Former legislator eyes AG post
Former state Sen. Scott Pruitt says he hopes to make a decision “in the near future” about running for state attorney general in the 2010 election.
Pruitt, a Republican from Broken Arrow, served two terms in the Senate before opting to skip seeking a third four-year term in 2006 to run for lieutenant governor. He narrowly lost the GOP nomination in a runoff to then-House Speaker Todd Hiett.
Pruitt, 41, is an attorney and managing partner of the Oklahoma City RedHawks minor league baseball team.
Pruitt said he is concerned about the federal government’s growing powers over state and individual rights. He said he wants to protect states’ rights against federal intrusion.
“We see the federal government taking steps that are very aggressive,” Pruitt said.
He said he is concerned about President Barack Obama’s administration allowing federal ownership of banks and General Motors and wanting to revise the country’s health care system.
More state lawmakers are thinking about pushing back against Washington’s growing powers, he said. It’s the role of the state attorney general to defend those actions, he said.
During his tenure in the Senate, Pruitt sought legislation to revise the state’s workers’ compensation system.
He said he would ensure the attorney general’s office would aggressively prosecute fraud in the workers’ compensation system.
Attorney General Drew Edmondson has said he is not seeking a fifth term. A Democrat, Edmondson instead is running for governor.
The only other announced candidate for the post is Ryan Leonard, an Oklahoma City attorney. Leonard, a Republican, is a native of Beaver and is a former legislative assistant to U.S. Sen. Don Nickles.
The filing period is in June.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
Watermelon feed at state Capitol
Visitors to the state Capitol tomorrow will be able to get a free sample of the state vegetable.
All state employees and visitors to the Capitol will be given a slice of watermelon, declared the state vegetable two years ago.
Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs, the Rush Springs Lions Club and watermelon growers in Rush Springs are hosting the event to promote the annual watermelon festival in Rush Springs.
The 2009 watermelon queen, Stacy Funk, also will be at the Capitol to serve watermelon.
The free slices will be available from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday in Room 412A at the Capitol.
The occasion is to publicize the 65th annual Rush Springs Watermelon Festival. It’s set for Aug. 8 at Jeff Davis Park in Rush Springs.
A rodeo will occur the evenings of Aug. 6 and 7, and a parade is scheduled for the afternoon of Aug. 7. An inaugural 5K run is scheduled for the morning of Aug. 8.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
Dean of the Capitol press corps to retire
Lt. Gov. Jari Askins gives retiring Associated Press capitol correspondent Ron Jenkins a proclaimation.
Today is the last day for Ron Jenkins, The Associated Press’ capitol correspondent.
Jenkins’ career has spanned nearly 30 years, countless election cycles and governors. He asks hard questions and is the encyclopedia of state government history in the press room. He is one of the few people in the capitol press corps with the ability to call out a grandstanding politician and still remain cordial with lawmakers at the end of the day.
I’ve learned a lot just by watching him work and listening to the questions he asks.
Jenkins also has the uncanny ability to be at all places at all times. You might think Jenkins doesn’t have the story because you didn’t see him at the event. Jenkins usually knows the story and has it written and filed to the wire sometimes before I get back to my desk.
During the legislative session, there are numerous events at the Capitol. Very few of them start on time, you spend a lot of time waiting for things to happen. Not Jenkins. Some how he manages to be at the right place at the right time. It’s rare you see him sitting in a conference room for 15 minutes waiting for a press conference to start. He arrives just in time. Efficiency to the fullest.
We’ve got three cakes in the press room for Jenkins today. We’ve just got to pin him down long enough to figure out when we can praise him — maybe embarass him a little and wish him well.
He assures us, he’s not dying. He’s just retiring. We’ll still miss him.
Representative calls for freeze on out of state travel
This release came from Rep. Richard Morrissette’s office this afternoon. If the state is having budget troubles, should lawmakers and staff be making out-of-state trips?
State of Oklahoma
House of Representatives
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2009
Representative Richard Morrissette
State Capitol Building Rm. 321
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
405-557-7404
Lawmaker Calls for Greater Fiscal Responsibility
Seeks freeze on out-of-state travel
OKLAHOMA CITY (July 22, 2009) State Capitol. Today Representative Morrissette called on legislators and state agency leaders alike to curtail unnecessary out-of-state travel in light of the state’s bleak budget outlook.
