Friday, January 25, 2008

Muskogee Phoenix Editorial: Speaker’s leadership in question





Muskogee Phoenix Editorial

Speaker’s leadership in question
Published January 24, 2008

Oklahomans have a right to be very disappointed in five state legislators who failed to file their state income tax returns on time.

The offenders, Reps. Don Armes, R-Faxon; Ryan McMullen, D-Burns Flat; Jabar Shumate, D-Tulsa; Sen. Connie Johnson, D-Oklahoma City; and House Speaker Lance Cargill, were elected because they claimed to be leaders.

Failing to file their tax returns is a poor way of demonstrating leadership.

Cargill, who failed to file his returns for two years, gave the excuses that he is human, and he and his accountant miscommunicated. He said he was disaappointed because it will cost him by reducing his refund.

It will not only cost him in penalties but in respect from Oklahomans. And frankly, Cargill has given other reasons to doubt his leadership.

Almost a year ago, Cargill held a private meeting with lobbyists to solicit funds. He did that one day before promoting a new ethics plan for openness in political fund raising.

Last year, too, Cargill organized “100 Ideas,” an initiative to present the Legislature with ideas for improving the state. But Cargill refused to identify the financial sponsors of the project, who conceivably could profit later from ideas that may be sanctioned by the Legislature.

This month, Cargill went to Texas to the home of businessman Gene Phillips, who has been linked to convicted former insurance commissioner Carroll Fisher. Fisher, who is in prison for embezzling and lying to authorities, is also accused of accepting $25,000 and other gifts from Phillips and his family and associates in exchange for favorable treatment of their insurance companies.

Also this month, Cargill defended the $8.7 million funding rollover the House accumulated while other agencies are operating without adequate funding.

Any of these issues by themselves might be overlooked as the result of human failing, poor communication.

But together, they raise an issue about the leadership this state is getting from one of its most important officials.

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