Veterans get boost to see monuments
Oklahoma is an official state hub of Honor Flight Network, Inc., a national nonprofit organization, the governor announced Monday. The organization raises money to organize and finance trips to the nation’s capital at no cost to the veteran.
The hub designation, Oklahoma Honor Flights, allows the state chapter to raise private funds to help pay the costs of Oklahoma veterans who are able to participate in the program.
It helps World War II service members and other veterans travel to Washington to visit the national monuments and memorials dedicated to their service.
“Unfortunately, many veterans never had a chance to see those monuments, largely due to a lack of resources,” Gov. Brad Henry said during Monday’s news conference at the state Capitol. “But now we can do something about that.”
Rep. Gary Banz, R-Midwest City, who led efforts to start Oklahoma Honor Flights, said it’s hoped the first flight can be made in May.
To donate to or help with Oklahoma Honor Flights, complete the appropriate forms a twww. oklahomahonorflights.org and mail them to: P.O. Box 10492, Midwest City, OK 73140. People also may call 259-9000 or fax information to 259-8260.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
2 more join congressional race
Two more contenders – a Republican and an independent – say they are running for the congressional seat held by Mary Fallin. Fallin, R-Oklahoma City, is passing up seeking a third term to run for governor.
Today’s announcements bring to seven the number of those considering running for the 5th Congressional District seat, which covers most of Oklahoma County and Seminole and Potawatomie counties. An eighth is thinking about it.
Clark Duffe of Edmond plans to announce his candidacy at 7 tonight at Mr. Chen’s Buffet, at NW 23 and Meridian Avenue.
Duffe, 52, is vice chairman of the Oklahoma Libertarian Party. However, because of Oklahoma’s ballot access laws, Duffe will be running as an independent. Tonight’s announcement comes after the Central Oklahoma Libertarian Party’s dinner.
Duffe said he wants to cut spending, audit the Federal Reserve, restore individual liberties, demand honesty and secure the borders.
Paul Arabie of Del City released a statement saying he is running as a Republican. Arabie, 77, said he doesn’t like the direction the country is heading.
Arabie said he would be a citizen legislator and is against special interests, saying he will not accept contributions from them. If elected, he pledges to serve only one two-year term.
Duffe and Arabie entering the race now put the number of contenders at seven – six Republicans and one independent.
Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Jeff Cloud, a Republican, said earlier this month he’s looking at entering the race.
Other Republican contenders are state Rep. Mike Thompson of Oklahoma City and former state Rep. Kevin Calvey from Del City, Dr. Johnny Roy of Edmond, Rick Flanigan of Bethany and James Lankford of Edmond.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
House race gets national attention
Russ won 56 percent of the vote in a largely Democratic district. House District 55, held by a Democrat since 1965. Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 2-1 margin in the district, which covers Washita County and parts of Caddo, Canadian and Kiowa counties.
Russ, 48, will succeed Ryan McMullen, a Democrat, who resigned the House seat in July to take a federal post. Russ, a member of the Cordell City Council, will resign his city post before taking his oath as a state legislator.
The Republican State Leadership Committee, the nation’s largest caucus of Republican state leaders, issued a statement congratulating Russ for his win.
“His victory in this overwhelmingly Democratic district sends a clear message that individuals want the ability to determine their own destiny by electing state leaders who understand the importance of a limited government,” said Republican State Leadership Committee President Scott Ward. “During these challenging economic times, Todd will get to work with his colleagues in the Oklahoma House to ensure that elected leaders help create an environment where the economy can grow and individuals prosper.”
Russ’ special election victory is the 20th win for Republicans in state legislative special elections across the country since the November elections, according to the Republican State Leadership Committee. Its goal is to elect Republicans to the office of attorney general, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and state legislator.
Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Todd Goodman issued a statement thanking the volunteers who worked for Democrat Larry Peck.
“The time that Mr. Peck spent on the ground, knocking doors and talking to voters, showed the people of House District 55 that Democrats are working for them and listening to their hopes and concerns,” Goodman said. “And the outpouring of volunteerism and support from Democrats across the state gives me hope for the upcoming 2010 elections.”
