Weekly Opinion Editorial

GRASSROOTS LEAVES LASTING CHANGE!

by Steve Fair

A platform is defined as a declaration of the principles upon which a person, a sect, or a party proposes to stand; a declared policy or system. The Republican Party has a platform. It is compiled every four years and voted on at the national convention. The platform is a large document divided into various categories and states the position of the Republican Party on most major issues of the day.

Where does the Republican Party get their platform? It all starts at the precinct level- the grassroots. Resolutions are presented by registered Republicans at their precinct meetings and those resolutions are then voted on at the County, State, and National convention, with discussion and debate along the way. Ultimately those resolutions, if approved, make their way into the Party platform and provide a formal statement of the basic principles, objectives and official positions of Republicans on major issues.

Because the platform resolution process starts at the grassroots level, it can often get contentious. It’s not uncommon to see tempers flare when issues are discussed or debated, but as Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. “ It can be a tenuous process, but in years past, several resolutions first presented in Stephens County, Oklahoma have ultimately made their way into the national GOP platform.

On Saturday March 5th, the Stephens County Republican Party will hold our county convention. It will convene at 10am at the Stephens County Fairgrounds. Registration will begin at 9am. There is a $10 delegate fee. The main order of business will be election of the Stephens County Republican Party officials- County Chairman, Vice Chairman, State Committeeman and Committeewoman and District Committeeman and Committeewoman. The terms for these offices are two years and the only qualification is to be a registered Republican within the county.

The second order of business will be the determination of how the Stephens County GOP will be seated as a delegation at the State GOP convention. The state convention will be held May 7^th in OKC. Stephens County has twenty (20) delegates to the State Convention. If the SCGOP votes to be seated as an “Open” delegation, any registered Republican in Stephens county can be credentialed and vote at the state convention.

The third order of business will be consideration of platform resolutions. Those submitted by precincts will be considered as well as resolutions presented by individuals from the floor. If you are a registered Republican and are passionate about something you want included in the national GOP platform, here is your chance. Put it down on paper, bring it Saturday and present it to the convention.

In recent years, our county convention has been held at night. This year, our local Party voted to revert back to a Saturday morning format. It allows our statewide and federal elected officials more opportunity to participate in the process. Fourth district U.S. Congressman Tom Cole will address the convention immediately after we convene on Saturday morning and Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones will keynote the convention later in the morning. We plan to adjourn by noon.

If you are a registered ‘R’ and have been waiting for an invitation to get involved in your government- here it is: All registered Republicans are encouraged to show up Saturday! You shouldn’t come simply because you like Party politics or because you don’t have something to do, but because the future of our country is at stake and the only way to make a difference is to get involved.

Grassroots politics is the only politics that will leave long term lasting change in government. When common or ordinary people lock arms and unite around a cause, the results are amazing. Start your grassroots participation by attending Saturday. It will be an investment in good government you will not regret.

Weekly Opinion Editorial

THE SCHOOLMARM’S RULER!

by Steve Fair

On Wednesday, the State House Rules Committee will vote on two proposed property tax reforms sponsored by State Representative David Dank, (R-OKC). Dank says his two bills could be the most important of the 2011 legislative session.

*****

"Oklahoma is out front on a number of vital reforms this year, but if we fail to address the issue of ad valorem tax reform, we will be sending a message that we are just not serious about restraining the growth of government," said state Rep. David Dank (R-Oklahoma City).

*****

What Dank wants to do is allow the citizens of Oklahoma to vote on a two (2) percent annual cap that would limit future property tax increases and to place a permanent freeze on property tax levels for seniors over 65 for as long as they own their homes.

"If ever there was a bipartisan issue, this is it," Dank said. "Despite what some opponents may claim, this is not a tax cut. It would not reduce revenue for schools or counties by a single penny. It is merely tax restraint."

*****

Back in 1996, Oklahoma voters overwhelmingly passed SQ 676 which placed a five (5%) limit on property tax increases. Voters were led to believe they were voting for a ‘maximum’ increase of five percent, but an Attorney General’s opinion in 2001 said property tax must increase at five (5) percent until it reached the assessed value of the property. One man, Jack Edens, an OKC newsman, warned of the fishhooks in SQ 676, but his warnings were largely ignored. Now county government throughout the state uses the five (5) percent like a schoolmarm with a ruler, whacking property owners every year with ‘mandatory’ increases.

