ScissorTales » State government

The sixth seat

j.e. mcreynolds — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:48:03 +0000

Democratic Party activist Susan McCann (Your Views, Feb. 10) took issue with my analysis in ScissorTales last week that President Barack Obama’s “Hope and Change” message falls flat in Oklahoma. Of course the evidence for this is overwhelming: Obama didn’t win in even the most heavily-Democratic counties in a state in which Democrats held a significant registration advantage over Republicans. I have little reason to believe Obama will do any better the second time around. But the rope of hope is always available for the grasping. McCann said it’s only a matter of time before “progressives” will outnumber conservatives in Oklahoma City. We heard something similar in 2010 from supporters of 5th Congressional District Democratic nominee Billy Coyle, who said a Democrat could indeed win the central Oklahoma seat that hasn’t been held by a Democrat since 1974. That seat was open in 2010, and Coyle was an excellent nominee. But he got less than 35 percent of the vote — and Obama wasn’t on the same ballot. Perhaps it’s only a matter of time before a Democrat will represent Oklahoma City in Congress. It would help if the state would grow enough to restore the sixth congressional seat it lost after the 2000 Census. Were that to happen, redistricting could center the district more in the urban core and less in the fringes. As things now stand, though, Republicans would be in charge of the redistricting. Still, Democrats should hope that the state GOP’s pro-growth policies will lead to a population change that will result in adding a sixth seat. Right now the Republicans are headed by a governor who took 57.5 percent of the vote in the county that McCann says is steadily marching toward a “progressive” majority. The governor’s predecessor, moderate Democrat Brad Henry (a frequent target of scorn from “progressive” Dems) won the county with 63 percent. Yet the moderate Democrat nominated for governor in 2010 got 42.5 percent. Is this really a matter of time? Or is it a matter of values?

Giving it another try

owen canfield — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:53:33 +0000

Numerous legislative efforts through the years have failed to put much of a dent in the number of uninsured drivers in Oklahoma. This evergreen topic blooms again with a bill by Rep. Steve Martin, R-Bartlesville. Martin wants suspicion of driving while uninsured to be considered probable cause to make a traffic stop. That suspicion could be piqued through use of the state’s online verification system, which lets police know whether a vehicle they have pulled over is insured. Uninsured vehicles can be impounded after traffic stops — but driving an uninsured vehicle is not probable cause to make a stop. If Martin’s bill were to become law, he said, more vehicles could be cited or towed “without the need for the driver to break other laws at the same time.” It’s worth a try, at least until the next attempt comes down the pike.

Fighting for a cause

owen canfield — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:46:18 +0000

Fighting Sioux -- March 22, 2010 AP File Photo

The University of North Dakota’s Fighting Sioux nickname isn’t going away without a fight. The nickname was among several the NCAA deemed “hostile and abusive” in 2006. The NCAA threatened those schools with sanctions if they didn’t change their nicknames and logos. The university dropped its nickname and logo — the profile of an American Indian warrior — last year after the repeal of a state law requiring the school to use them. This week, organizers of a petition drive delivered about 4,000 more signatures than are required to put the question to voters. The university’s president then said the school would resume using the nickname until the referendum process is completed. Good for them. The NCAA was wrong to bully schools such as UND and others. We’re still waiting for it to put the squeeze on the Fighting Irish of the University of Notre Dame. Not hostile and abusive enough, apparently.

Polar opposites

lindsay walle — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:43:56 +0000

The income tax plan in Gov. Mary Fallin’s State of the State address has drawn opposite reactions from the state’s two leading public policy think tanks. Michael Carnuccio, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, praised Fallin’s boldness. David Blatt, director of the Oklahoma Policy Institute, said the proposal “would bust a huge and permanent hole in the budget.” The details of the plan must still be worked out, and one think tank leader is optimistic as the other urges caution. “We can clearly see that when the dust settles, Oklahomans will keep more of their hard earned money next year,” said Carnuccio. Blatt wants the governor to get more input on the tax policies so they’ll be “fair to all Oklahomans and adequate to our state’s responsibilities.” We’re hopeful about tax reform this session and encourage the Legislature to take the next steps with a combination of courage and wisdom.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin delivers her State of the State address on the floor of the Oklahoma House in Oklahoma City, Monday, Feb. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Garett Fisbeck)

