March 12 was the deadline for considering legislation introduced in the Senate and approved by committee. In the past, many innovative approaches and reforms were simply not heard. Now that Republicans have the majority in the upper chamber, those bills are getting the debate and consideration they deserve, and as a result, our key agenda items for this session now have an excellent chance of reaching the governor’s desk.
Among the key pieces of legislation approved by the full Senate is SB 646, creating the State Office of Accountability and Innovation. This office represents a step toward greater efficiency in state government. It would conduct regular performance audits of agencies, recommend best practices to improve efficiencies in government, review the effectiveness of tax incentives and bring new innovations to government. This office would actually pay for itself by identifying cost savings in government.
Senate Bill 1111, by Senator Clark Jolley, the Educational Accountability Reform Act, will ensure the integrity of test data, giving us a true indication of how well are students are doing in core subjects. The measure calls for testing oversight to be moved to an impartial third party. With objective data, we can do a much better job of helping students master the material necessary for success in school and in life.
Senate bill 834, by Senator John Ford, will remove several unfunded mandates and give local school districts greater control over how state appropriated dollars are used. Majority Floor Leader Todd Lamb authored Senate Bill 609, a measure that reforms the workers compensation courts, which are currently in great need of overhaul.
The full Senate also approved Senate Bill 4 by Senator Ford, which is voter identification legislation to ensure clean and fair elections. A recent story by the Wall Street Journal supports the argument we’ve made for this important reform. This past year, states like Indiana and Georgia which have the strictest voter ID requirements in the country actually saw increases in voter turnout. No one was disenfranchised, and voters had confidence that their ballot would not be cancelled out by someone attempted to commit voter fraud.
Senate Bill 899 would revoke state retirement benefits from state or county officials convicted of felonies. It is an insult to taxpayers when an elected official has been convicted of a serious crime, but continues to draws thousands of dollars each month in pensions because, they argue, the crime they were convicted of really didn’t have anything to do with their oath of office. If an official violates the public’s trust, that person should be held accountable and suffer real consequences for violating the law.
These measures all represent good public policy, and I hope our colleagues in the House will work quickly to add their stamp of approval.
This past week, the Senate Appropriations Committee received briefings from several agency heads about how the recently approved federal stimulus package will impact Oklahoma. What we know at this point is that Oklahoma’s share will be $2.7 billion dollars, and it will be spread out over two budget years. The money will be funneled to approximately 20 state agencies as well as county governments and municipalities.
I am very concerned about the amount of debt being created, and the fact that many of the designated projects seem to have little or nothing to do with economic recovery. On the other hand, there are portions that make sense, including funding for roads and bridges, resources for indigent healthcare, and funds to support education.
With that said, we must proceed very cautiously. There are some things that could have a short-term positive effect, but long-term negative impact by costing our state more money. One concern I have is trying to determine what strings may be attached to these federal dollars. If they require us to expand programs, what happens when the stimulus package runs out, especially if the economy has not turned around? And we’re still analyzing the impact of tax cuts and credits that could adversely impact revenues in the future—that, coupled with forced expansions of programs would be disastrous, not only for Oklahoma, but for our entire country.
It is crucial that agencies and entities in Oklahoma receiving stimulus funds must allocate them very carefully, keeping in mind that there really is no guarantee these funds will be continued beyond this two-year package. I found it very troubling when one agency head announced plans to use the funds to expand programs which would result in recurring costs that could leave Oklahoma holding the bag for hundreds of millions of dollars in expenditures—money we simply may not have in two years.
Rest assured that if there are strings attached, we’re going to find out what they are before we accept those dollars. Furthermore, agency heads who think the legislature has no role in how the money is spent are misinformed. As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to ensure these funds are not obligated in ways that will actually make our budget worse down the road.
We all know there are disagreements about what government should and should not do. I come down on the side of leaner, more efficient government—one that encourages personal responsibility. But in particular, there is a function that I believe government has a moral obligation to fulfill—that is to protect law abiding citizens and their families from the criminals who seek to exploit and harm them.
We use local and state revenue sources to fund local police departments, county sheriff’s offices, and at the state level, law enforcement entities like the Highway Patrol and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. In the legislature, we’ve worked to provide these officers and agents the latest in crime solving technology and forensics—the new OSBI lab in Edmond is a prime example. Lastly, we make sure those who have robbed, raped, or murdered innocent men, women and children can locked away so that they are no longer a threat to society. But what if a liberal court ordered our state to let tens of thousands of those criminals free, well before they had paid their debt to society? If you think it can’t happen, think again.
