Oklahoma House GOP to pick leadership team

After helping to increase his party's political control of the state House to the largest margin ever, Republican House Speaker Chris Benge is expected to remain in the post when House Republicans gather at the state Capitol Friday to select a leadership team for the next two years.

Benge, of Tulsa, was chairman of the powerful House Appropriations and Budget Committee when he was elected speaker in January after Rep. Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, resigned from the post following revelations that he submitted late property tax payments and did not file state personal income tax returns. Cargill did not seek re-election.

Since becoming speaker, Benge has won praise from GOP House members for his methodical governing style and assistance during this fall's round of elections in which he helped raise campaign funds and even made phone calls and campaigned house-to-house for GOP candidates.

"Speaker Benge was extremely active in our campaign cycle. I think the results bear that out," said Rep. Ken Miller, R-Edmond, who succeeded Benge as House budget chairman. "Speaker Benge did an excellent job of managing our races and equipping them with the funds necessary to be successful."

In addition to Benge, Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, is seeking the House's top job. Reynolds said that while he has no animosity toward Benge, he believes Benge has been slow to reverse what Reynolds said was a "very dictatorial" leadership style imposed during Cargill's time as speaker.

"While we are selecting new leaders, what we have not discussed is leadership style," Reynolds said. "I think Chris Benge is an honorable guy. But he had a year to change things and he didn't. He has not addressed even now what changes he might implement if he is elected speaker."

Reynolds said he wants House leaders to develop an inclusive approach to governing that encourages all members of both political parties to participate.

"I want everyone at the table, starting from within our caucus," Reynolds said. "I hope he will try to change the direction of our caucus."

Other House Republicans indicated Benge will easily be re-elected speaker.

"I don't anticipate him having any trouble whatsoever. He's got near unanimous support in the caucus," said Jason Nelson of Oklahoma City, a newly elected House member who said Benge helped him in a difficult campaign that he won with less than 51 percent of the vote.

"The speaker was tremendously helpful. Anything I needed him to do he helped with," Nelson said.

Rep. Dennis Johnson, R-Duncan, said Benge was very helpful in winning re-election in a district that was among the seats targeted by House Democrats.

"Speaker Benge was kind enough, at my invitation, to come down and knock on doors with me. I appreciated his help," Johnson said. "I highly respect our speaker. He came in at a very difficult time and has had a steady hand."

House Republicans will also decide whether Speaker Pro Tem Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell, will remain in his position. Reps. Kris Steele, R-Shawnee, and Don Armes, R-Faxon, are also seeking the job.

Reps. John Wright, R-Broken Arrow, and Scott Martin, R-Norman, are seeking the caucus chairman job currently held by Wright.

Friday's caucus vote will be ratified at a Jan. 6 organizational meeting of the full House.

X-State Sen. Lawler is looking to return to the Legislature

X-State Demo Sen. Daisy Lawler is looking to return to the Oklahoma Legislature - this time in the House of Representatives.

The Comanche Democrat announced plans to seek the House District 50 seat currently held by Duncan Republican Dennis Johnson. The district includes portions of Stephens, Cotton and Comanche counties.

A retired educator, Lawler won the Senate District 24 seat in 2002, but lost in her bid for re-election in 2006.

Lawler's husband, Larry, also served in the Senate for one term from 1991 to 1995.

Sykes Says Senate Democrats Blocking Public Safety Issue

Senator Anthony Sykes said Tuesday that Senate Democrats are not allowing his House Bill 3001 to come out of conference committee.

HB 3001, authored by Sykes and Representative Dennis Johnson, R-Duncan, is an anti-gang bill that brings tougher penalties for those who encourage recruitment into gangs. Under the provisions of HB 3001, any person who knowingly aids in enlisting a minor into a gang or gang activity will be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment and a fine. In addition, any person who commits or even attempts a “gang-related offense as a condition of membership” in a gang will also be guilty of a felony.

HB 3001 has been assigned to GCCA (General Conference Committee on Appropriations), but Senate Democrats have blocked Sykes’ effort to schedule a hearing for this bill.