Exit pols

j.e. mcreynolds — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:36:07 +0000

Early, voluntary departures are taking a toll on Democratic clout in the Legislature at a time when Republican successes at the ballot box have taken a toll on the Democratic head count. Senate Minority Leader Andrew Rice, D-Oklahoma City, resigned from his leadership post and left the state before the term-limit clock ran out. Former House Minority Leader Danny Morgan, D-Prague, says he’ll leave the Legislature before terms limits force him out. Former Senate Democratic leader Charlie Laster, D-Shawnee, is leaving early as well, putting his final three-plus years on ice. We thought term limits would change the makeup of the Legislature; we never thought so many lawmakers wouldn’t stay for the whole 12 years they’re eligible to serve. Laster filled the seat vacated by Brad Henry when he left the Senate to become governor in 2003. Henry, by the way, is technically eligible to serve another couple of years in the Legislature.

Photo by Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman

No more middle man

lindsay walle — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:25:42 +0000

When managing a tight budget, cutting unnecessary expenses is a good place to start. House Bill 3111, filed by state Rep. Jeff Hickman, R-Fairview, would end the state government’s role in collecting dues for labor unions. Currently, state agencies and school boards use automatic payroll deductions for Oklahoma Public Employees Association membership dues and Oklahoma Education Association contributions. While processing the payroll deductions doesn’t cost the state millions, bank drafts and automatic credit card charges are two alternatives with zero cost to the state. “This modernizes state government and takes advantage of the advances in financial technology that will allow unions to continue to collect dues in an efficient manner without the State of Oklahoma paying to be the middle man,” Hickman said. Taxpayers should appreciate the prospect of anything free, and we hope this effort to join the 21st century finds favor with legislators.

Do as we say…

j.e. mcreynolds — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:11:25 +0000

Graphic by Steve Boaldin

A single adult with one child needs a “living wage” of $16.74 an hour in Oklahoma County, where the state’s Democratic Party organization is based. The party touts itself as “a voice for workers’ rights and respectable wages, at both the state and national levels.” So how much does the party pay its own employees? The lowest wage at party headquarters is $11.63 an hour, which is more than the “living wage” for a single adult but considerably less than the rate for a single adult with one child. Also, in a list of 22 occupations, only three are typically compensated at a lower rate than the party pays. The party seeks to offer “competitively-priced options” for employee insurance. Not only is there a disconnect between what the party pays and what it thinks others should pay, but it seems to like competition in the health insurance field — something that its all-out support for Obamacare doesn’t jibe with.

Meal time

owen canfield — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:56:05 +0000

State Rep. Mike Reynolds has the right idea with an attempt to keep lobbyists from buying legislators’ meals at the Capitol. Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, was moved to act after the Oklahoma Ethics Commission voted last week for a proposed rule that would let lobbyists provide lunch or dinner for groups of legislators at the Capitol. The rule also wouldn’t require lobbyists to identify which lawmakers got the meals. Legislators who like the idea argue that a meal here or there won’t sway their decisions on bills. That’s debatable. What isn’t debatable is that lawmakers, many of whom get per diem of $148 per day along with their generous salaries, don’t need free lunches. They can pay for their own, and should.

Going to pot

mark green — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:19:44 +0000

Democrats running for governor and U.S. Senate in California might get a boost from a ballot initiative that would make possessing and growing marijuana legal. Politico reports experts believe Proposition 19 will drive younger-voter turnout, which should help Barbara Boxer, running for Senate re-election, and Jerry Brown, running for governor. The state’s Democratic Party is neutral on the “Just Say Now” measure, and Brown, Boxer and fellow U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein oppose it. Still, analysts believe it will help Brown and Boxer because recent polling shows the under-40 demographic supports pot legalization 59 percent to 33 percent. Of course, that assumes pot enthusiasts actually get to the polls to vote.