This past week, a federal judicial panel ordered the State of California to reduce overcrowding by as many as 55,000 prisoners. In supporting their finding, they argued it would not “adversely affect public safety.” As someone who has spent the last ten years in the Oklahoma Senate working to make our communities and state safer, I am appalled by their decision. Even California’s liberal attorney general and former governor, Jerry Brown, was shocked by ruling, say it was an intrusion by the federal judiciary that failed to recognize the imperatives of public safety and the challenges of incarcerating criminals.
One analyst concerned by the California court ruling said the early release would not result in any real savings to the state due to the subsequent crimes that would be committed by freeing the inmates early. It is estimated violent crime would be six percent higher in California, with 150 additional murders, 500 more rapes and 4,500 more robberies than there would be if these criminals had been left in prison.
With Oklahoma’s prisons nearly at maximum capacity, there is a very real threat that an organization such as the A.C.L.U. could pursue such actions in our state, as they have in others. That’s why it is imperative we move to more fully utilize private prison space—a solution that will result in true savings for taxpayers, and offer far greater protection for law abiding citizens than if the federal courts step in.
Every legislative session has its own challenges and opportunities, and the 2009 session is certainly no different. The greatest challenge we face this year is the fact that the national and international recession has now impacted Oklahoma. Our economy is still much stronger than many other states, but we are not immune to what is happening.
However, unlike the federal government, in Oklahoma our constitution requires us to write and pass a balanced budget. Unlike Washington D.C., we must live and operate within our means.
The reality is that we are faced with state revenue decreases and anticipated reductions in federal dollars to the tune of about $600 million. This is a significant challenge, but not insurmountable. In 2003, we were facing an even larger shortfall, yet we worked together to identify specific areas where we could make reductions and still make keep essential state services like education, public safety and critical infrastructure needs funded. We also worked to lay the groundwork for economic growth, and those efforts paid off—in fact those efforts and Oklahoma’s vibrant energy industry are why we remain in better economic shape than in other parts of the nation.
Senate Republicans have also fought to enact policies that can help us to identify waste, eliminate outdated and unproductive programs, and enact reforms that will ultimately make state government more efficient and our economy more productive. The unique opportunity we have been entrusted with in the 2009 session is that for the first time in Oklahoma’s history, we hold the majority in the Senate and in the House. Initiatives and reforms that were stonewalled and buried in the past now can be fully vetted and debated. We can stop the loss of medical professionals and assure greater access to healthcare by finally passing meaningful lawsuit reform. By enacting legislation to ensure reliable, objective information on student achievement and graduation rates, we can do a better job of preparing Oklahoma students for success throughout their lives.
We’ve already been able to achieve major successes in securing critically needed resources in our transportation infrastructure. We’ve also worked to ensure Oklahomans can keep more of their hard-earned dollars. Our members will continue to develop reforms and innovations that will enable us to build on those successes when the economy does begin to improve. I want to assure you that we do not take for granted the faith Oklahomans have placed in us, and are devoted to making our state stronger and more prosperous for all our citizens in the years to come.
It has long been said that the Oklahoma State Senate is a place where good bills are sent to die. That has begun to change as Republicans have gained seats in the Senate in recent years, but recent events at the State Capitol are proof that there are still some legislators who do not want to relinquish that dubious distinction.
This past week, Senate Democrats decided to vote in lockstep to obstruct several conservative reforms. Republicans had proposed legislation to let the people vote on whether to extend term limits to statewide offices. When this bill first passed earlier this session, seven Democrats voted for the bill. After the Attorney General raised concerns that the referendum would apply retroactively, the principal author of the measure, Senator Randy Brogdon from Owasso, worked with Drew Edmondson to craft amendatory language to ensure that would not occur. But when he tried to add that important amendment to the bill, not one member from across the aisle would help us. Democrat senators then locked up to defeat the term limits bill, resulting in it being sent to conference committee.
Senate Republicans had also won initial passage for legislation aimed at protecting the integrity of Oklahoma’s electoral process by requiring voters to provide some form of identification when casting their ballots. Democrats had initially jointed us in passing this measure, but when it came time for a final vote, they refused to cross party lines and the measure was killed.
We also authored a measure that would have let the people of this state decide whether to enact a law declaring English to be the official language of Oklahoma. This is something our citizens want, but when it came to the floor, Senate Democrats effectively gutted the measure, and then sent it to conference committee.
I believe it is highly unlikely the Democrat leadership will allow the term limits or English as the official language proposals come out of conference—the truth is these bills are more than likely dead for the session as well.
