Veterans group endorses Calvey
Iraq Vets for Congress announced today it is supporting Kevin Calvey to replace U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin, who is not seeking re-election in order to run for Governor.
Leaders lead by example and Kevin Calvey set a great example, said Kieran Lalor, Chairman of Iraq Vets for Congress. Calvey joined the Army National Guard after the start of the Iraq War, at age 37, when he was already a businessman and elected official.
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Coburn Reports on Stimulus Waste
Sen. Tom Coburn released a report this morning on 100 projects being funded by stimulus money in which there may be less than meets the eye.
“Rather than growing our economy, the overall impact of stimulus spending may prove to be harmful to our economy. For example, Washington’s efforts to ‘stimulate’ the economy are increasing utility costs, repairing bridges nobody uses, building tunnels for turtles, and renovating extravagant train stations in remote areas while widely-used bridges and roads in poor shape are passed over,” Coburn said.…
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Shumate to aid in minority teacher recruitment
State Rep. Jabar Shumate, D-Tulsa, has been appointed to the Minority Teacher Recruitment Advisory Committee by House Speaker Chris Benge.
Shumate said it would be an honor to serve on the committee, which oversees the Minority Teacher Recruitment Center.
“I am excited by this appointment,” Shumate, D-Tulsa, said. “The Minority Teacher Recruitment Center was set up to help recruit minority teachers to Oklahoma public schools and I am proud to take part in overseeing its operation. Minority teachers are often role models who inspire students from diverse backgrounds to pursue higher education, so it is very important to increase their numbers in Oklahoma schools.”
The committee is made up of a 19-member panel.…
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The Best and Worst
If only we could make such a list.
I’d have a few lists from the legislative session. Best dressed, best debate, who has the best candy in their offices, etc. Those are the inane things that come to mind sometimes after a long day of listening to bills move through the floor.
But, The Oklahoma Observer can use it’s mighty pen to name the ten best and the ten worst House and Senate members of the Legislative session that ended in May.…
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Askins continues state travels
Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, who has crisscrossed the state many times to attend and speak at various events since taking office in 2003, won’t be slowing down her pace, especially now that she has an announced Democratic opponent for governor.
Askins, the first to announce she’s a candidate for governor in 2010, is scheduled to speak Friday to the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce in Lawton.
Attorney General Drew Edmondson ended months of speculation when he announced Wednesday he is a Democratic candidate for governor.…
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Obama Taps Former OSU Prof. for Pentagon Post
President Barack Obama has announced his intention to nominate Joseph Westphal, who once headed the political science department at Oklahoma State University, to be the Under Secretary of the Army.
Here is the bio provided by the White House:
Joseph Westphal is University System Professor of Political Science at the University of Maine where he also served as the Chancellor of the University of Maine System. Mr. Westphal recently served as a member of the Obama-Biden Transition for the National Security Team working on Defense matters.…
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Lucas Warns About Global Warming Bill
In advance of a House Agriculture Committee meeting on Thursday about the impact global warming legislation will have on agriculture, Rep. Frank Lucas gave a short speech on the House floor today warning that the bill “has the potential to permanently damage the standard of living for every man, woman, and child for decades to come.”
Lucas, of Cheyenne, is the top Republican on the Agriculture Committee.
He said, “A thousand-page bill of this magnitude deserves thoughtful consideration and debate. Instead, Speaker Pelosi is rushing it through Congress to the detriment of all of us.”
The bill is expected to come to the House floor some time this summer.…
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Edmondson's in the 2010 governor's race
Attorney General Drew Edmondson as expected announced today he’s running for governor.
He’s the second Democrat to announce plans to seek the post in 2010. Two Republicans also have announced. The filing period is next June.
Edmondson, speaking to about 100 supporters gathered in the Blue Room in the state Capitol, said he’s ready for new challenges.
“As attorney general, I’ve fought to protect Oklahomans from crime, I’ve stood up against special interests and I’ve taken on corrupt politicians,” Edmondson said.…
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Edmondson to announce political plans
Attorney General Drew Edmondson, who has been pondering the past six months whether to run for governor, is expected today to announce whether he will seek the post.
Edmondson has scheduled three news conferences today across the state to discuss his political plans.
Edmondson, who said in January he isn’t seeking a fifth term and was contemplating a gubernatorial bid, is holding news conferences in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and in his hometown of Muskogee. The Democrat’s first event is at the state Capitol, where he began his political career as a state representative in 1974 and he will end up at the county courthouse in Muskogee, where he was elected district attorney in 1982, 1986 and 1990.…
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Boren Praises Kim Henry
U.S. Rep. Dan Boren, D-Muskogee, paid tribute to Oklahoma First Lady Kim Henry on the House floor today, and congratulated her for being named executive director of the Sarkeys Foundation, a charitable organization that focuses on Oklahoma needs.
“Your hard work and dedication to the state of Oklahoma doesn’t go unnoticed,” Boren said on the floor.…
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