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
Candidate wary of possible CompSource sale
A state labor commissioner is cautioning legislators about privatizing the state’s workers’ compensation insurer, saying the transaction could result in higher insurance rates.
Jason Reese, a Republican, said the Republican-controlled House of Representatives proposal to privatize CompSource Oklahoma in order to recoup as much as $200 million in the state budget shortfall could have unintended consequences. A legislative task force that is studying privatization of CompSource was urged last week to sell the state agency to the highest bidder.
“Let’s not break our small businesses’ budgets in an attempt to balance our state government budget,” Reese said.
Workers’ compensation insurance is required by state law. Privatizing an “insurer of last resort” – often the only option for businesses in high-risk industries – may cause overall premiums to increase, said Reese, a former House staffer who served as an advisor to the chairman of a task force that looked at the workers’ compensation system.
“We must prevent privatizing profits while socializing losses,” he said. “We need to ask if privatizing CompSource is a gimmick to distract the Legislature from having to make the hard decisions about budget cuts. . . . This may be a temporary budget solution, but it fails to address long-term systemic issues and may serve only to help large out-of-state insurance companies.”
The bill that created the task force determined to privatize CompSource at a set date before it was decided whether privatization was a good idea and whether the state government would be entitled to the proceeds rather than the policy holders, Reese said.
The Labor Department oversees and enforces certain workers’ compensation regulations in Oklahoma. Reese is an Oklahoma City labor attorney who represents small- and medium-sized businesses in Oklahoma.
Officials with the National American Insurance Co. last week told a legislative panel looking at privatizing CompSource that agency’s sale would likely raise between $150 million and $200 million for the state. A competitive bidding process would require bidders to buy both the assets and liabilities of CompSource with all proceeds going to the state, officials said.
The task force is considering selling the agency or mutualizing it, meaning it would be owned by its members.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
Schwartz seeks third term in House
Rep. Colby Schwartz, who flirted for a time this year with running for lieutenant governor until dropping out last month, is seeking re-election.
Schwartz, R-Yukon, issued a statement this morning seeking his intent to seek a third term for House District 43, which includes parts of Oklahoma and Canadian counties. Filing period for the 2010 races is in June.
“I have spent the last month visiting with constituents in the Yukon and Mustang communities, and have been humbled and overwhelmed with their support of my efforts to run for a third term,” he said.
Schwartz said last month he withdrew from the lieutenant governor’s race because it had been difficult raising money.
According to his most recent campaign report, which covered fundraising activities through June 30, Schwartz had $26,432 on hand. He had carried over $16,603 from his House campaign account and reported raising $9,830 and spending $1.12.
Since announcing his bid to run for lieutenant governor, a Republican has filed papers seeking Schwartz’s post.
Michael Carnuccio, a former staff member for the House of Representatives who joined a lobbying group this past summer, has reported raising $13,900 and having that amount on hand as of June 30, according to his most recent campaign report on file with the state Ethics Commission.
Two Republican candidates remain in the lieutenant governor’s race.
Rep. John Wright, R-Broken Arrow, reported having $23,620 on hand, with most of that money carried over his House campaign account.
Sen. Todd Lamb, R-Edmond, reported raising $195,285 between June 12, when he opened his campaign account, and June 30, the end of the reporting period. He transferred $57,761 from his Senate campaign account, giving him a total of $253,046. He reported $413 in expenses, giving him $252,633 on hand as of June 30.
The lone Democrat so far in the race, Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau, reported having $155,957 on hand as of June 30. Corn reported raising $56,485 during the reporting period and spending $24,342.
Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, a Democrat, is not seeking re-election to run for governor. Democratic Gov. Brad Henry, elected to his first term in 2002, cannot run again in 2010.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
Could someone like Bellmon be elected today?
Could Henry Bellmon, a plain-spoken, no-frills candidate get elected today in this time when many candidates seem to rely mostly on quick sound bites and campaign consultants?
Yes, says Larry Stein, who worked for the Oklahoma Republican Party when Bellmon sought his second gubernatorial term in 1986, served as a deputy press secretary for Bellmon during that term and also covered him as a reporter.
