Sheriff Joe Would Be Leading GOP Contender for Ariz. Governor

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio (R) performs best among a field of Republican candidates in hypothetical match-ups for next year's Arizona governor's race, a Rasmussen Reports poll conducted Nov. 18

In the survey of likely Arizona voters, Arpaio was the only GOP candidate to top likely Democratic nominee Terry Goddard, the state's current attorney general, 51 to 39 percent. Goddard led state Treasurer Dean Martin (R) 40 percent to 38 percent and incumbent Gov. Jan Brewer (R) 44 percent to 35 percent. The margin of error was 3 percent.

Arpaio, who is not in the race but has not ruled it out, benefits from the national profile he has earned by taking a hard line against illegal immigration in his county. Though controversial nationally, he remains popular in Arizona -- 63 percent of likely voters rated him favorably including 43 percent very favorably. Thirty-one percent viewed him unfavorably.

And 64 percent said they think Arpaio is doing the right thing by trying to work around federal law and track down illegal immigrants.

Goddard is the only other candidate polled who was regarded favorably by a majority of the electorate -- 51 percent to 35 percent unfavorably. Brewer, who has had a rocky tenure in the governor's mansion since filling the post in January, had a 44 to 48 percent favorable-to-unfavorable ratio.

Martin was the least known of the prospective candidates -- 32 percent had no opinion of him. Forty-one percent regarded him favorably to 27 percent unfavorably.

Brewer is the only declared candidate in the race, though Goddard is widely expected to run and Martin is actively considering it.

Hal Ezzell to run for Mayor of Norman

It look like Ward 3 Councilman Hal Ezzell has jump off the cilff and is running for Mayor of the People's Republic of Norman

Ezzell is making phone calls all over Norman and has call most of the City Council telling them that He is running for Mayor.

Councilman Ezzell has lived in Norman for over 30 years. Hal is an attorney in private practice specializing trusts, estate planning and taxation. He began his service on City Council in July of 2007. Council Member Ezzell currently serves on the Council Finance Committee and the Board of Trustees of the City of Norman Retirement System.

Hal graduated from Norman High School. Hal received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Central Oklahoma, and his Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law.

Councilman Ezzell has served on the board for the Center for Children and Families and is previously served on the board of Independent Living Services for Youth (ILSY). Hal is also on the Board of Directors for the First Presbyterian Church of Norman Foundation. Hal is a member of the Norman Chamber of Commerce and a graduate of the Leadership Norman Class in 2005.

OKLAHOMA SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS CALLS ON GOV BRAD boy TO BRING LEGISLATURE IN FOR DECEMBER SPECIAL SESSION

More Cuts ‘Inevitable,’
Better to Act Sooner Rather than Later

The Oklahoma Senate Republican Caucus today called on Governor Brad Henry to call the Legislature into special session in December, rather than waiting until January, as he suggested earlier this week.

“It’s very clear that more reductions in spending are inevitable,” said Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, “and agency heads are awaiting our direction as to how much their budgets will be reduced.

“We believe it is prudent, given the fiscal crisis facing all state agencies, to come in, examine the numbers as an entire body, and make the hard decisions sooner rather than later,” he continued. “We have a good feel for the direction revenues are heading, so why wait any longer?”

Coffee pointed out that Senate Appropriations Subcommittees have been meeting over the past weeks, and getting reports from agency heads projecting how cuts of 5%m 7.5% and 10% would impact their agencies.

“Agency heads are willing to make the tough calls,” Coffee said. “They just need to know when and how much. It’s not a pleasant task, but we all understand the reality of the times in which we’re operating.”

Coffee said that families across the state are prioritizing their needs and making hard personal budget decisions around their kitchen tables, and government needs to act accordingly. “This won’t be easy or fun, but this is an opportunity for Oklahoma’s elected leaders to assess our needs alongside our available resources, and look at state spending through critical eyes.”

Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the Governor can call a special meeting of the State Equalization Board, who would declare a budget failure, at which time the Governor could call a Special Session of the Legislature.

“We hope the Governor will act with great urgency on this matter,” Coffee said. “Our caucus will stand with him in support of his call, and will take on this important matter with equal urgency.”

Senator Clark Jolley Files Paperwork to Seek GOP Attorney General Nomination

With a clear record of promoting a pro-growth environment in Oklahoma, Edmond State Senator Clark Jolley has filed paperwork with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission to begin the process of soliciting support for election to the office of Oklahoma's Attorney General.