Lebron’s taxing decision

mark green — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:17:17 +0000

Lebron said it was about getting rings, and without question winning championships is a big reason the NBA’s biggest star — a member of the panoply of first-name-only stars that includes Michael, Shaq, Larry and Magic — is leaving Cleveland for Miami. James said he wants to win, and it appears the Heat is poised to do so with him, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade in the fold for next season. But it’s always about the money, too. And while there’s lots of comment about the $4 million Lebron reportedly left on the table by spurning Cleveland’s best offer, a closer look proves appearances are deceiving. Various sources note Lebron will save between $4 million and $5 million in taxes, because Miami doesn’t have Cleveland’s city tax and Florida doesn’t have Ohio’s income tax. Good for Lebron. The teaching point is that a superstar’s exit underscores how individuals and businesses often decide where to base themselves. Shall we locate in State “A” with city and state taxes, or State “B” with no taxes? No need for instant replay to make that call.

Blago’s antics

mark green — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:32:13 +0000

Too bad they don’t have live television cameras in the courtroom where former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is on trial for corruption. It sounds like some O.J. Simpson-like entertainment is going on. Jurors got an earful of Blago in December 2008, yelling at his campaign chief older brother, Robert, about the need for more campaign cash. What a pair! Robert can be heard yelling back that if Rod is so worried about funds he could nix sending out poinsettias and Christmas pictures. The Rod & Rob Show took another funny turn when the judge in the case told Rod to sit still and stop gesturing during the testimony of former chief of staff Alonzo “Lon” Monk. Blago sit still? Maybe if they put him in a straitjacket.

He’s up, he’s down

mark green — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:16:50 +0000

Just five months ago, Republican Robert McDonnell was the toast of his party. In swamping his Democratic opponent, the newly elected governor of Virginia flipped the commonwealth more than 20 points from the margin Barack Obama carried the state with in 2008. Soon, McDonnell was being mentioned for a spot on the GOP’s national ticket in 2012. Now, not so much. McDonnell was the victim of some bad staff work, bad politics, bad thinking or all of the above in declaring April “Confederate History Month” in Virginia — without a boilerplate-like denunciation of slavery. In fact, McDonnell’s proclamation didn’t mention slavery at all, and boy did he draw flak for that. Some critics declared him a tool of the neo-Confederate movement. McDonnell backpedaled and re-issued the proclamation with a strong condemnation of slavery. And he apologized. No matter. Talk of 2012 has quieted down, the episode proving that a day or a week in politics can be like a lifetime most other places.

Bob McDonnell, the other smart pick

mark green — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:37:56 +0000

Well, OK. The previous blog item on Scott Brown is non-operable now that Republicans have picked new Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell to deliver the GOP response to next week’s State of the Union address. No biggie. McDonnell is the other good choice for the task after his runaway victory last fall in the Old Dominion — another state President Barack Obama won in 2008. McDonnell swamped his Democratic opponent with a solid conservative message that focused on jobs and the economy, which is the formula Republicans everywhere should copy this year. Like Brown in Massachusetts, McDonnell gobbled up independent voters (66 percent) on his way to a 17-point victory. He should do quite well as the GOP’s prime-time face/voice next week.

Tuition for illegal immigrants

christine watson — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:01:00 +0000

New Jersey won’t be joining the short list of states allowing undocumented students to attend college at in-state tuition rates. The effect, supporters said, is that children will be punished for the actions of their illegal immigrant parents and likely won’t attend college at all. The measure’s failure is rightfully disappointing although the in-state tuition denial has become a politically popular choice in many states. While higher education is not a right, it’s an opportunity that ought to be as widely available as possible for those who want it. Banning students who were young and had no say when their family immigrated slams shut the door of opportunity for many of those students who simply cannot afford the much higher price tag of out-of-state tuition. What good comes from that?