*****

"The current 5-percent allowable annual increase in ad valorem taxes is the only automatic tax increase on the books," Dank says. "Imagine the uproar if income or sales taxes went up 5 percent every year."

*****

According to the Tax Foundation, an organization whose stated goal is to educate taxpayers about sound tax policy and the size of the tax burden at all levels of government, Oklahoma property tax rates are among the fasting growing in the country.

The Tax Foundation also says Oklahoma's taxpayers have gone from the 42nd highest state and local tax burden in 1977 to the 19th highest in 2008. Estimated at 9.8% of income, Oklahoma's current state/local tax burden is just above the national average of 9.7%. Oklahomans pay $3,761 per capita in state and local taxes. For more information go to their web site, http://www.taxfoundation.org/

*****

"The hardest hit is seniors, who have not seen a cost of living increase in Social Security or most pensions in two years," Dank claims. "That annual extra 5 percent property tax increase, along with increases in expenses like gasoline, utilities, Medicare premium increases, prescription drugs, insurance premiums and groceries are literally driving many of them from their homes into nursing homes, which wind up costing the taxpayers much more."

*****

Last legislative session, Senator Jim Reynolds, (R-OKC) sponsored SJR5 which capped the annual increase in property taxes at 2.5% or the rate of inflation, whichever was less. The Joint Resolution passed the Senate, but did not get a floor vote in the House because then Speaker of the House Chris Benge, (R-Tulsa) opposed the proposal, calling SJR5 a ‘tax cut.’ “I just don’t think that the timing is good to reduce revenue,” Benge said. Reynolds proposal did not ‘cut’ taxes- it only slowed down the growth of taxes.

*****

“Not only are his statements out of touch with the core Republican principle of limited government we were sent here to espouse, they are factually incorrect,” Dank said about Benge’s opposition.

*****

Benge is no longer in the legislature, so it’s a better than odds on chance that Dank will get his proposals voted on in the House. If his bills get through the Senate, Governor Fallin is likely to sign them and so it’s very likely the voters of Oklahoma will be considering Dank’s proposals on the ballot as State Questions in 2012.

*****

Anytime a revenue stream to government is threatened, bureaucrats fight like crazy. They never want to give up any money that might jeopardize their livelihood. Dank’s proposals make sense and will move Oklahoma forward. The people should be allowed to vote on amending the State Constitution to slow down the growth of property taxes.

*****

It’s time the voters of Oklahoma took the ruler away from the schoolmarm.

TORT TIED TO HEALTH CARE!

by Steve Fair

Last week, the State Senate Judiciary Committee met and passed five bills that if signed into law would represent real tort reform in Oklahoma. The five bills would eliminate joint and several liability, establish a cap on non-economic damages at $250,000, and allow damages to be paid out in periodic payments and not just in a lump sum. They would also require that juries be informed of the tax implications of any awards an injured party might receive. Tort reform is a key agenda item for the Republican led legislature this session.

*****

“We have been working on lawsuit reform for years, taking mostly an incremental approach because we did not have the numbers or a Republican governor to support strong reforms,” said Senator Anthony Sykes, (R-Moore), Judiciary Committee Chairman. “These bills protect Oklahomans, our doctors and our businesses from frivolous lawsuits.”

*****

“Oklahoma is way behind the curve on these reform measures. Just a few short years ago a Democrat President Pro Tem wrote a letter to encourage attorneys in other states to bring their lawsuits to Oklahoma because we had not enacted these reforms that our neighbors had,” said Sykes. “We are sending the opposite message today, Oklahoma will no longer be known as a lawsuit destination state.”

*****

The lawmaker Sykes is referring to is former State Senator Stratton Taylor (D-Claremore). In 2003, Taylor sent a solicitation letter to national trial attorneys encouraging them to bring their lawsuits to Oklahoma after Texas passed similar lawsuit reform to what Sykes is proposing.

*****

"With recent events that have occurred in Texas, you may be looking to file cases in Oklahoma," Taylor wrote, adding that "I wanted to take an opportunity to introduce our law firm."

*****

Taylor’s letter made its way to the Wall Street Journal, the business community’s newspaper. They attacked his brazen abuse of ‘forum’ shopping and in a December 19, 2003 editorial, wrote, “Average Oklahomans are likely to continue to see higher insurance costs, fewer doctors, and all of the other troubles that come with an out-of-control tort system. In short, you're doing fine, Texas. Oklahoma? Not OK.”