The position is an open seat being vacated by Attorney General Drew Edmondson, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for Governor. "We desperately need a pro-jobs, pro-growth Attorney General in Oklahoma," said Jolley. "People in our state have lost their jobs because of an Attorney General's decision to sue companies in our state.

As a Senator who has a proven record of supporting job creation and reducing needless litigation in Oklahoma, I believe those qualities are needed in the next Attorney General."

Jolley also stated his intention to see vigorous prosecution of those who hurt the most vulnerable of our citizens–the elderly and children: "Oklahoma's Senior Citizens have been the targets of crime through identity theft and fraud. Our children are being hunted on the Internet and abused by those they trust.

I will ensure the Attorney General's office responds quickly and decisively against those who prey on those who have very little protections of their own.

I have stood for the rights of the victim in the State Senate and I will stand for their rights in our courthouses as well."

As a staunch opponent of increased regulations and higher taxes on businesses and individuals, Jolley also will champion the freedom of Internet use from greedy bureaucrats wanting to tax bandwidth usage and services. "We can't afford to allow the economic downturn we face turn into an opportunity for bureaucrats to invent new taxes on vital services such as Internet use.

With other countries blowing past the United States in broadband speeds and access, we can't let government discourage growth, especially for rural areas of our state."

Jolley has been honored as an inductee in the Child Advocates Hall of Fame under two categories, Child Health & Safety and Education. He has also been recognized for his leadership by DNA Saves, a national victim's rights organization. He has been honored by the Research Institute for Economic Development for his support of business issues in the state and has been selected by his fellow Senators to serve as one of their Assistant Majority Leaders in the present session.

Jolley was elected to the Senate in 2004 by a large margin and was overwhelmingly re-elected in 2008.

His wife, Verlyne and two children live in Edmond. Jolley also named Edmond CPA James R. Hale as his campaign treasurer.

Contact: info@clarkjoll 405.650.1582

59% of GOP Voters Say Sarah Palin Shares Their Values

Sarah Palin will visit Norman Dec 3, for a book signing at Hastings.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Republican voters say former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin shares the values of most GOP voters throughout the nation.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 21% of Republican voters disagree and think the 2008 vice presidential candidate does not share their values. Twenty percent (20%) are undecided.

By contrast, 74% of Republicans say their party’s representatives in Congress have lost touch with GOP voters nationwide over the past several years.

Only 18% of Republican voters believe their elected officials have done a good job representing the base.

The findings in these two surveys highlight the political debate within the Republican Party.

(RINO) Party leaders worry that Palin is pushing the GOP too far to the right to win general elections by aligning herself with Tea Party voters frustrated with both parties in Washington and the big government policies they have produced.

Still, just 18% of Republicans - and 26% of voters nationwide - see Palin as a divisive force within the GOP.

A plurality believes Palin is representative of a new direction for the Republican Party.

That view is held by 57% of Republicans and 41% of all voters.

A plurality of Democrats aren’t sure what to think of Palin’s role within the opposing party.

Among all voters, 41% say Palin shares the values of most GOP voters throughout the nation, while 30% think otherwise and 29% are not sure.

Palin has a new book, “Going Rogue,” coming out this week that gives her side of the 2008 presidential campaign and launches new battles between her and some of her running mate John McCain’s campaign team.

Palin is great for the GOP, Giuliani says

Sarah Palin will visit Norman next month for a book signing at Hastings.

Hat Tip to my twitter buddy @MMStewart

A prominent, socially moderate Republican said Sunday that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who has achieved iconic status with the Republican Party's conservative base, is an asset to the GOP.

"I think Sarah Palin is great for the Republican Party," former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said in an interview that aired on CNN State of the Union.

Giuliani said Palin generates a lot of enthusiasm for the party which has struggled to define itself and identify its leading voices after the McCain-Palin ticket lost its White House bid a year ago.

"She gets a tremendous reception even here in Democratic New York," Giuliani, who hosted Palin at a New York Yankees game, told CNN John King.

We're very far away from a 2012 election, Giuliani added, Right now, I like figures who are creating interest in the Republican Party.

"Given the decisions that the Obama administration is making, particularly on this area of terrorism which concerns me probably more than any other, we're going to need some pretty strong alternatives in 2012. I don't know if it'll be Sarah Palin or someone else. But right now it's [about] developing interest in a Republican Party and we need a two-party system and we need a healthy one.

Giuliani said he had not made any decision yet about whether he will seek the White House again in 2012 or run for New York governor. Asked when he had to make that decision, Giuliani told King, Not today, not this morning.