“Gang violence is a very serious issue in Oklahoma and it is disappointing to say the least that Senate Democrats are ignoring this critical public safety concern. In an effort to further protect Oklahoma citizens and deter gang growth and activity, I urge my fellow colleagues to quit playing party politics and allow this legislation to be voted on by the Senate.”

Tardy taxpayers at state Capitol

Tardy taxpayers at state Capitol
Sun April 13, 2008

Rep. Lance Cargill, R-Harrah
Cargill filed overdue federal and state income tax returns after the Tax Commission warned him in January about missing 2005 and 2006 state returns, The Oklahoman reported earlier. He said then he was due refunds. He also paid property taxes late on his Harrah law office six years in a row. The late fees added up to more than $560.
"I take full responsibility,” he said in January.




Rep. Greg Piatt, R-Ardmore
He was late on 2004 business personal taxes on a snow cone stand. Also, his distributing company was late on 2006 business personal taxes, records show. He said the 2006 taxes were the office manager's responsibility. Late fees totaled $4.97.

"Everyone should pay what they owe,” Piatt said. "Obviously, paying late does happen. That's why there are penalties involved. You pay your stuff and you get it right the next year.”


Rep. Don Armes, R-Faxon
Armes fell behind on both income tax returns and property taxes. He was late on his 2005 and 2006 state and federal returns. He said they are in now and he got refunds. He was late on 2001 taxes on his home and 2002 taxes on a rental house. He said those were bank errors. He also was late on 2007 taxes on a house in Lawton he was renovating for sale. He paid Jan. 28, records show. Late fees totaled almost $100.

"The project took longer than expected,” he said of the fix-up house. "Once I realized that this redo house was not current, I paid those immediately, in full.”


Rep. Richard Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City
Morrissette was late four years in a row on property taxes for a rental home, The Oklahoman reported Feb. 1. Morrissette paid $271.01 in penalties and interest.

"It was an oversight,” he said in January.




Rep. Charles Key, R-Oklahoma City
Key was hit in 2006 with a tax warrant alleging he owed the state $1,525 in unpaid 2004 income taxes, penalties and interest. A Tax Commission spokeswoman said Key made a partial payment but still owes more than $1,000.

Key also was late eight years in a row on the property taxes on his home. His tardiness cost him $356.17 in penalties and interest.

"There were some mistakes made,” Key said of the tax warrant. "I take full responsibility for it. ... We got it worked out. ... It was a disagreement over how much was owed. ... There's nothing I can say to make it look good. ... I try to pay my taxes like everybody else but I'm a middle income earner and it's difficult sometimes to pay your taxes and pay all the expenses that you have.”


Rep. Randy McDaniel, R-Edmond
McDaniel fell 13 months behind on 2006 property taxes on his rental properties even though he is a longtime financial adviser.

He said he had new life priorities — a marriage, a move and a new baby — and never got a tax bill. He paid the Oklahoma County Treasurer on Feb. 4 to catch up on the late 2006 and late 2007 property taxes. He also was late on some 2001, 2003 and 2004 property taxes. Late fees totaled almost $1,900.

"I'm very proud of my history of always paying everything on time and in full in every endeavor, which probably would be reflected in a consumer credit report,” he said last week. "I do know if I was ever late for any payment of any kind, whether it be a credit card payment, a phone bill or in this case, it was definitely unintentional.”


Rep. Terry Harrison, D-McAlester
He is taxed on his home, a steak house, a law office and rental houses. Some payments were late on 2004, 2005 and 2006 taxes. Late fees were about $430.

The steak house also was late in paying $778.96 in sales taxes, a tax warrant shows. Late fees on the sales taxes were $586.70.

"I have people who write checks for me,” Harrison said. "Literally. I never write any of my checks. I have employees that do. And if one of my employees was remiss in paying something on time, certainly it's my responsibility and my fault. I can't blame anyone else. ... I should have been a better supervisor.”


Rep. Phil Richardson, R-Minco
Richardson said he owns a Caddo County hog farm that has almost $2,700 in overdue real estate taxes. He said the company leasing the farm is supposed to pay.

He was late on 2004 and 2006 property taxes on his home and other land in Grady County. He paid the first half on time but missed the deadline for paying the second half. Late fees were $15.28.