*****

Sykes’ proposals have naturally encountered opposition from trial lawyers- both Democrats and Republicans. In blogs, faxes and emails, the barristers contend Sykes hates the U.S. Constitution and is no conservative. Never mind that Sykes is himself an attorney and has achieved a near perfect conservative rating by the Oklahoma Constitution.

*****

The medical community has been crying for tort reform for years in the Sooner state. Back in 2006, the Oklahoma Alliance of Physicians for Tort Reform surveyed 775 Oklahoma physicians and found that eighty seven(87) percent practiced ‘defensive medicine.’ That means the docs ordered more testing or conducted more patient visits than they normally would because of the threat of a lawsuit. Twenty five percent said they had either quit practicing medicine or were leaving the state to escape the high malpractice insurance premiums in Oklahoma.

*****

Sykes said that Oklahomans will not only benefit economically by reducing frivolous lawsuits but the state will also be more attractive to doctors seeking to establish practice.

*****

In a state with a shortage of physicians, that is a good thing. “Oklahoma is dead last in most rankings of number of practicing physicians per 100,000 people,” says Dr. James Hess, vice president for health care administration for the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. “We’re not producing enough doctors and our physicians are a higher average age than physicians in other states. A perfect storm is coming.” “The situation is very bad. The demand for physicians is already outstripping the supply and bigger shortages are coming,” concurs Dr. Dan Duffy, director of the community medicine track at OU School of Medicine in Tulsa. “We’ve been asleep at the wheel.”

*****

Lawsuit reform is a necessary step in improving Oklahoma’s long term health care. Sykes has taken a personal career risk by carrying this legislation. The personal injury trial lawyers will not go down without a fight because true tort reform would dramatically impact their livelihood. The ‘ambulance chasers’ are certainly within their rights to protect their turf, but painting themselves as ‘Protectors of the Constitution’ is a stretch.

Weekly Opinion Editorial

LEGISLATURE SHOULD PROCEED WITH CAUTION!
by Steve Fair

The 53rd Oklahoma legislature convenes today. One of the first bills they will consider is SB #718. The bill, if passed and signed into law, would effectively strip the State Board of Education of its authority over the Department of Education.
*****
The bill has been predicated because of the actions of the board toward newly elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi. The board, composed of all Democrats, blocked three of her five hires in a very contentious, partisan first meeting.
*****
“As a statewide-elected official chosen by the citizens of Oklahoma, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi must be allowed to hire her own staff and implement promised reform at the Department of Education,” said Speaker of the House Kris Steele, (R-Shawnee). “Senate Bill 718 will give her that authority. It is important to advance this necessary reform so we can truly begin the important work of improving Oklahoma schools to benefit all children of this state.”
*****
After reading my op/ed in last week’s Duncan Banner, Dennis Howard called me to discuss the State Board of Education/Janet Barresi controversy. Howard, a Waurika native, was the Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture under former Governor Keating. Dennis has been involved in Oklahoma politics for decades, starting his political career driving for Henry Bellmon when the former U.S. Senator was campaigning for Governor. Howard is now a professor at Langston University. Dennis has served in several capacities in several past Republican administrations. In the 1980s, he was appointed to the State School Board by Governor Bellmon.
*****
Howard said there came a time when the conservative Rs appointed by Bellmon became the majority on the board and began to question the actions of then School Superintendent Sandy Garrett. The Democrat controlled legislature passed legislation to effectively render the board irrelevant. The Democrats did exactly what the Republicans plan to do with SB #718.
*****
I know the temptation to do what the Democrats did years ago to a Republican controlled board seems timely and prudent. After all- turn about is fair play, but Republican lawmakers need to proceed with caution. ‘Neutering’ a board of citizens and a constitutionally established entity because of the actions of some partisan members of a board is not the right course of action.
*****
One thing the legislature should do is remove the State board’s oversight on personnel. A statewide elected official must be able to hire their own key staff members. All of the people that Barresi wants to hire are qualified. The board’s actions in not giving her the freedom to put together her own team was out of order and clearly partisan.
*****
The second thing that should happen is any board member who is unwilling to follow the prescribed duties of the position should resign. To remain on the board simply to obstruct Barresi’s agenda is flat out wrong. That clearly appears to be the motives of at least two of the more vocal members of the board, but some of the other members are voting with them and their motives should be questioned as well. They were appointed for oversight, not to engage in political debate.
*****
I like Janet Barresi. I consider her a friend, but just because she won the November election doesn’t mean she should be immune from a constitutionally established board. After all the hoopla that was generated from the recent board meeting, perhaps the current board members will rethink their stance or resign. One of the most vocal critics of Barresi, Tim Gilpin, will go off the board in April. The situation might very well resolve itself without a legislative fix.
*****
If lawmakers simply ‘redefine’ the State School board’s responsibilities, they send a message to every citizen who serves on citizen oversight boards that unless you do exactly as we want, we will pass legislation to make you irrelevant. Citizen boards were established because they do not have to face voters. They can make tough decisions and not face re-election. Doing away with oversight is not what Republicans are about. Barresi and the board should be allowed time to work out their differences.
*****
After listening to a recording of the meeting, it is clear the Democrat board members were not happy Barresi was elected. Their behavior was rude, insolent, disrespectful and unprofessional toward her and her staff. However, everyone makes mistakes and now that they know the public is watching, the next board meeting might be more civil and productive.
*****
Some have pointed out the only statewide elected official that has a ‘citizen’s oversight board’ is the Superintendent of Public Instruction. They think that’s unfair and perhaps it is, but like it or not, the State Board of Education was constitutionally established forty years ago(1971) and cannot be eliminated without a vote of the people.
*****
With an annual budget of over three billion dollars and over four hundred direct employees, the State Department of Education is a huge agency. Barresi should be given the freedom to build her team and implement her agenda- with proper oversight as prescribed by the State Constitution.
******
Because Republicans now have control of the process means we should proceed with caution and think of the consequences of our actions. SB#718 might seem like a good idea today, but it's unintended consequences might hurt Oklahoma.