Texas State Rep. McCall won't seek reelection

Hat tip to The Texas Tribune





2010: McCall won't seek reelection
by Ross Ramsey

Brian McCall, a key member of House Speaker Joe Straus' leadership team, won't seek reelection next year.

McCall, a 51-year-old Plano Republican, wasn't available for comment. But he's contacting supporters and allies today to tell them of his decision.

He's the chairman of the Calendars Committee that sets the House's daily agenda and decides which bills do and don't come to a vote. And he's a member of the Polo Road Gang, a group of 11 Republicans who met on January 2 at Rep. Byron Cook's Austin house to choose their candidate for speaker. That bloc, combined with most of the House Democrats and some votes picked up later, made Straus the speaker and ousted Midland Republican Tom Craddick from the post.

He will have served 20 years in the House when his current term ends in January 2011, and he has remained popular in his district: He never got less than 65 percent in a general or primary election and usually ran without opposition. His HD-66 is solidly Republican and would be a difficult pickup for the Democrats even with McCall out of the running.

McCall has been mentioned as a possible candidate for state Senate — speculation resulting from Sen. Florence Shapiro's efforts to win a promotion to the U.S. Senate. Both are Plano Republicans, and if Shapiro were to run, McCall is in a spot to try for her job. He's played down those rumors. And now that Kay Bailey Hutchison has said she'll remain in office until after the first of the year (and the filing deadline for candidates in the 2010 elections), the fuel for that political speculation is scarce.

McCall was himself a candidate for speaker before the 2007 legislative session. He was the apparent leader among candidates to challenge Craddick that year, but stepped aside to back Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, who went on to lose to the incumbent. Both men backed Straus at the beginning of this year, and both were rewarded — Pitts with a new run as chairman of House Appropriations, and McCall, with the job at Calendars, his first chairmanship.

WINE LIBRARY’S GARY VAYNERCHUK HEADLINES EVENT IN OKLAHOMA CITY DUE TO MASS SOCIAL MEDIA PERSISTENCE

Gary Vaynerchuk is heading to Oklahoma City on November 20 mostly due to the resilient push via social media.

Vaynerchuk, a well known wine guru from Wine Library TV, recently launched his new book, Crush it!, and was in the process of narrowing down book-stop media tour locations as a team of Oklahoma City Vaynerchuk fans saw this as an opportunity they couldn’t pass up.

The face of this Oklahoma City push for a Gary Vaynerchuk appearance is Samuel Gordon’s Jeweler President Daniel Gordon.

“The efforts of these Oklahoman’s passion, patience, caring and ‘Hustle’ (as Gary puts it) are truly amazing. This event, which we are deeming OK Crush It, will be an incredible experience,” said Gordon.

“Once we heard that November 20 fit into Gary’s busy schedule, we jumped at the opportunity to book him at the Will Rogers Theatre.

We set the ticket price at only $25 which will include the new book by which he is promoting. A limited amount of tickets are still available at www.okcrushit.com but no promises on how long until they’re sold out.”

Oklahoma City clamors to bring Vaynerchuk in, but the feeling seems to be mutual.

"As much as the message of Crush It! is about forming communities online, it's meeting people in person that is always the biggest thrill for me,” said Vaynerchuk. “Every stop on this tour has been amazing, but I am especially looking forward to Oklahoma City. The outreach to bring me there was staggering, and ever since the city became the home of the NBA's Thunder, I've felt destined to visit and bring a little thunder of my own."

The event is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. at the Will Rogers Theatre (4322 N Western Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73118) Tickets for OK Crush It can be purchased at www.okcrushit.com

Event schedule:

7:30 VIP/Sponsor mixer
8:00 Event Begins
8:20 Gary’s Motivational Crush It Talk & winelibrary.tv Taping
9:35 Mixer & Gary’s Ping Pong Game
10:30 Last call for Food & Drink
11:00 Doors close

Excerpt from Web site:

“Join celebrity icon and social media sommelier, Gary Vanyerchuck for an enticing evening at Will Rogers Event Center . Experience exquisite wines from Putnam Wines, Paragon, Thirst OKC and Premium. Coop Ale Work beer, Gekkeikan Sake and coffee from Cafe Evoke & Elemental Coffee will whet your palate for the delightful culinary offerings from local restaurants. Award-winning establishments such as Ryan Parrott’s Season’s Catering and Iguana Grill, Bruce Rinehart’s Rococos, and Deep Fork Grill will satisfy every appetite.

