THE TRENDS ARE LOOKING RED!

By Steve Fair

SoonerPoll recently conducted a poll showing the Oklahoma Republican Party is viewed more favorably than the Oklahoma Democrat Party. According to Bill Shapard, CEO of SoonerPoll, 55.1% of Oklahoma voters view Rs in a favorable light. That is up by 5.1% from last year. During the same period, the favorability ranking for the state Democrat Party dropped 5.1% to 38.7%. *****

OU political science professor Keith Gaddie says he thought the shift indicated a collapse of the “concept of the Oklahoma Democrat as a brand.” The latest poll results, which come in the wake of an election year that saw sweeping Republican gains in Oklahoma, seem to cement Gaddie’s inferences.

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“When you’re at the tail end of a realignment, one expects to see a convergence of party assessment across levels of office,” Gaddie said. “What we’re seeing in Oklahoma probably indicates the beginning of the sounding of bottom for the Democrats.”

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But it’s not just in Oklahoma where Republicans are making gains on Democrats. Since 1992, the Gallup Poll has conducted a national poll gauging the favorability ranking of the two major U.S. political parties. In 2006, the poll showed the National Democrat Party with a 52% favorability ranking, the National Republican Party at just 37%. But a poll conducted in September 2010 revealed the Rs and Ds are now tied- both with favorability rankings at 44%.

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The favorable rankings shift appears to be manifesting themselves in voter registration numbers in the Sooner state. As of January 15, 2011, there are 2,090,130 total registered voters in Oklahoma. 47.8% of those voters are registered Democrat, 40.6% are registered Republican and 11.5% Independent. The voter rolls grew by 51,510 in the past year. Republicans added 37,174 to their ranks, Independents 15,248 and Democrats gained only 88 voters. Since 2006, Oklahoma has gained a total of 80,157 voters. Republicans are up 69,927 voters, Democrats down by 21,110 and Independents were up 31,340.

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Voters who register Independent in Oklahoma have grown as a percentage of registered voters from 10.4% in 2006 to 11.5% in 2011. Just fifteen years ago, Independents represented only 4.7% of the electorate in Oklahoma.

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Why do people register Independent in Oklahoma? Since Oklahoma has ‘closed’ primaries, Independents only get to vote in the general election. Independents should research the platforms of both major parties and align with the one that best represents their values, so they can participate in the process in the primary.

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In Stephens County, Republican voter registration is up by 20% in the past five years. Democrat voter numbers have shrink by 9% during the same period. Republicans are now 35.6% of the registered voters, Democrats represent 55.6% and Independents are 8.7% of the total. In the past five years Democrats have lost 1,441 voters, Republicans gained 1,876 and Independents gained 559.

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Why are voters leaving the Democrat Party in Oklahoma and Stephens County? There are two primary reasons. First, Oklahoma is a conservative state and the Republican Party is more conservative than the Democrat party. The Ds positions on social issues such as abortion and same sex marriage have pushed conservative Democrats to the Republican Party. Another issue where the two parties polarize is the right to bear arms. Second amendment advocates are fleeing the Party of Jefferson in record numbers.

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Second, just eight years ago, Democrats controlled the Oklahoma legislature, the Governor’s office and most of the statewide elected offices and had for over a century. In the not so recent past, Republicans being elected to county offices in rural Oklahoma was as rare as a good hair day for Donald Trump. But times have changed. In November, Oklahoma voters gave Republicans control of Oklahoma state government. All statewide elected officials and both chambers of the legislature are controlled by Republicans for the first time in state history. That has made it easier for citizens to align with their values. The old argument that you had to be registered Democrat to participate in the process in rural Oklahoma just doesn’t hold water anymore.

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Many elected officials in Oklahoma with a D beside their name are ashamed of what the national Democrat Party stands for. It’s clear that at some point some Democrat county elected official or legislator is going to show that courage and switch Party affiliation. It will be interesting to see where and when.

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Just because Republicans are viewed favorably by 55% of Oklahoma voters, it doesn’t automatically mean we get better government or that Republicans can coast. It just means the public believes the campaign promises and messages the Rs ran on in 2010. The key is for Oklahoma Republicans who were elected delivering that message to now execute what they promised; otherwise the Republican ‘brand’ could collapse like a house of cards.