"It's pretty easy to forget the second time because you pay the first-half taxes and they don't send you a statement. Sometimes it's been confusing on when that is due,” he said last week. "Basically, this past year, I just paid it all at once.”


Rep. Jabar Shumate, D-Tulsa
The Tax Commission warned Shumate in January about missing 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2006 state income tax returns. He said last week he has caught up on those state returns and overdue federal tax returns, too. He said, overall, he got refunds. He plans to send in his 2007 returns today — two days early.

"You get to moving fast,” Shumate said. "I didn't check back with my tax man to make sure certain things were done. There were some years I filed extensions and I didn't follow up. I've gone throughout my district to apologize. It was a huge oversight on my part.”


Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, D-Tulsa
McIntyre was late in paying her 2004, 2005 and 2007 property taxes on her home. Late fees totaled $21.37.

McIntyre paid her 2007 bill after a Tulsa newspaper reporter contacted her Jan. 31.

McIntyre said before then she had scolded Shumate for not filing his tax returns.

"I just chewed him out,” McIntyre said of Shumate. "And I'll be durned if I didn't get a call, too, about my property tax. ... I could have sworn last year that I paid those. I was truly shocked. Although it sounded, you know: ‘Yeah, right, here's another lying politician.' I thought I had paid it.

... We're public officials, and I have no excuse. ... It should have been done. It wasn't done. But it won't happen again. Now, that, I do know. I was on the school board in Tulsa for 16 years, starting in 1981. So I do know the value of property taxes. Definitely.”


Rep. Dennis Johnson, R-Duncan
He is taxed on his home, rental properties and business. He was late on some payments in six of the last seven years. Late fees totaled more than $340.

"One person might argue that it's neglect, and I guess, after a fashion, it is. I don't think it's entirely unusual,” he said last week. "I will admit that I've been late from time to time. It's not something I deliberately did. ... It's a difficult thing to keep track of. I'm active in my church, and I'm active in a gospel group, and I'm active in my business and I'm active in politics. ... You've got a lot of things on your plate at any given time.”


Sen. Charlie Laster, D-Shawnee
He was late four years in a row in paying real estate taxes on his home. Late fees totaled $132.94. He said he tried to pay his 2007 tax bill on time, New Year's Eve, but the courthouse was closed.

"I didn't consider it a big deal, but then there has been a lot of notoriety brought to it since then, so I'm certainly going to be more careful about it now,” Laster said last week.


Rep. Ryan McMullen, D-Burns Flat
He filed overdue 2006 federal and state income tax returns shortly after getting a Tax Commission warning in January. He said he got back more than $2,000 in refunds. He said he filed his 2007 tax returns months early.

"I've never been so on top of that in my life,” McMullen said last week.


Rep. Jerry McPeak, D-Warner
He's missed one tax deadline since elected four years ago, paying 2004 real estate taxes late. He also was late on 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2003 real estate taxes as well as some personal property taxes. Late fees were $75.58.

"I just overlooked it,” he said last week. "I've never been in politics before. So, honest to gosh, I never worried about it before.”

Sen. Jeff Rabon, D-Hugo
He paid 2003 and 2004 property taxes late on his then-home. Late fees were $87.29. He owes $82.08, plus a $3.70 penalty, on the 2007 property taxes on his new home, records show. Taxes were due Jan. 31.

He said the treasurer sent the 2003 tax bill to the previous homeowner. He said his mortgage company made a mistake on his 2007 payment. He had no explanation for the late 2004 payment.

"I'm an imperfect human. I make mistakes,” Rabon said last week.

Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City
He was late a few weeks on his 2001 property taxes on a lot in Moore and his 2006 property taxes on his Oklahoma City home. His late fees were $32.63.

"One year, I paid ... a day late or something,” Reynolds said. "The other one, it's simply I missed it last year.”


Rep. Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell
He was late in paying property taxes on his home 13 years in a row and on rental houses some years, The Oklahoman reported Feb. 1. His explanation was he was mistaken about when property taxes were due.

"I'm not blaming anyone but myself,” Blackwell said in January.

Sen. Connie Johnson, D-Oklahoma City
Johnson missed deadlines to file her 2004, 2005 and 2006 state tax returns, records show. In January, she blamed a 2002 divorce and said she was behind on federal returns, too. She has caught up on the state returns, The Oklahoman was told.