Listen as Gary brings the thunder of his new book “Crush It.” Celebrate success as you watch a live taping of his Internet sensation, Winelibray.tv, and learn what makes him passionate about social media. One lucky guest will win the drawing to play one-on-one ping pong against Gary.”

Sarah Palin to visit Norman

Sarah Palin will visit Norman next month for a book signing at Hastings.

"She wanted to come into smaller towns," Hastings store manager Rob Wood said, adding that Norman will be Palin's only Oklahoma stop on her book tour.

The former vice-presidential hopeful and governor of Alaska will sign copies of her memoir, "Going Rogue: An American Life," which hits shelves Tuesday. The event will be 7 p.m. Dec. 3. at Hastings Books, 2300 W. Main St.

Wood said they've had famous authors sign books at the Norman store before, but nothing on this level of national fame.

"This is definitely our biggest we've ever had," he said.

Palin is not going to give an address, but will sign books and talk to those getting their books signed, Wood said.

"Basically how it's working is they have to purchase their book from the store," he said. Customers can buy their books from Hastings in advance and bring them to be signed as long as they bring their Hastings receipt. Wood said he expects many people to purchase more than one book to have Palin sign and then send to family members.

Gary Banz on how Veterans can get a Flag that have flown over the Oklahoma State Capitol

Oklahoma State Rep. Gary Banz (R - House 101) talking talking about how Veterans can get a U.S. or Oklahoma Flag that have flown over the Oklahoma State Capitol

Hoo-ah X-OU Bball player headed to Afghanistan

Former Oklahoma women's basketball star Captain Caton Hill says that while "there is some anxiety" about heading to Afghanistan for combat duty with the U.S. Army, she's confident she's prepared.

She spoke with bloggers and reporters on a conference call on Today, two days before she's scheduled to depart.

Captain Hill has spent the past year in Georgia training for the assignment.

After finishing her basketball career in 2004, Captain Hill went to OU Med School and decided to enlist in the Army's Medical Corps. It would pay her medical school bills in exchange for her military service.

She started her residency in family medicine last year, but after a year, she decided that she wanted to do something different.

Captain Hill, an Army flight surgeon, will be the primary care physician for the 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, the 3rd Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade. She says she'll primarily be working with pilots during her one-year tour of duty.

Captain Hill knew becoming a flight surgeon could land her on the front line. "Taking care of the people that are fighting for you is one of the most honorable things you can do," she said.

Captain Hill played for the Sooners from 1999 to 2004 and is sixth on Oklahoma's career scoring list with 1,653 points. She started for Oklahoma's 2002 national runner-up squad.

Tulsa District 4 crime rate went up last night

A newly elected city councilor had a personal lesson in policework last night when a thief ran away with her wallet during a victory party in downtown Tulsa.

Maria Barnes was celebrating her District 4 win over incumbent Eric Gomez at Casa Laredo, 403 S. Cheyenne Ave., when a man reached into her purse and made off with her billfold about 10:20 p.m., police said.

Barnes and a group of supporters chased after him to the 600 block of South Boulder, where officers took him into custody.

About five minutes later, officers arrested Jordan Lee Christ, 26. He was booked into the Tulsa Jail on complaints of petty larceny and public intoxication, according to his arrest report.

Police allege that Christ was extremely drunk and ran from the eatery after swiping the wallet.

Court records indicate that Christ has several previous convictions, including assault and battery, outraging public decency, peeping tom and larceny.

Tulsa NewsChannel 8's Burt Mummolo
was there and filed this report...

For my Buddy...

HOO-AH Businesses Honoring Veterans With Discounts

During Veterans Day Weekend, several retail businesses are raising money for programs, while other businesses are offering various discounts to veterans. VFW received the following notices about Veterans Day Specials:

Golden Corral Military Appreciation Monday Dinner, November 16, 5-9 p.m.: Golden Corral restaurants across the Country open their door and provide a free “thank you” dinner to any person who has ever served in the United States Military including the National Guard and Reserves. To date, Golden Corral restaurants have provided over 2.2 million free meals and contributed over $3.3 million to the Disabled American Veterans organization.



Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar, November 11: Restaurants invite all active duty and veterans to all restaurants nationwide to pull up a chair for a delicious meal and heartfelt thanks this Veterans Day. With gratitude for their service and sacrifice, active duty and veterans will eat free on Veterans Day during regular business hours. Veterans and active duty with proof of United States military service will be able to select one complimentary entrée from a selection of delicious favorites.