“If he was 50 years old, 55 years old today, he could win a governor’s seat in Oklahoma because of the wealth of experience and knowledge that he brings,” said Stein, who now is chief deputy for Oklahoma County Assessor Leonard Sullivan.
Bellmon, who was Oklahoma’s first Republican governor, died last week at the age of 88. Many said Bellmon, who served two terms as governor and two terms as U.S. senator from Oklahoma, was a rare breed of being a statesman who worked with both political parties and stood up for what he believed in as well as being a visionary leader.
“Henry Bellmon never won a statewide poll, but he never lost a statewide election,” Stein said. “That’s the kind of leadership that transferred to the public, and they knew they could trust him to do the right thing.”
Bellmon was elected governor in 1962 and in 1986. The Billings farmer served two terms as a U.S. senator, winning elections in 1968 and in 1974. He started his political career in 1946 by being elected to the state House of Representatives.
Bellmon served in the Marines during World War II; he was a tank commander during fighting at Iwo Jima. After losing his re-election bid to the Legislature, he returned to his farm and eventually got involved in local politics; in 1960 he became chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party. He is credited with building up the GOP in the state.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
Bellmon’s funeral services set today
Henry Bellmon’s life will be celebrated today during funeral services in Edmond and in Perry.
Bellmon, Oklahoma’s first Republican governor, died Tuesday at the age of 88. He was elected governor in 1962 and in 1986. The Billings farmer served two terms as a U.S. Senator, winning election in 1968 and in 1974. He started his political career in 1946 by being elected to the state House of Representatives.
Bellmon served in the Marines during World War II; he was a tank commander during fighting at Iwo Jima. He returned to his farm after serving in the Legislature. He got involved in local politics and in 1960 became chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party. He is credited with building up the GOP in the state.
Gov. Brad Henry and his wife, Kim, plan to attend this morning’s service at the First Presbyterian Church in Edmond.
Those speaking will be Robert Henry, 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals chief who was Oklahoma’s Democratic attorney general during Bellmon’s second term as governor; Wilma Mankiller, former principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, Rodd Moesel, an Oklahoma City businessman, Russell Perry, publisher of the Black Chronicle and owner of Perry Broadcasting Co.; Gail Wynne of Enid, a Bellmon daughter; and two grandsons, Ben and Brok McFerron.
Officiating will be the Rev. Andrew Tevington, Bellmon’s former chief of staff, who is pastor of the Chapel Community, United Methodist Church of the Servant in Oklahoma City.
Speaking this afternoon at the First Presbyterian Church in Perry will be state schools Superintendent Sandy Garrett; Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis; Ed Kelley, editor of The Oklahoman; Pat Hoerth of Billings, a Bellmon daughter; and a grandson, Elliott Wynne.
The Rev. Rick Rhodes, senior pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Perry, will officiate.
Burial will be at the Union Cemetery in Billings.
Bellmon was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley. Together they had three daughters, Wynne, Hoerth, and Ann McFerron of Billings.
Shirley Bellmon died in 2000. In 2002, Bellmon married a longtime family friend, Eloise Bollenbach.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE13, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 or the Henry Bellmon Endowment, Oklahoma State University Foundation, P.O. Box 1749, Stillwater, OK 74076-1749.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
Bellmon’s body at Capitol today
Oklahomans will have the chance today to pay their respects to Henry Bellmon at the state Capitol, where the Billings farmer and former U.S. senator served two terms as governor and one term as a legislator.
The body of Bellmon, who died Tuesday, will lie in repose on the 4th-floor rotunda from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. His casket will be by the Will Rogers portrait. Family members and former staff members will be on hand to greet visitors.
Flags at the Capitol and on other state property are being flown at half-staff, as ordered by Gov. Brad Henry.
The last governor to lie in repose at the Capitol occurred in 1993. The body of Raymond Gary was on the second floor of the Capitol. Gary was elected in 1954 and served from 1955 to 1959.