“In these uncertain times it is imperative that we prioritize the economic health of our most vital programs, and therefore sacrifice some of the luxuries that out-of-state meetings or conferences can provide,” said Representative Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City. “I don’t doubt that the information at these meetings or the opportunity to network among peers is beneficial, but there are other ways to obtain this information without charging the state transportation reimbursements or per diem costs.”
Since 2007 and up to July of this year House legislators have attended a variety of events and conferences which have cost the state $132,880.26 and counting. The bulk of reimbursement requests came during 2007, a non-campaign year, and totaled $98,321.12.
Early in the budget process attention was given to a projected 10% decrease in travel of all but public safety agencies. The higher education system was budgeted to receive $60 million for travel, while state agencies were budgeted to receive approximately $35 million.
“I understand that only the Corporation Commission at this time has announced furloughs for their state employees, in addition to trying to cut travel by 100 miles a week,” said Rep. Morrissette. “But I also know that Tulsa firefighters are being asked to take furlough days, as well as their police officers, and I believe that this trend will continue across the state as we all grapple with an increasingly dire economic climate.”
“However, we in the Legislature must lead by example, and resign ourselves to the fact that out-of-state events, while beneficial, are self-indulgent at this stage. We’re asking everyone to make hard choices, but the easiest is to cut unnecessary travel.”
“In the past I myself have traveled to the National Conference of State Legislatures – most recently being the July 2008 conference. Yet that occurred prior to the fiscal crisis we are now in. Since that time, I don’t believe it is appropriate for any state legislator to bill the taxpayer for voluntary enhancement trips.”
Rep. Morrissette will today file a House Resolution calling for a freeze on out-of-state travel for all state agencies, the Legislature and higher education, unless deemed official state business. Representative Jeannie McDaniel, D-Tulsa, filed a similar resolution of this nature during session but it was denied a hearing on the House floor.
Physician-lawmaker offers health care reform suggestions
Rep. Doug Cox, an emergency room physician, has come up with his a top-10 list that Congres should consider as they prepare to tackle health care reform. Cox, R-Grove, in preparing his list, today urged federal lawmakers to rethink health care reform and shift their focus to improving price and care instead of simply subsidizing coverage.
“There is no doubt that our health care system is broken,” Cox said in a news release. “And while I applaud President Obama for making this issue a priority, I am concerned his plan misses the mark. The reason health insurance costs so much is that health care costs so much. To simply try to subsidize insurance coverage without addressing the root problems in our system will place an undue burden on the American taxpayer and push our great nation to the brink of bankruptcy.”
Cox said his suggestions would generate cost savings without sacrificing quality; estimates the average office call in rural Oklahoma for a low-complexity visit could be reduced from $78 to $45.
Here are his suggestions. What do you think?
Problem 1: Physicians and hospitals are middle-men between insurance companies and patients, requiring a large number of personnel that are not involved in patient care, thus driving up the cost.
Solution 1: Insurance should be a contract between the insurance company and the patient with the patient responsible for the bill. Information on the physician/hospital statement should contain all information needed for a patient to file a personal claim and be reimbursed.
Problem 2: Access to test results between offices or office-to-hospital is limited. If a patient undergoes a test and winds up in the emergency room later, the results of that previous test may not be available to the new location. As a result, the test may be repeated at additional cost.
Solution 2: All medical test results should be kept in a central electronic repository, available to all physicians and hospitals.
Problem 3: Physician shortage.
Solution 3: Fund expansions of medical school facilities to handle larger classes, and fund post graduate training programs (residencies).
Problem 4: Physicians need to be more aware of the actual costs of the tests and treatments.
Solution 4: Provide for transparency in pricing, accessible to all.
Problem 5: Excessive consumer demand.
Solution 5: Establish clear treatment protocols that will decrease liability, educate consumers, and ensure physicians are using the most cost-effective treatment methods.
Problem 6: Defensive medicine – ordering excessive, expensive, and often unnecessary tests to provide an extra layer of insulation from lawsuits.