Weekly Opinion Editorial

GOVERNOR’S POWER SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE!
by Steve Fair

The office of governor in Oklahoma has less power than the governor in other states because Oklahoma voters directly elect more of our state agency heads. Texas, for example, directly elects nine of their statewide officials, Oklahoma eleven. Some legislators want to make the governorship more powerful in Oklahoma and are running legislation to get it on the ballot to amend the state constitution.

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Representative Scott Martin, (R-Norman) is the author of HB #1208 which would allow Oklahoma’s governor to ‘clean house’ when they are elected. Martin’s bill would allow the governor to appoint their own state board and commission members instead of inheriting the previous governor’s appointments. In other words, when a new governor is appointed, every citizen on a state board would be required to resign and the new governor would appoint someone who agrees with them philosophically.

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“When the people vote for change, for a new governor, that change can be thwarted by board and commission members who aren't currently answerable to that governor,” Martin says. Martin’s bill is targeted at the State School Board, which is loaded with Democrats appointed by former Governor Brad Henry. The board has given newly elected Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi fits over personnel issues in recent meetings.

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I understand the reasoning behind Martin’s bill and agree the actions of the current state school board have been very partisan and out of line, but moving to a rubber stamp board that blindly answers to the governor is a mistake. If a governor is allowed to load up partisans on a board, it takes away the very purpose of the boards and commissions- citizen oversight. These boards and commissions should not be a ‘rubber stamp’ for anyone. If that is what elected officials expect from private citizens they appoint to a board, then what is the purpose of even having citizen’s boards and commissions?

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Senate Bill 435, by Senate Pro Tem Brian Bingman, (R-Sapulpa), would change the state school board's makeup from private citizens appointed by the governor to include the governor and three statewide officials. Bingman’s solution is to dissolve the state school board and go back having a board made up of statewide elected officials. This makes more sense than Martin’s proposal, but what happens if the statewide elected officials are from different political parties or different philosophies? We would likely have the same conflict we have on the state school board today.

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Another proposal SB # 622, by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, (R-Midwest City) would let the governor appoint four of the statewide offices that are now elective. Alridge wants to let the Guv appoint the state superintendent, treasurer, insurance commissioner and labor commissioner. The right of the citizens to vote on elected officials should never be taken away and that is what Aldridge’s proposal does.

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The legal powers of governors vary from state to state. Some governors are strong while others are relatively weak. Nearly all have president-like powers to appoint top executive officials, propose legislation, and sign or veto bills passed by the legislature.
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According to the National Governor’s Association website, “While governors share many common characteristics across the states, the specific powers and responsibilities vary considerably from state to state. As a result, governors are often ranked as more or less powerful based on the combination of their powers and responsibilities and the political situation in their states. The factors used in ranking gubernatorial power often include such things as the number of separately elected executive branch officials, tenure potential, appointment power, budget power, veto power and gubernatorial party control. Overall, the power of governors appears to be increasing over time.”

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The disappointing thing about these bills is that it is doubtful they would be on the table if a liberal Democrat were governor. But since a Republican is there, some of the Rs mistakenly believe it is time to clear up an error by our founders in letting us elect so many statewide officials. Maybe Will Rogers was right when he said, “Democrats are the only reason to vote for Republicans.”

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Oklahoma’s founding fathers used wisdom is giving the state a constitution that gives citizen voters the power to elect the heads of important state agencies. That power should not be taken away and given to the governor- no matter what their party affiliation.
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Britain’s Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher has this to say about power: “Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.” These proposals are unnnecessary- leave the powers of the Oklahoma governor alone!

UNBIND THE TAXPAYERS!

by Steve Fair

Binding arbitration is an alternative to judges or courts. It settles disputes between two parties- often consumers and businesses- by working out a deal through an independent, third party body. Binding arbitration frequently saves time, money, and energy when two parties disagree over wages, a contract, the performance of a service, or the exchange of goods.

In 1994, the Oklahoma legislature amended the 1971 FPAA Act by including modified binding arbitration as one of those rights for police and fire fighters. I say modified because Oklahoma's ‘binding arbitration’ for police and firefighters is only binding if an award in favor of the municipality or city is final. An award in favor of an employee group may be appealed by the city to a vote of the people.

Last week the Oklahoma State Senate passed Senate Bill #826 to reform the states binding arbitration law for public employees. The bill barely passed off the Senate floor squeaking by on a vote of 25-16. Five of the Nay votes were Republicans- Senators Barrington, Russell, Reynolds, Shortey and Schulz. The bill’s author, Senator David Holt, (R-OKC), says the reforms are necessary to create a more fair and equitable system for taxpayers who bear the results of binding arbitration.