Sport Clips nationwide on Veterans Day, November 11, is supporting VFW Operation Uplink™ with "The Biggest Haircut Day of the Year." On that day, Sport Clips will donate a dollar for every haircut given in our 660+ stores. Show your support for troops and veterans by getting your next haircut at Sport Clips.

Burger King restaurants in select states across the country are raising money for VFW Unmet Needs through November 30. More than 800 Burger King restaurants are participating in the “buy a burger; donate a buck” fundraiser in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin.

McCormick and Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants November 8 Annual Veterans Appreciation Event: Present your military ID, VFW membership card, DD214 or VA ID to enjoy a complimentary lunch or dinner entrée from a special menu. Click here to find one in your area

24-Hour Fitness: Once again, 24-Hour Fitness is proud to offer Free workouts November 6-11 for ALL veterans. Visit www.24hourfitness.com for club locations. "We are so very fortunate to be Americans, and I'm honored by their humble service to our great land. I have numerous Vet's, reservists, and proud Patriots on my team who are thankful everyday for the values we hold true," said Carl Liebert, veteran and 24-Hour fitness founder.

Lowe’s Offers 10% Veterans Day Discount: Home improvement retailer Lowe’s Companies will offer a 10 percent discount to active-duty, National Guard and reserve members, retirees, veterans and their immediate family members, Nov. 8 through Nov. 15, in honor of Veterans Day. The Lowe’s discount can be used on purchases of up to $5,000, for a maximum discount of $500. It can be used only on purchases made in stores, and is not available for sales at Lowes.com. It does not apply to previous sales or purchases of services or gift cards. Customers must present a military ID card or other proof of service.

Since this list does not contain ALL discounts,
be sure and ask if the places you are patronizing Veterans Day offer any discounts to veterans

Islamist extremist at Ft. Hood? Part 2

FLASH: ABC News: Fort Hood gunman Hasan made attempts to contact al Qaeda terrorists, intelligence agencies knew months ago...

Controversial Muslim figure Anwar al-Awlaki
calls Fort Hood gunman a "hero" on his blog.
Read the blog post:

Nidal Hassan Did the Right Thing
November 9, 2009 - الاثنين 22 ذو القعدة 1430 by Anwar alAwlaki
Filed under Imam Anwar's Blog

Nidal Hassan is a hero. He is a man of conscience who could not bear living the contradiction of being a Muslim and serving in an army that is fighting against his own people. This is a contradiction that many Muslims brush aside and just pretend that it doesn’t exist. Any decent Muslim cannot live, understanding properly his duties towards his Creator and his fellow Muslims, and yet serve as a US soldier. The US is leading the war against terrorism which in reality is a war against Islam. Its army is directly invading two Muslim countries and indirectly occupying the rest through its stooges.

Nidal opened fire on soldiers who were on their way to be deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. How can there be any dispute about the virtue of what he has done? In fact the only way a Muslim could Islamically justify serving as a soldier in the US army is if his intention is to follow the footsteps of men like Nidal.

The heroic act of brother Nidal also shows the dilemma of the Muslim American community. Increasingly they are being cornered into taking stances that would either make them betray Islam or betray their nation. Many amongst them are choosing the former. The Muslim organizations in America came out in a pitiful chorus condemning Nidal’s operation.

The fact that fighting against the US army is an Islamic duty today cannot be disputed. No scholar with a grain of Islamic knowledge can defy the clear cut proofs that Muslims today have the right -rather the duty- to fight against American tyranny. Nidal has killed soldiers who were about to be deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in order to kill Muslims. The American Muslims who condemned his actions have committed treason against the Muslim Ummah and have fallen into hypocrisy.

Allah(swt) says: Give tidings to the hypocrites that there is for them a painful punishment –
Those who take disbelievers as allies instead of the believers. Do they seek with them honor [through power]? But indeed, honor belongs to Allah entirely. (al-Nisa 136-137)

The inconsistency of being a Muslim today and living in America and the West in general reveals the wisdom behind the opinions that call for migration from the West. It is becoming more and more difficult to hold on to Islam in an environment that is becoming more hostile towards Muslims.

May Allah grant our brother Nidal patience, perseverance and steadfastness and we ask Allah to accept from him his great heroic act. Ameen

Islamist extremist at Ft. Hood?

Sen. Joe Lieberman announced Sunday that he intends to lead a congressional investigation into the mass shooting at Fort Hood, saying the attack could qualify as a "terrorist act" rooted in Islamic radicalism -- the worst since 9/11.