Solution 6: True lawsuit reform that gives real protection to physicians who practice medicine following “evidenced-based protocols.”
Problem 7: Insurance policies and mandates vary greatly from state to state.
Solution 7: One agency to regulate insurance companies nationwide.
Problem 8:Self-induced illness (such as diseases related to tobacco use and obesity).
Solution 8: Incentivize healthy life styles and healthy habits.
Problem 9: The present system prevents doctors from granting special rates to people on hard times.
Solution 9: Insurance companies and Medicare need to allow doctors the flexibility to adjust charges down for poor people without penalizing the physician.
Problem 10: Uncoordinated medical care. Patients self-referring to multiple specialists can result in fragmented care with no continuity and increased costs.
Solution 10: Americans should have a “medical home” with a primary care physician to manage their overall care, with an emphasis on prevention and specialty referral when indicated.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
Email highlights party fissures
Not all members of a political party have to agree with each other. In fact some may not even like what their fellow party members have to say, especially when lightning rod Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City comes into the picture.
That seems to be the case in the Oklahoma Republican Party right now. The Journal Record was apparently copied in on an email between a top OKC public relations firm and the head of the state party. In the email, Brenda Jones of Jones PR tells Gary Jones (I don’t think they’re related), that the Republican Party needs to stay focused on jobs and economic growth and stay away from “judgmental rhetoric on morality.”
Brenda Jones goes on to talk about how Kern and her husband, who is a minister, are “politicizing God’s pulpit” and “starting to look scary and a bit like that crazy church in Kansas.”
Brenda Jones’ email goes on to say:
”Gary, we can never build Oklahoma’s Republican Party as long as Sally is the face of our Party. Everyone keeps touting “Ronald Reagan.” As someone who worked for him very closely for 9 years and in The White House West Wing, he rebuilt and grew our Party by attracting Independents and Democrats by standing strong on economic issues and national security. Of course, he strongly opposed abortion and supported many family value issues, but he advocated for these issues from the heart and not a bully pulpit.”
The email closes with this final thought, and maybe even a warning:
This is very damaging to Oklahomans, Oklahoma Republican growth, and the Republican Party at the national level.
Kern is not known for her temperate or even middle of the road views. She is unabashedly right. Kern and her supporters caused quite a stir at the Capitol on July 2 when she had a signing for a “proclamation for morality” signed. The ceremony included counter protests from people who disagree with the premise the proclamation, which says America is on poor economic footing because of its lax morals. Kern’s group countered the protester chants by singing “God Bless America.”
Apparently Kern’s name is also a popular rally cry for groups that she has publicly been critical of, including homosexuals. During a recent showing of the new movie, “Bruno,” about a gay Austrian model’s antics in the United States, someone in the crowd shouted out Kern’s name.
I suppose that’s irony.
Is it raining yet?
The halls of the Capitol are quiet on this Monday morning, and the parking lot is looking a little sparse as well.
After last week’s dismal revenue figures, many state agencies are looking for ways to cut their budget even further. In a story published today by Michael McNutt, state Treasurer Scott Meacham says the state could tap into its Rainy Day Fund if revenues continue to fall below projections in the upcoming months.
Some state agencies are already dealing with a 7 percent cut in their budgets for fiscal year 2010, which began July 1. Other agencies were able to use federal stimulus funds to offset cuts and keep vital services going. But if this trend of low performing revenues continues, officials might have to make some tough choices.
The state’s Rainy Day Fund has $600 million in it — the highest the fund has ever been. The last time the state used the Rainy Day Fund was in 2003. Money goes into the state’s Rainy Day Fund when the revenue collections for the fiscal year are 100 percent over estimates.
In an issue brief published in May by the Oklahoma Policy Institute, the group advocated the state tap the Rainy Day Fund before the agreement for this year’s budget was even completed. The brief argues that while the rest of the United States was dealing with the shock of the economic crisis a year ago, Oklahomans were still riding the wave of high oil prices. That’s tapered off and now we’re seeing the results of a delayed recession.
Meacham says money from the Rainy Day Fund could be used when cuts start impacting services and employees. After last month’s revenue figures, state agencies have been given a month to come up with additional ways to cut their budget. Meacham wants to see those reccomendations within the month.