Weekly Opinion Editorial

OVERSIGHT SHOULD NOT BE PARTISAN!
by Steve Fair

Last week, Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Baressi had her first meeting with the State Board of Education. The meeting, which received a lot of media attention, was contentious to say the least. The meeting had loud exchanges, name-calling and some inappropriate statements made by members of the board.
*****
It was reported that during the meeting one member, former State Senator Herb Rozell, stated the agency’s new legislative liaison Jessica Russell would be ‘worthless’ to the board if she took maternity leave during the legislative session. Rozell’s remark had Russell so upset she left the room in tears. A couple of Republican legislators called for his resignation. One said he regretted his vote to confirm Rozell as a board member. Rozell has said he was just joking and has offered to apologize to Russell.
*****
The Oklahoma state board of education is composed of seven members- one from each of the five congressional districts, one at-large member, and the Superintendent who presides over the meetings. All members of the board, with the exception of the Superintendent are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate. They serve for six (6) year terms and their terms are staggered so that one member’s term expires every year.
*****
The current board members are Tim Gilpin, a Tulsa attorney; ex-state Sen. Herb Rozell, of Tahlequah; Betsy Mabry, 1993 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year; Sue Arnn, of Ardmore, an educator who has served on several boards; Gail Foresee, of Shawnee, an educator who served two years on the Governor’s Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Committee; and Gayle Miles-Scott, of Oklahoma City, an assistant accounting professor at the University of Central Oklahoma. Her sister is the embatted District Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange. All current board members are registered Democrats. Baressi is the first Republican to be the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the first new Superintendent in twenty(20) years.
*****
The state board of education is charged with determining the policies and directing the administration and supervision of the public school system in the state. The board was created back in 1971 after Oklahomans approved State Question #481. From statehood until 1971, the Governor, the AG, the Secretary of State, and the State School Superintendent served as the State Board of Education. All of the current members of the state board of education were appointed by former Governor Brad Henry, a Democrat.
*****
During the meeting, the board did not approve three of the five staff members Baressi presented, saying they were not qualified for the positions they were being hired. The three positions are the three most critical to the agency- Chief of Staff, Communications Director, and Finance Director. One member of the board stated they believed approval of the staff was a function of the board and that Baressi’s appointment of her campaign manager to the Chief of Staff position was political patronage.
*****
Some conservatives immediately said they wanted the state board of education dissolved. They want to give Baressi the freedom to implement the the education reforms she campaigned on. After all, Baressi was elected by the people and the board is composed of appointees who don’t have to face the voters. Some others want the legislature to ‘neuter’ the board with legislation. In my opinion, that is not what needs to be done.
*****
First, oversight is good, so long as it is not partisan. The state board of education should not be dissolved- it should perform oversight. Granted, the board’s actions this week were clearly partisan. In a statement sent to CaptialBeatOK, State House Minority Scott Inman, (D-OKC) said “State law makes it clear that the Superintendent answers to the Board of Education, not the other way around. I commend the members of the Board of Education, who performed their duties according to state law.”
*****
Former Governor Brad Henry does not share Inman’s viewpoint. On Flashpoint Sunday, Henry said he believes Baressi has the right to hire her own staff. The board’s actions were clearly partisan and not oversight. If the current board members are so partisan that they are unwilling and unable to work with Baressi, then they should resign. When people don’t agree, it’s completely understandable when they part company. To remain on the board just to slow or obstruct Baressi’s agenda is dishonest and clearly not what the voters mandated when she was elected.
*****
Second, Baressi faces a huge challenge- a contentious board, a down budget, underfunded teacher pensions, and an Oklahoma education establishment that just doesn’t get it. Her education reforms are needed to move the state forward, but Baressi should remember what Abraham Lincoln said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