Just the facts

christine watson — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:39:21 +0000

Tensions are high over a school deregulation bill. Is it too much to expect top education officials to keep the debate in the adult realm? Last week, some members of the state education board weren’t shy in expressing their displeasure. One exchange had a board member saying supporters of Senate Bill 834 were drinking “Republican whiskey.” Really? That nonsense is on top of the fear tactics the Oklahoma Education Association and some other opponents are employing. All involved should just stick to the truth. Doing so would still leave plenty of room for sincere debate.

Relatively ‘rich’

j.e. mcreynolds — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:07:36 +0000

A conservative group puts Oklahoma in the top 15 of states in terms of “economic competitiveness.” The American Legislative Exchange Council favors states that aren’t trying to tax their way back into solvency. Utah was tapped as the best in this regard; New York is the worst. Oklahoma did well because of growth in gross domestic product and personal income between 1997 and 2007. The “Rich States, Poor States” report also favors states with right-to-work laws and a minimum wage that doesn’t exceed the federal floor rate. By these measures, Oklahoma ranks low among those who favor higher taxes, closed union shops and a state minimum wage. People and business leaders looking for a place to prosper, though, are put off by states such as New York and California. An example is Arthur B. Laffer, one of the study’s authors, who’s famous (or infamous if you don’t like him) for his supply-side economics position. He moved from California (ranked 43rd in the study) to Tennessee (ranked 9th).

Our green speaker

j.e. mcreynolds — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:45:07 +0000

It’s easy being green these days, but if you’re a conservative Republican it’s not so easy being known as being green. Yet the man taking the lead on alternative energy at the state level is Republican House Speaker Chris Benge of Tulsa. He wants to make it easier for vehicles to run on natural gas instead of gasoline or diesel. He wants to reward people for using solar power and wind power. Conservatives and Republicans are widely represented in the alternative fuel movement. Benge, R-Tulsa, is pushing House Bill 1952, which offers incentives for increasing the number of vehicles powered by compressed natural gas. The bill also addresses the problem of the paucity of CNG fueling stations. Benge is also pushing initiatives creating incentives for wind power and solar power. The state will be better off for his efforts.

Smile of cars

j.e. mcreynolds — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:49:30 +0000

What’s it going to take to put you in the driver’s seat of that new car? This should put a smile on your face: Part of the federal stimulus package is a deduction on taxes paid when new cars are purchased. Congress considered, but rejected, another deduction for the interest paid on new car loans. Oklahoma doesn’t assess sales taxes on vehicles. Instead, it takes 3.25 percent of the purchase price on new cars (used cars also have an excise tax, but it’s figured differently). Motor vehicle excise tax collections led all categories in declines for January, compared to January of 2008. The vehicle tax decline was nearly 60 percent. Most car buyers will qualify for the new federal deduction. So in addition to those dealer incentives, Uncle Sam is offering one of his own. Of course all of us will ultimately pay for this deduction through the increase in the federal debt.

Wasting time

christine watson — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:02:54 +0000

Tough budget times tend to leave lawmakers with too much time on their hands. We’re glad to see they didn’t waste much time on yet another unnecessary proposal that would infuse science classes with faith and morality discussions. Science teachers and their students already have sufficient freedom to explore scientific issues. Teachers must use their best judgment in guiding the discussion and keeping students on track. The proposed Scientific Education and Academic Freedom Act, which was killed in a Senate committee this week, and similar bills would just further muddy the academic waters. Lawmakers should stick to problems that need fixing. Academic freedom in the science classroom isn’t one of them.

Meanwhile, in Illinois …

mark green — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 03:13:37 +0000

Zoinks! After nurturing the impression he was above the muck of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s pay-to-play scandal, U.S. Sen. Roland Burris now acknowledges he made some calls to try to raise funds for Blagojevich at the behest of the governor’s brother — while Burris was seeking appointment to the seat vacated by President Barack Obama. Burris, a Democrat, says he’s open to a Senate ethics investigation, which probably is the least he could do after making everyone believe he steadfastly rebuffed Blagojevich’s money grubbing. Illinois is a blue state, as blue as any in the country. But you’ve got to wonder if the stink of corruption isn’t going to linger with Illinois voters long enough for them to vote for change of their own next year, to the GOP.