine is stating people vote for selfish reasons- to benefit themselves. That is probably accurate, but fundamentally, voters need to take their responsibility seriously in 2010.
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Voters should study the issues, know the candidates, attend debates, and meet and greets. They should ask candidates hard questions. Candidates unwilling to face the scrutiny or questions from voters shouldn’t be elected- no matter their party affiliation, personality or ethics. Candidates that ‘dodge’ the average voter and run big budget/detached campaigns financed by a few are sending the message they are selfish, self-centered, inaccessible elitists. As fellow blogger Mike McCarville http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/ says, “follow the money.” Any candidate who conducts their campaign in the above-described manner has either sold their soul or has the wrong motive for running and is not worthy to hold office.

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Candidates should be educators- explaining to voters what the duties and responsibilities of the office and the issues they will face if elected. They should be transparent and accessible. They should be willing to explain why they are running as a Republican or Democrat. Is their party affiliation for convenience or conviction? Do they believe the tenets in their party platform and if not, then why are they running on that ticket? Those are fair questions and ones that deserve answers. Candidates- from both parties- should know the position their party takes on major issues and be prepared to face questions on whether they agree or disagree with that stance.
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When a local Democrat elected official in Oklahoma states, “I am a Democrat, but I don’t believe what the Democrats stand for,” then ask them ‘why are you a Democrat?’ It’s a fair question and one any honest candidate should be ready to answer.
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As we enter election season, voters should use the following criteria to evaluate candidates (1) Which candidate is best aligned with my personal values/views? This includes Party affiliation and personal political philosophy. (2) Which candidate will best fulfill the duties of the office? Often times, the best candidate is not the best ‘marketed’ candidate. (3) Which candidate best understands the issues/challenges facing the office and can effectively do the job? Some people can point out the problems, but can’t provide or execute solutions.
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Democrats have done a terrible job leading our nation/state. From Obamacare to out of control spending, America is in real trouble. The fundamental problem is that Democrats have attempted to make us all equal. Alexis de Tochqueville said in 1835, “ Americans are so enamored of equality that they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom.” We can ill afford to continue moving in a direction that will make things worse than they are.
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Jeane (Duane) Jordan Kirkpatrick was born in Duncan, Oklahoma, the daughter of an oilman, Welcher Jordan and his wife Leona. She went to Emerson Elementary and then the family moved to Illinois. Kirkpatrick went on to become a member of President Reagan’s cabinet and the first woman to be United State Ambassador to the United Nations. Kirkpatrick once said, “Democrats can’t get elected unless things get worse-and things won’t get worse unless they get elected.”