Gov. Henry AWOL and Duncan is the Crapemyrtle Capital of Oklahoma

I see that Gov. Brad Boy is AWOL...

It’s Official;
Duncan is the
Crapemyrtle Capital of Oklahoma

Lt. Gov. Jari Askins had the honor of being acting Governor of the state the day her hometown of Duncan claimed a new title—the Crapemyrtle Capital of Oklahoma. Senate Concurrent Resolution 44, by Sen. Anthony Sykes and Rep. Dennis Johnson, won final passage Wednesday at the State Capitol. Sykes represents Duncan in the State Senate, and said he was extremely pleased that both chambers approved the measure unanimously.

“In preparation for the Centennial, the Beautification Committee of Dream Duncan’s Destiny urged citizens throughout the city to plant crapemyrtles, including along the highways and main thoroughfares, helping make Duncan an even more beautiful place to live, work, play and visit,” said Sykes. “The citizens have earned the title of Crapemyrtle Capital of Oklahoma, and now it’s official.”

Rep. Dennis Johnson was the principal House author of the measure, and said SCR 44 will help the community’s efforts to promote economic growth.

“We’re so excited that we’ve had the opportunity to designate Duncan the Crapemyrtle Capital of Oklahoma,” said Johnson, R-Duncan. “We’ve had great success with our economic development efforts, and this is another piece of the puzzle in promoting our community. As we look for ways to bring more families and businesses to our city, this designation will help us market Duncan.”

Because Gov. Brad Henry was out of state, Lt. Gov. Jari Askins was acting Governor when SCR 44 won its final passage in the Legislature.

“I was born and raised in Duncan, and it’s still my home. I am so proud of what my friends and neighbors there have been able to accomplish,” Askins said. “On behalf of the people of Duncan, I want to thank Senator Sykes and Representative Johnson for carrying this measure, and the entire Legislature for joining in its passage.”

A Look Back for Lawmakers... (Part 2)

Published: December 27, 2007 05:02 pm

Legislators weigh in on 2007
By Jaclyn Houghton
CNHI News Service

OKLAHOMA CITY — What challenges did you face as a freshman legislator this year?

“The biggest challenge for me as a freshman is learning the ropes … the little ways you get stuff done.” --- Rep. John Enns, R-Enid

“For any freshman legislator there’s a pretty steep learning curve in learning how many eyes get to see everything … here you are as a freshman trying to convince 100 minds in the House and 48 minds in the Senate that it’s a good idea.” --- Rep. Dennis Johnson, R-Duncan

“The biggest challenge, I would say, is getting a consensus with House members on House Bill 1804 (the immigration bill). What I was disappointed with was the veto of tort reform.” --- Rep. Charlie Joyner, R-Midwest City

“The biggest challenge was knowing what to expect, especially from a time management perspective.” --- Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie

“There’s a huge learning curve. Although I studied political science and went to law school, it’s so much more than drafting a piece of legislation and hoping it gets passed.” --- Rep. Scott Inman, D-Del City

“I think, in particular this year, the biggest challenge is trying to set the groundwork of the next 100 years for our state’s history … sometimes you get caught up in the moment, but really you have to have a long-term view of what you’re doing.” --- Rep. Scott Martin, R-Norman

“My biggest challenge is how much reading is involved. Whenever you have to read 15 to 25 bills a day it becomes a huge challenge to get them read. My other biggest surprise is how many other legislators don’t read them.” --- Rep. Brian Renegar, D-McAlester

“Coming from just a workingman background, just the (understanding the) legalese … they make the very simple complicated as far as legislation.” --- Rep. George Faught, R-Muskogee

What challenges do you still face as a senior legislator with one year left to serve?

“(This year) with the tied Senate, I served as (Republican) floor leader. The challenge was trying to build relationships with not only those on our side of the aisle but those on the other side or else legislation wasn’t going to move forward.” --- Sen. Owen Laughlin, R-Woodward

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As a senior legislator with only one year left to serve, what have you noticed over the years?

“As much as things change, a lot stay the same. A lot of those overwriting issues still remain.” --- Sen. Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater


Jaclyn Houghton is CNHI News Service Oklahoma reporter