The Independent Democrat, who chairs the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, said there were "strong warning signs" that the alleged gunman, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, was an "Islamist extremist."

"If that is true, the murder of these 13 people was a terrorist act and, in fact, it was the most destructive terrorist act to be committed on American soil since 9/11," Lieberman told "Fox News Sunday."

Nidal Malik Hasan, the Army major suspected of killing 13 people and wounding 29 others at Fort Hood, worshipped at the same mosque as two of the 9/11 terrorists.

According to the London Sunday Telegraph, Hasan attended services at the Dar al-Hijrah mosque in Great Falls, Va., in 2001 at the same time as Sept. 11 hijackers Nawaf al-Hamzi and Hani Hanjour. Funeral services for Hasan's mother also was held at that mosque.

The FBI wants to interrogate Hasan to see if he met or knew al-Hamzi or Hanjour, reports the Telegraph.

The imam at the mosque at the time Hasan attended services there was Anwar al-Awlaki, a radical cleric who has been described as a supporter of al-Qaida. A third 9/11 hijacker attended al-Awlaki's lectures in California.

As DHS Cut Senior Nutrition Programs, Top Officials Got Raises

Top administrative staff at the Department of Human Services received almost $200,000 in pay raises in the past year before the agency cut senior nutrition programs, records show.

“These raises were given at a time when the economic situation was bad and getting worse and a budget shortfall was clearly imminent,” said state Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore. “In light of the raises, I find it hard to believe DHS could not find any way to save money other than cutting nutritional programs for the elderly.”

Records show 29 of the top 36 administrators at the agency received raises in the past year.

The pay raises ranged between $135 per month to an additional $1,894 per month. The pay raises totaled $16,380 per month and $196,560 per year. Terrill noted the pay raises were not approved by the Legislature and it is not known if those receiving the raises assumed any additional job responsibilities. Terrill likened DHS officials’ actions to AIG executives who received millions in bonuses after obtaining taxpayer-funded bailout money from the federal government.

“DHS has violated the sacred trust with our seniors in the same way many greedy Wall Street robber barons violated the trust of the taxpayers who bailed them out,” Terrill said. He said the case illustrates the need for even greater scrutiny of agency budgets as lawmakers revise appropriations due to the downturn.

“This unconscionable series of events calls into question the judgment of DHS’ senior management,” Terrill said. “With state workers facing furloughs or layoffs, the Legislature should scrub every agency budget to determine whether the DHS abuses are an isolated case or just the tip of the iceberg. Somehow, I suspect the latter.”

Even Demo State Sentor
Debbe Leftwich think this is
WRONG!

Oklahoma State Senate Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
405-521-5774

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –


State Sen. Debbe Leftwich said it was unconscionable for the Department of Human Services (DHS) to pass out nearly $200,000 in pay hikes at a time when the agency has cut $7.4 million from senior nutrition programs. Leftwich said while many employees at DHS and other state agencies are underpaid, raising salaries while cutting senior nutrition is the wrong thing to do. She applauded House member Randy Terrill, R-Moore, for bringing attention to the situation on Wednesday.

“This is outrageous, but it proves what I’ve said many times—DHS has deep pockets when it comes to something they want, like these raises. We have seniors who are literally going to suffer because of the cuts to the nutrition program, but the bureaucrats claim they couldn’t make cuts elsewhere,” said Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City. “This is indefensible.”

DHS has argued the raises were a necessary market-rate adjustment. Twenty-nine of the top 36 administrators at DHS have been given raises ranging from $135 to $1,894 per month.

“We have agencies that are being forced to leave empty posts unfilled, furlough remaining workers and cut programs, yet DHS proceeded with these raises. It’s just unbelievable,” Leftwich said. “For years I’ve tried to move state services for seniors out of DHS and other agencies to a stand-alone entity that will make taking care our older Oklahomans the priority it should be. As far as I am concerned, this action by DHS just underscores why they should not be entrusted with programs older Oklahomans need to survive.”

Sen Paddack Plan Announcement Superintendent of Public Instruction

Back in March (and June on facebook) I said that Susan Paddack would be making a run for Superintendent of Public Instruction. And on Monday, She will jump in to the race.

Oklahoma State Senator Susan Paddack (D- S13, Ada) will seek the Democratic nomination for superintendent of public instruction next year.

"Please join me in supporting Senator Susan Paddack by attending the official announcement of her candidacy for State Superintendent of Public Instruction 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 9, 2009, Chickasaw Community Center, 700 N. Mississippi." in an announcement that was sent to Paddack supporters via email.