“Under the system that was narrowly approved by the Legislature in 1994, when municipalities and their unions can’t agree on an employment contract, the dispute goes to an arbitration board,” said Holt, R-Oklahoma City. “The deciding arbitrator is usually an out-of-state attorney recommended by the federal government. As a result, someone who has no stake at all in our communities makes a decision that greatly impacts Oklahomans and our wallets. This bill creates a better environment to arrive at a decision that respects the taxpayers.”

Holt wanted to remove binding arbitration for public employees altogether, however that’s not what SB #826 does. Holt said that among the reforms in SB #826 is a provision authorizing the State Supreme Court to train Oklahoma arbitrators. The bill also contains language to ensure salary comparisons used for deciding contract disputes between municipal employees and the city are an apples-to- apples comparison. The bill also protects tax dollars that the citizenry would reasonably expect to be outside an arbitrator’s discretion- money like a cities’ rainy day fund.

As expected, many of the unions oppose the bill. According to State Senator Roger Ballenger, (D-Okmulgee) he’s heard from several law enforcement and fire officials who have problems with the compromise. “To say that this is leveling the playing field is just another way of saying that this gives the cities an advantage over those hard working men and women who risk their lives every day,” Ballenger said.

The Oklahoma State Fraternal Order of Police supports the bill according to Bobby Stem, their lobbyist. Chalk Norton, a lobbyist for Professional Firefighters of Oklahoma, said while he has worked with Holt on the bill, his group has maintained it would prefer no changes to the current laws on the books on binding arbitration.

Police officers and firefighters have always been American heroes. We cheer them in parades, want to be them when we grow up, thank them for their service when we are grown up, and recognize that without them, our communities are at a vast disadvantage. The work these heroes do is selfless, exceptional and essential.

And so it makes sense that a community is willing to go to bat for its police officers and firefighters, no matter the cost. I have heard people say you can’t put a price on peace of mind, yet when it comes to peace of mind provided by police and fire, there is a price. And at a time when our local budgets across our state are facing shortfalls and many are well into the red, it’s time to consider seriously what to do about the price of things, public safety among them.

The increase in pay or benefits that a municipality does have to provide following an arbitrator’s decision must come from somewhere and that somewhere is the taxpayers. Binding arbitration gives the arbitrator the power to restructure an entire city’s priorities or agenda. Even with the appeal process in Oklahoma, the unions are very effective at getting out their vote in the low turnout elections.

By sending disputing parties to arbitration, a city avoids a public safety strike and police and fire are guaranteed that an employer won’t stonewall wage or benefits requests. But since Oklahoma began binding arbitration, the cost of the process has increased astronomically, the need for it has decreased, and the price of peace of mind has become burdensome for taxpayers. Holt and Martin are on the right track. It’s time to ‘unbind’ the taxpayer.

LIL SISTER DOING OK!

By Steve Fair

For years, Lawton, Oklahoma was the little sister to Wichita Falls, Texas. That is rapidly changing. According to the 2010 census, Lawton grew 4.4% in the past decade to a population of 98,867. During the same period, Wichita Falls gained just 365 residents to a population of 104,553.

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Wichita County, Texas actually lost population the last decade. Down -4.3% since 2000, the counties population now stands at 125,894. Meanwhile, Comanche County, Oklahoma grew +7.9% during the same period to a population of 124,098. Comanche County has more land mass- 1084 square miles to Wichita County’s 633 square miles, but the two counties' population is almost identical.

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The similarities between the two cities are striking- both have major military installations- Wichita Falls has Sheppard AFB, Lawton has Fort Sill. Both rely heavily on those installations to provide jobs. According to the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce, Sheppard provides over 12,000 jobs. The Lawton COC says Fort Sill provides about 5,000 to their community. Both have similar demographics and climate. The cost of living is about the same in both cities- around 15% less than the national average. Why has Lawton grown in the past decade and Wichita Falls remained flat in population growth?

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First, Lawton took a major step to become less dependent on the ever changing military with the addition of the Goodyear Plant in 1979. It has taken a while for ‘lil sis’ to catch up, but the diversity strategy has worked. Lawton has added several other manufacturing plants and defense contractor offices to their private sector employers list, while Wichita Falls has become increasingly dependent on public sector jobs. The top seven employers listed on the chamber’s web site are taxpayer funded jobs- schools/county hospitals/city employees.