Visitors may enter the Capitol from any of the entrances and may either take elevators or walk up to the 4th-floor Rotunda. All visitors will have to go through metal detectors at the entrances.
Two funeral services are set for Saturday.
Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Edmond and at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Perry. Burial will at the Union Cemetery in his hometown of Billings.
The family has asked that memorials be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 or to the Henry Bellmon Endowment, Oklahoma State University Foundation, P.O. Box 1749, Stillwater, OK 74076-1749.
Bellmon was elected in November 1946 to the state House of Representatives, but was not re-elected. He focused on his family and building up his farm, and in the mid-1950s became active in Noble County politics. In 1960 he was elected chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party; he developed a strong statewide base with chapters in each county. He couldn’t persuade anyone to run for governor in 1962 so he ran and was elected, becoming Oklahoma’s first Republican governor and the first GOP governor of a southern state since Reconstruction. Back then, governors in Oklahoma couldn’t seek re-election so he got involved in national politics and eventually ran for the U.S. Senate.
He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1968 and 1974. He didn’t seek a third term in 1980 and returned to Oklahoma. He successfully again ran for governor in 1986.
Bellmon’s accomplishments as governor included establishing Oklahoma’s CareerTech system and a state employees’ retirement program as well as backing legislation to exempt seed and fertilizer from sales tax during his first term. During his second term, he led efforts to pass a public education reform bill, House Bill 1017, which increased teacher salaries and reduced class sizes.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
Candidate actually running
State Sen. Kenneth Corn, running for lieutenant governor in 2010, will actually be running tomorrow.
Corn, D-Poteau, is taking part in the Oklahoma Caring Foundation’s 10-kilometer Capitol Challenge. It starts at 8 a.m. Saturday and takes place around the state Capitol.
The event is intended to help raise money to provide free immunizations and health care for eligible Oklahoma children, Corn said.
Corn, 32, is a runner. He works out at least three times a week at the gym and runs as often as his schedule allows, according to his campaign.
He participated in a half marathon earlier this year in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon.
Corn said he uses his workouts and running to improve his own health and to shed a few pounds.
“A lot of us are so busy with our every-day lives it’s difficult to get out for a few minutes each week to exercise,” he said. “When we don’t make time for ourselves, we put on weight and develop health problems. I struggled with my weight a few years ago. I finally made the healthy choice to exercise on a regular basis. Since then my weight’s dropped and I have more energy.”
Corn, who cannot seek re-election next year because of 12-year legislative term limits, is the only Democrat to announce for the lieutenant governor post. Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, elected in 2006, is not seeking re-election to run for governor.
Republican contenders for the state’s No. 2 executive post are state Rep. John Wright of Broken Arrow and state Sen. Todd Lamb of Edmond.
For more information about tomorrow’s Capitol Challenge, visit www.capitolchallenge.org.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
State treasurer heads to fair
State Treasurer Scott Meacham will be helping fairgoers today at the Oklahoma State Fair search for unclaimed property that may be held by the state.
The treasurer’s office is holding about $300 million that belongs to approximately 500,000 Oklahomans. His staff is operating a booth in the Cox Pavilion during the fair, which runs through Sunday.
Meacham will be at the treasurer’s booth at 2 this afternoon.
During the first four days of the fair, workers from the treasurer’s unclaimed property division found more than $100,000 for more than 180 people who visited the treasurer’s booth.
This is the ninth consecutive year the office has operated a “Pot of Gold” booth at the Oklahoma State Fair. Since first setting up booths at the state fairs in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, more than $3.2 million has been found for more than 8,200 fair patrons.
Last year, more than $400,000 was found for almost 500 people attending the Oklahoma City fair. A similar amount was found last year for attendees of the Tulsa fair.
Since becoming state treasurer four years ago, Meacham has returned almost $62 million to more than 67,000 Oklahomans.
Examples of unclaimed property include bank accounts, security deposits, old paychecks, royalties, rebates, stock and bonds. The contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes are also included.
The cash and property are turned over to the state treasurer’s office when the businesses holding them lose track of the owners. The unclaimed property division operates a searchable database at
www.treasurer.ok.gov.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