Four in the running for House seat
It appears primaries will be necessary to narrow down the nominees for a vacant western Oklahoma House seat.
Larry Peck of Sentinel is the second Democrat to announce his intentions to seek the House District 55 seat being vacated by Ryan McMullen. A Democrat and two Republicans earlier have announced plans to run for the seat.
Peck recently retired as an agriculture education instructor and FFA adviser at Sentinel High School. He farms, ranches and operates a family-owned business in the Sentinel area.
McMullen ended his five years of service as a legislator this week when was sworn in to the appointed post of director of rural development for the U.S. Agriculture Department.
McMullen was elected in 2004 to the House District 55 seat that covers Washita County and parts of Caddo, Canadian and Kiowa counties.
Republicans Todd Russ of Cordell, a city councilman, and Jeff Ledford of Hobart have said they plan to run for the House seat. Cordell Mayor Alex Damon, a Democrat, also has announced he will seek the post.
Peck said he would work to expand job opportunities in the district and is committed to a first-class public education and improving access to quality health care.
Gov. Brad Henry will set the dates for the special primary and general elections. He has about a month to set the dates. The elections will be before the end of this year.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
As turnpike fares go up, state eyes high speed rail funding
Getting to Tulsa is going to cost a little more once toll prices increase Aug. 4. So how much would you pay to take a high speed train from downtown Oklahoma City to downtown Tulsa?
That’s an option that’s on the table as the Oklahoma Department of Transportation vies for a piece of an $8 billion pie that would allow the state to upgrade it’s rails for high speed usage. Under plans from the Federal Railroad Administration, Oklahoma would be part of a corridor that starts in Tulsa, ends south in San Antonio and east in Little Rock, Ark.
Sounds promising, especially for music fans who are bleary-eyed and traveling to the BOK Center for shows or folks heading south to the Ford Center for a Thunder game. ODOT has applied for funding. They will know in the next few weeks if their request is worthwhile and can submit a final application by Aug. 24. Although construction and improvement of the rails for trains could take up to a decade to complete.
The state already has passenger rail service from Oklahoma City to Fort Worth, Texas, on the Heartland Flyer. That train stops along the way at smaller southern Oklahoma city, giving folks another alternative to the I-35 trek and bringing tourists to quaint downtown districts in Ardmore or other cities along the way.
While high speed rail is years in the future, I wonder if the train would continue its stops along the way. Would a route between Oklahoma City and Tulsa include stops in Stroud? Would the rail line be enough to breath life into the often desolate stretch between Oklahoma’s two metropolitan cities?
High speed trains in Europe, where it has been widely used for decades, usually don’t stop in every little town along the way. Towns along the route aren’t benefitting from the service. But it sure is nice to go from Barcelona to Valencia in just a few hours.
Improved passenger rail service in Oklahoma almost seems like a pipe dream. It would be a great way to modernize transit in this state. And maybe we could do away with that pesky turnpike rivalry that can become so tiresome. Could high speed rail unite the state? Maybe that’s another pipe dream.
Interest in House seat grows
A second Republican has announced his intention to run for a House seat that will be up for election this year.
Jeff Ledford of Hobart said today he will seek the House District 55 seat held by Rep. Ryan McMullen. McMullen, D-Burns Flat, has been appointed state director of rural development for the U.S. Agriculture Department. He intends to leave his House post this month; the governor has 30 days after McMullen resigns to set a special election.
Todd Russ, a Republican and a member of the Cordell City Council, said last week he will seek the House seat. Cordell Mayor Alex Damon, a Democrat, announced his intention this week to run for the post.
Ledford, 52, serves as a gubernatorial appointee on the board of state Commerce Department Rural Action Partnership Program, and on the Western Technology Center’s board of directors, the Hobart Economic Development Authority Board and on the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum’s board of directors.
He’s also a past president of the Hobart Chamber of Commerce. In 2008 he was recognized by Gov. Brad Henry and Workforce Oklahoma as southwest workforce investment area business leader of the year.
For the last 19½ years Ledford was employed by SKF, including 12 yeas as plant manager of the Hobart facility.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