It is disappointing that these important, conservative reforms have fallen victim to partisan politics, but we have had success in other areas of reform, including greater protection for the unborn, tax relief, and as stronger commitment to properly funding Corrections as well as roads and bridges.
In the meantime, Senate Republicans will keep fighting for Oklahoma values. Good ideas cannot be buried forever. 
Consistent, conservative values are what the Senate Republicans bring to the table at the State Capitol. Legislation to strengthen and protect families, making budget decisions that will do the greatest good with the resources available, and determining how we can best grow Oklahoma’s economy are all part of those conservative values. This past week, we provided leadership in each of these areas. Every single member of the Senate Republican Caucus campaigned and was elected as a pro-life candidate. There was a time when we could not even get a committee hearing for these measures, but we’ve remained true to that cause and have succeeded passing major initiatives in recent sessions aimed at protecting the unborn and encouraging Oklahomans to choose life. This session, we passed new legislation to further advance that effort, only to have the bill, which passed with bipartisan support, vetoed by Governor Henry. The veto did not stand, and both chambers acted quickly to override. This legislation will protect the rights of healthcare providers to refuse to take part in an abortion and protects against coerced abortions. It will also provide a woman with an ultrasound of her unborn child which she has the option of viewing before undergoing an abortion. The measure also bans wrongful-life lawsuits. In the area of fiscal conservatism, we announced an agreement between both leaders of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, and the Governor to write and pass what amounts to a standstill budget, which will leave the rainy day fund untouched and strong should there be a true emergency in future budget years. This is a cautious approach that will allow our state agencies to continue to provide vital services in case revenues decline in the future. Considering the deep budget cuts other states are being forced to make this year, we in much better shape financially. On a separate note, I am excited that the Legislature enacted the bill authored by myself and Speaker Chris Benge providing a Quality Jobs incentive to help Oklahoma become the permanent home of an NBA professional team. This bill was not without its critics, but I cannot stress enough that this measure will not take one dime away from state revenues. The rebates provided for in the measure would come from funds that the state wouldn’t receive at all if no team is located here. Even with the rebates, the presence of such a team will still generate new revenues for the state, and further enhance not only our economy, but our image as a state that is growing and becoming better in every way.
The United States of America was born of the desire to live in a nation that ensured liberty for all its citizens—one that gave its people a say in their government through representative democracy. Our first president, George Washington, was urged to seek a third term, but declined. The concept of serving no more than two-terms became a tradition until the 20th century, when Franklin Roosevelt successfully sought a third and then a fourth term. In 1951, the Twenty-Second Amendment was ratified, limiting presidents to serve no more than two terms. Here in Oklahoma, we’ve always had term limits for our governors. Oklahoma’s constitution originally limited governors to a single, four-year term of office. This term limit was extended to two terms with the adoption of State Question 436 in 1966.
In the 1980’s, a movement began to extend the concept of term limits to other elected offices, including state legislatures. In 1989, a group of citizens began an initiative petition drive to put term limits for the House and Senate to a vote of the people. In 1990, it was approved overwhelmingly by voters, and Oklahoma became the first state in the nation to enact term limits for legislative seats.
I want to state that we had many fine citizens who served long, honorable careers in the legislature before term limits. But at the same time, there was a group of “good old boys” being reelected for decades on end, who were more interested in retaining their office and power than in moving our state forward. With the 12-year term limit on legislative service, we began to see a more diverse group of individuals running for office, bringing new ideas and energy to the State Capitol and helping pass progressive legislative to develop Oklahoma’s economy and enhance our quality of life.
This session, Senator Randy Brogdon, a Republican from Owasso, successfully amended a bill on the Senate floor to place a 12 year limit on the terms of Oklahoma’s statewide elected officials. Senator Brogdon said that term limits have brought fresh ideas and innovative thinking to the State Legislature, and that extending these limits to all statewide offices would have the same positive impact. I completely agree. If this measure is approved by the full House of Representatives, voters will have the opportunity to have their say on this issue.
In America, those accused of crimes have many specific rights—the right to an attorney, to a trial heard by a jury of their peers, and many other protections. The Founding Fathers included those things for a reason—our judicial system is based on the presumption of innocence, and they wanted to ensure the accused were treated fairly throughout the process.
But somewhere along the way, things got out of kilter. Suddenly, activists seemed to be completely obsessed with the rights of the accused, with no consideration whatsoever for the rights and well-being of the victim or their family members. Many times, people felt like they had been victimized at least twice—once when the crime was committed against them or a loved one, and again as they made their way through the legal process in the pursuit of justice.