Weekly Opinion Editorial

ZERO BASED BUDGETING!
by Steve Fair

In two simultaneous events, Oklahoma State Senate leaders announced the Senate agenda last week. In Oklahoma City, Senate Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, (R- Sapulpa), and in Ardmore, Assistant Majority Leader Senator Anthony Sykes, (R-Moore) presented the upper chamber’s agenda for 2011.
*****
The Senate plans to support tax reforms that lower the tax burden on individuals and businesses and balance the state budget by prioritizing spending. They pledge to finally ‘really’ reform the state’s workers compensation system. They plan to rank public schools and allow school districts the ability to remove low performing personnel. And finally they will commit to the already established eight year transportation plan that addresses Oklahoma’s critical bridge and road needs.

*****
“Our commitment as Republicans is to make Oklahoma a better place to create jobs and grow your business,” stated Senator Brian Bingman, (R-Sapulpa) who is the Senate Pro-Tempore. “We are optimistic about Oklahoma’s future because our state is well positioned for growth and economic development” continued Bingman. “We are not letting off, we will continue to pursue job creating policies and allow people to thrive here in Oklahoma.”

*****
“We are honored to represent the people of Oklahoma,” said Senator Anthony Sykes, said in Ardmore. “We are presenting this as a commitment because we take these issues very seriously.”

*****
The first item on the agenda will be the most challenging- lowering the tax burden on Oklahomans and balancing the budget. Oklahoma state government faces a potential budget shortfall of more than 600 million dollars this fiscal year, which is about ten percent less than what the state had to spend last year.

*****
Oklahoma has a ‘rainy day fund.’ In essence, this constitutional mandated fund is a saving account for government. Some critics of the rainy day fund say it is unnecessary and gives government a ‘crutch’ for the lean years. They have a valid argument. Government shouldn’t be squirreling away taxpayer money in good times to spend when times are bad- they should be collecting only what is absolutely necessary to operate and returning the difference to the people who earned it.

*****
Two years ago, Oklahoma’s rainy day fund had over $600 million in it. Today the balance in the rainy day fund is only $2.03. The $600 million is gone. The legislature spent it to make up for economic downturns the last two fiscal years.

*****
If the Oklahoma State Senate wants to make a real difference, they need to implement zero based budgeting in state government. In zero-based budgeting, every function is reviewed All expenditures must be approved, rather than only increased. Zero-based budgeting requires the budget request be justified in complete detail starting from the zero-base. The zero-base is indifferent to whether the total budget is increasing or decreasing. In other words, every dime must be justified in the budget- no ‘history’ of what an agency has gotten in the past is relevant. Zero based budgeting is time consuming and exhaustive, but if implemented, it would make Oklahoma government more efficient and accountable.