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Second, the 2005 BRAC Commission was not as kind to Sheppard as they were to Fort Sill. The Commission relocated the 882^nd Training Group from Sheppard to Fort Sam Houston. The final number of personnel that were relocated is uncertain, but the move clearly hurt the Wichita Falls area. At the same time, the commission moved the Army Air Defense Artillery School, the 6^th ADA Brigade, and its accompanying equipment (including the MIM-104 Patriot Missile Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Missile defense system) to Fort Sill from Fort Bliss, Texas. The influx of additional personnel to Fort Sill was expected to be about 4,500, though those numbers have not yet materialized.

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Lawton has a ways to go before it can claim domination over her southern neighbor but if current trends continue, when the next census is taken in 2020, Wichita Falls will be the little sister.

POPULAR VOTE WOULD HURT OKLAHOMA!

by Steve Fair

The Electoral College established in Article II of the U.S Constitution is probably misunderstood by the majority of Americans. Most Americans are puzzled as to why the founding fathers established a system that does not elect the President and Vice President by popular vote.

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The way the Electoral College works is that each state is allocated the number of electors that correspond exactly with their number of members of Congress. Oklahoma has seven (7) electoral votes- we have five(5) members of the U.S. House and two(2) U.S. Senators. There are 538 total electors from the fifty states and Washington DC (3). In order to win the White House, a Presidential candidate must get 270 electoral votes. When you vote for the President, you are actually voting for a slate of electors, who are bound by Party rules and law to cast their vote for the person who wins the majority of the popular vote in their state.

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While the Electoral College may seem cumbersome and unnecessary, there are at least two important reasons why the founding fathers established it.

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First, the Electoral College promotes a ‘republic’ form of government as opposed to a ‘democratic’ form. The United State is a democratic Republic. We are not a pure democracy. The chief characteristic and distinguishing feature of a Democracy is: Rule by Omnipotent Majority. Pure democracy is nothing short of mob rule. Congressman Ron Paul, (R-Texas) says, “Sadly, we have forgotten that states created the federal government, not the other way around. The Electoral College system represents an attempt, however effective, to limit federal power and preserve states' rights”

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Second, when the founding fathers were establishing the federal government, smaller States like Rhode Island feared they would have no voice, and therefore no protection, against the more populous States like New York or Massachusetts. Similarly, the sparsely populated agricultural regions feared an inability to protect their interests against the fishing and shipping industries dominant in the more populous coastal States.

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The electoral college system tends to over represent voters in smaller States; and no matter how small a State is, it is guaranteed at least three (3) electors because, as explained by James Bayard (a U. S. Representative and U. S. Senator under Presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison), the electoral college supplied a “means of self protection to a small State without resources.”

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For example, the current combined numbers of electors in the eight smallest States in the U.S. (Alaska, Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Wyoming, Montana, and Rhode Island) produce the same number of electors as the single State of Florida even though Florida has a population more than three times greater than those eight smaller States combined.

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Yet, on the other hand, if a candidate wins California and its 54 electoral votes, then that candidate is one-fifth of the way to the 270 electoral votes needed to capture the presidency. Thus, while California accounts for only eleven (11) percent of the nation’s population it can provide twenty (20) percent of the electoral votes needed to obtain the presidency. The Electoral College system therefore preserves a sound balance between population centers and between diverse State and regional interests, incorporating elements both of popular and of State representation in its operation.

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Oklahoma State Senator Rob Johnson, (R-Kingfisher), and State Representative Don Armes, (R-Faxon) have introduced SB 841 which would establish the agreement among the states to elect the President and Vice President by popular vote and abolish the Electoral College. The bill has passed out of the state Senate Rules Committee and will be voted on the entire Senate within the next couple of weeks.

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This is not the first attack, nor will it be last, on the Electoral College. One of the biggest advocates of abolishing the Electoral College was Andrew Jackson in 1828. Normally the attacks come from the liberals, but now it seems more and more Republicans are jumping on board.

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Rick Green from Wallbuilders was in Duncan in January and forewarned us about the renewed attack on the Electoral College across the nation. “Do not be fooled into believing that Americans do not directly elect a President under the Electoral College system. The genius of the electoral system was how it takes into account the diversity of the population of the country and the rights of the states in the process,” Green said.

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The motivation behind the introduction of SB #841 isn’t clear, but if the authors believe moving to a national popular vote will get Oklahoma ‘more attention’ in the Presidential race, they are sadly mistaken. It will do exactly the opposite. Please contact your State Senator and ask them to vote NO on SB 841.