Sen. Paddack was elected in November 2004 as the senator for District 13, which includes Pontotoc, Hughes, portions of Garvin and Coal Counties. She serves as a Democratic Whip.

Prior to her election, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence employed her for nine years as director of Local Education Foundation Outreach. She's also been employed as a secondary science teacher in middle and junior high schools in Texas, Colorado, and Oklahoma and served as an adjunct faculty member for East Central University’s Education Department. She served as a board member for the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence and co-chaired the Fall Forum for Local Education Foundations in 1993 and 1994. She was also on the board of trustees, the executive committee, and chaired the Local Education Foundation Outreach Committee. She was named the Ada Education Association’s 1992 Friend of Education.

She is on the Southern Region Education Board, an organization that studies trends and issues in education, and is a member of the Education Commission of the States and the Southern Legislative Conference.

She is NOT up for re-election next year, so She will not have to give up her senate seat to run.

72 HOURS AND COUNTING FOR TULSA CITY ELECTION

Attention all Republicans

All hands on deck
For the 72 hour push
To get out the vote!

Meet Us at Dewey Bartlett's Headquarters
1648 S. Boston
(the corner of 17th and Boston)
starting at
10:00 am Saturday
1:00 pm Sunday

You will be assigned a neighborhood to knock on doors to remind people to vote on Tuesday November 10th and please vote for Dewey Bartlett for Tulsa Mayor We need volunteers to be in the neighborhoods throughout Tulsa this weekend!

Bring your friend, child, relative or neighbor to Headquarters on Saturday and Sunday to Help us comb the neighborhoods
Thank you!

Victoria Bartlett
527-1404 (cell)

Gov Brad boy Names Hetherington To Civil Appeals Court

Governor Brad boy today appointed Judge William (Bill) C. Hetherington, Jr., to the Court of Civil Appeals.

He succeeds Judge Glenn Adams, who resigned last September. Gov. Brad boy lauded the experience of Hetherington, a longtime judge in Cleveland County District Court.

Happy Guy Fawkes Day!

Guy Fawkes (13 April 1570 – 31 January 1606), also known as Guido Fawkes, the name he adopted while fighting for the Spanish in the Low Countries, belonged to a group of Roman Catholic restorationists from England who planned the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

Their aim was to displace Protestant rule by blowing up the Houses of Parliament while King James I and the entire Protestant, and even most of the Catholic, aristocracy and nobility were inside. The conspirators saw this as a necessary reaction to the systematic discrimination against English Catholics

The Gunpowder Plot was led by Robert Catesby, but Fawkes was put in charge of its execution. He was arrested a few hours before the planned explosion, during a search of the cellars underneath Parliament in the early hours of 5 November prompted by the receipt of an anonymous warning letter.

Guy Fawkes Night (or "bonfire night"), held on 5 November in the United Kingdom and some parts of the Commonwealth, is a commemoration of the plot, during which an effigy of Fawkes is burned, often accompanied by a fireworks display. The word "guy", meaning "man" or "person", is derived from his name.

Cleveland County Election Board gets new digs

The Cleveland County Election Board has begun moving out of its downtown Norman offices and should open at its new digs, 614 E. Robinson St., today, a CCEB spokeswoman said Monday.

Anette Pretty, assistant executive secretary of CCEB, said the board has been at its current location, 122 S. Peters Ave., since 2004.

Pretty said this move shouldn't be an issue for the CCEB staff, whose next election (on two proposed school bonds) falls on Dec. 8.

"We're seamless," Pretty said. "We'll be fine." Right now, the CCEB is sharing the building with a bank and the Cleveland County Sheriff's Department.

Who exactly will fill the prime downtown office space the CCEB is vacating is still up in the air.

Tulsa State Lawmakers Form Tulsa (Mafia) Caucus In Legislature

Two state lawmakers from Tulsa, State Rep. Eric Proctor and State Sen. Gary Stanislawski are forming a bipartisan (Mafia) caucus to promote the interests of Oklahoma's second largest city. (ie How much State Tax $$ can we get)

Gary Stanislawski say the new Tulsa (Mafia) Caucus is open to all Tulsa-area legislators and elected officials. It will meet before the end of the year to review legislative priorities. (If you Look like a Mob & Sound like a Mob then you are a Mafia)

Proctor, a Democrat, says Tulsa's needs are being crowded out at the state Capitol. He says it's important that the city's infrastructure needs are met. (Hey Eric, How about Tulsa pay for its own city's infrastructure!)