*****
Back in 2003, the Oklahoma legislation mandated that ‘zero based budgeting’ would be used for a four-year cycle, but because of the complexity of the reviews and the great amount of material the reviewers had to assimilate, the process was abandoned. The reviews of agency purposes, procedures and productivity was more depth than the annual appropriation process allowed for a part time legislature, so Oklahoma went back to the same old appropriations process, which is in essence- tell us what you got last year and we will either up it or cut it.
*****

Zero based budgeting is a lot of work for everyone involved in government. It would work if first, we have strong committed leadership dedicated to the task. If those appointed to the appropriations process are unwilling to truly assess every item in an agency’s budget, word will get out that ZBB is more talk than action. Second, ZBB wouldn’t have to be done for every agency every year. A comprehensive review every three to five years should be sufficient. That would allow the legislators to perform an in-depth analysis on an agency’s budget, which will reveal both areas of waste and areas of deficiency. Third, the ZBB process should reference all aspects of an agency and what their goals are. This shouldn’t just be about numbers- it should be about performance.
*****

Probably the main reason the legislature doesn’t want to implement zero based budgeting is the sheer magnitude of the reviews and the demands on members and staffs time. But Oklahoma taxpayers need to know if they are getting what they are paying for. If Oklahoma public servants really want to make state government more modern efficient and effective, then inventive ideas like ZBB must be seriously considered.

Weekly Opinion Editorial

NO EXCUSE!
by Steve Fair

Last Monday, at the Oklahoma State Capital, I visited with State Senator Todd Lamb in the Lt. Governor’s office. In less than an hour, Lamb was going to be sworn in as Oklahoma’s sixteenth Lt. Governor. I congratulated him on the occasion and after some pleasantries, Lamb stated in a very serious voice, “Steve, please pray for me and hold me accountable.” I promised him I would do both. Later, as I sat in my seat awaiting the start of the inaugural with snow falling, I thought of how appropriate Lamb’s request was.
*****
First, praying for our elected officials is a command of scripture. All Christians should pray for those who rule over us. Paul said in 1 Timothy 2, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour"

******
America has always been a nation of prayer. Since the first call to prayer in 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation to Abraham Lincoln, often called the Savior of the Union, proclaiming three fasts, Americans has been asked to pray for their country.

*****
During the Civil War, Lincoln called the nation to prayer and fasting for national peace and unity. Lincoln's second call on March 30th, 1863, was to repent as a nation through prayer and fasting. Honest Abe's third proclamation was the first Thursday of August 1864. He made a special plea for those in positions of authority to seek God with fasting and prayer.
*****

Evangelist Billy Graham says we should not only pray for our leaders on a personal level, but also collectively. “We also should come together to pray, for God is pleased when His people are united in prayer,” Graham says.
*****

Pastor John Piper offers an example of a prayer for Christians for an elected official: "We pray, Lord, that our leader would have a humble demeanor and be open to truth, that he would be granted wisdom beyond his native capacities, and that he would make no snap judgments or knee-jerk reactions but take all factors into account. We pray that policies, procedures and laws would be put in place that would not hinder the gospel but give free reign to its spread." You can word anyway you want, but pray for our elected officials whether they request it or not.

*****
Second, in a representative form of government, it’s critical we hold our elected officials ‘accountable.’ Because most citizens have jobs and busy lives, they don’t have time to ‘monitor’ every vote an elected official makes. However, with the advent of the Internet, bills moving through the Oklahoma legislative process can be accessed and viewed by concerned citizens through both legislative chamber websites. The State House website is http://www.okhouse.gov/. The State Senate website is http://www.oksenate.gov/. Other organizations like the Oklahoma Family Policy Council http://www.okfamilypc.org/and Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs http://www.ocpathink.org/homepage/have web sites that are excellent sources of information on what is happening at 23rd and Lincoln.
*****

The Oklahoma legislature opens in early February and will adjourn at the end of May. During the four months, they are in session, legislators will consider a thousand or more bills. Only a few will receive a lot of media attention, but most will impact your life. Regularly monitor the websites listed and call your elected officials to inquire as to what is on the radar screen. Stay informed.

*****
Oklahoma Republicans campaigned last year on radically reforming Oklahoma government. A record number of GOP candidates were swept into office. Republicans now control every statewide elected office for the first time in state history. It’s clear that Oklahoma voters brought their message. If the newly elected Republican Governor and Republican led legislature execute what they campaigned on- moving Oklahoma to a smaller, more efficient government, they will move the Sooner state to new heights. While we must pray for them, we must also hold them accountable.

*****
Governor Fallin said in her inaugural address, “It is crystal clear in my mind from my experience as a public official, we do not need more government, what we need is better government – and more efficient and effective government services.”

*****
If Oklahomans do not get better government-more efficient and effective government- Republicans have no one to blame but ourselves. We can’t blame it on the Democrats. We have no excuse to not produce.