Senate Republicans have been on the forefront when it comes to writing and passing legislation dealing with victims’ rights. It was a Senate Republican who authored legislation in the 1990s ensuring the family of a homicide victim had the right to witness the execution of the person who committed this heinous act.
I was author of a measure to allow photos—other than the crime scene pictures—of the victim in court, and I also carried a bill to ensure that a person giving a victim’s impact statement would not be subjected to cross-examination. A fellow Senate Republican, Jim Reynolds of Oklahoma City, authored legislation to allow the family of homicide victims to wear photo-buttons of their loved ones during a trial.
This year, Senator Jonathan Nichols of Norman has won Senate approval for legislation to ensure a victim or family member has the right to discuss their religious faith or the Bible when giving a victim’s impact statement in court. This legislation was filed as a result of last year’s ruling by the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals to overturn the death penalty in the Trooper Nik Green murder trial—in part because Green’s widow referenced God and the Bible in her impact statement.
Impact statements are given only after the accused has actually been convicted. And I do not believe their first amendment right of free speech is excluded in the court room. Senate Bill 2004 helps protect that right and the right of victims to say what is in their hearts.
This past week, one of the major news stories out of Oklahoma City was a stabbing at a local high school—possibly gang related. As parents, we send our children to school with the assumption that they are learning in a safe environment. But from time to time, there are stark reminders that this is not always the case. Clearly, we need to consider new approaches and models for education.
Senate Republicans have made tremendous strides this session in education reform, passing legislation that will result in positive change which, if enacted, will benefit children, families and communities for years to come.
Sen. James A Williamson of Tulsa was successful in amending a bill to contain one of these proposals—the New Hope Scholarship Program. This legislation would provide a tax credit for people who contribute to organizations providing scholarships for low income children. Those scholarships would be used for those students to attend an elementary or secondary private school in counties with populations of more than 450,000.
Senator John Ford of Bartlesville was successful in passing Senate Bill 2100, which would create a trial program that would allow 10 entire school districts in Oklahoma to be removed from many state mandates and regulations. By giving these school districts this opportunity, they will be able to utilize innovative and creative approaches in order to help their students become higher achievers. It gives greater input to the locally elected school board, while still allowing the state to retain oversight to ensure students are learning and progressing as they should.
Finally, the Senate adopted my legislation to allow Native American tribes to establish charter schools in Oklahoma and Tulsa Counties. Again, this will allow greater innovation and creativity in these schools, with the goal of improving student achievement rates.
You’ve probably heard it said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. For years, that seems to have been the approach that the state took toward schools. But if we really are serious about preparing Oklahoma’s children for an increasingly competitive workforce and a better future, then we can no longer afford to live in the past when it comes to education.
When visiting with other members of the Senate Republican Caucus, it is clear that when it comes to phone calls from our districts, the one issue that we get the most complaints about is property taxes and how they are continually going up.
A few years ago, Oklahomans enacted a cap that would limit yearly increases to no more than five percent. I’m sure many people thought that would mean their property taxes would go up less than that amount, and hopefully, some years stay the same. But instead, the full five percent has been the standard annual increase in many counties.
Senator Jim Reynolds introduced a measure this year that would enable the public to decide whether to lower that cap to three percent. That measure was approved by the full Senate this past week, although the debate was very intense. Opponents argued that this legislation would result in less money for schools and for county governments and the services they provide, including the maintenance of roads and bridges. That simply is not so.
Senate Joint Resolution 59 would not take away funding from the schools or counties. If approved by the voters, those entities would continue to receive exactly what they’ve been collecting, and possibly even more, each and every year. SJR 59 merely slows the rate of the increases, by reducing the five percent cap to three percent. Again, it does not take any money away from schools or from county roads and bridges. Furthermore, SJR 59 only applies to homesteads—it does not apply to commercial property.
I would never support a measure that I believed would hurt our schools. Certainly as a lawmaker, I want Oklahoma children to receive an excellent education. But it is also personal—my children attend public school so I have a vested interest in ensuring we are not taking funding away from those schools.
What we are doing is helping make sure the parents and grandparents of Oklahoma school children and their neighbors can keep more of their hard-earned money each year.
March 12 was the deadline for considering legislation introduced in the Senate and approved by committee. In the past, many innovative approaches and reforms were simply not heard. Now that Republicans have the majority in the upper chamber, those bills are getting the debate and consideration they deserve, and as a result, our key agenda items for this session now have an excellent chance of reaching the governor’s desk.