Stanislawski, a Republican, says Tulsa has been the main economic engine for Oklahoma for over 100 years. But Stanislawski says the city has been a net donor to Oklahoma's treasury. (Come on Gary, talk about a SPIN JOB!)

He says the new caucus wants to make sure Tulsa's interests are not overlooked. (ie making sure that the Tulsa Metro Chamber will not be overlooked)

McDonnell Country

BoomerQ is coming to Norman !

Look like BOOMERQ is coming to Norman
(SW 24th and Main)

New Law Ends Oklahoma Spanish Driver’s Tests

A new state law that took effect Nov. 1 will prevent the waste of taxpayer dollars on Spanish-language drivers’ tests, the bill’s author said today.

“In a year of budget cuts, it makes no sense to spend extra money on Spanish-language drivers’ tests that serve no legitimate public policy purpose,” said state Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore. “Providing this special accommodation to non-English speakers indirectly encourages illegal immigration and prevents assimilation of legal immigrants.”

House Bill 2252, by Terrill and state Sen. Anthony Sykes, repealed the requirement for the Department of Public Safety to provide driver’s license tests in Spanish. The bill went into effect on Nov. 1.

Drivers who cannot read or speak English pose a public safety risk, Terrill noted.

“Individuals who cannot speak or read English cannot read most road signs and they cannot communicate with other drivers, law-enforcement personnel, or emergency responders in the event of an accident,” Terrill said.

The risk associated with non-English-proficient drivers is one reason the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s regulations require individuals seeking a commercial license for interstate commerce to “read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries and to make entries on reports and records.”

House Bill 2252 was prompted, in part, by a federal government investigation of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety over allegations the agency violated the civil rights of two Iranian immigrants who were not provided written driver’s license exams in Farsi, the dominant language of Iran.

The state has received multiple foreign-language requests since that time.

“If a government agency agrees to provide services in one foreign language, what basis does it have to deny services in any of the 322 languages now spoken in the U.S.?” Terrill asked. “By treating all citizens the same, House Bill 2252 also reduces the chances of a successful lawsuit that further drains taxpayer dollars.”

He noted the cost of providing driver’s tests in foreign languages is between $25,000 and $50,000 per language, per year.

“At a time of significant budget cuts, we need to make every dollar count and cannot afford to waste money on these tests,” Terrill said.

Research has also shown that English proficiency provides enormous financial benefits for legal immigrants, Terrill noted.

“Proficiency in English increases the degree of one’s civic participation as well as earnings potential,” Terrill said. “State policy should not discourage the assimilation process and hold back legal immigrants.”

New Oklahoma State Laws go into effect today

--House Bill 2026: Expands the Insure Oklahoma health insurance premium assistance program by creating a core benefits package for young, healthy Oklahomans to purchase inexpensive insurance policies and an insurance hub to help match Oklahomans to private insurance plans that fit their needs.

--House Bill 1603: Civil justice legislation designed to cut down on frivolous lawsuits that supporters believe will help reduce health care costs, reverse a doctor and nurse shortage and attract businesses to the state. It caps non-economic damages except in cases of gross negligence.

--Senate Bill 812: Lemon Law legislation that gives vehicle buyers better protections if the new car or truck they have purchased turns out to be defective.

--House Bill 1114: Bans human cloning in Oklahoma.

--Senate Bill 135: A plan to increase the number of therapists serving children with autism. The bill creates a licensing process for national board certified behavioral analysts and trains more doctors to treat autism.

--House Bill 1003: Removes regulatory barriers by allowing family businesses with five or fewer employees who are all related to be exempted from workers' compensation insurance requirements.

--House Bill 1953: Makes companies that support, repair and maintain service activities for wind industry energy companies eligible for the state's Quality Jobs Act to help attract companies to Oklahoma involved in all aspects of the wind energy industry.

--House Bill 394: Eliminates barriers to alternative teacher certification.

--Senate Bill 833: Encourages state agencies to develop and implement an energy efficiency and conservation plan and calls for the designation of a current employee at each agency to help develop an energy plan.

--Senate Bill 2: Expands special police license plates to include university and common education police officers and creates nine new specialized license plates; National Weather Center; Operation Iraqi Freedom; In God We Trust; Make-A-Wish Foundation; Autism Awareness; Folds of Honor; South Central PGA Foundation; Putnam City High School, and OKC Thunder.