From the Vault (2008): Sen Harry Coates - It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to

Oklahoma State Sen Harry Coates (60 year old) - 
Talk about how He lost his notebook in the bathroom

And now it look like 29 year old Haley Atwood 
(who is having a extramarital affair with 
Coates) is also crying too, more to come...

(I Sleep a lot) Henry has set a date for a special election to fill Sen. 47

(I Sleep a lot) Henry has set a date for a special election to fill the Oklahoma State Senate seat currently being held by Lt. Governor-Elect Todd Lamb.

Lamb was elected November 2 and will be sworn into office January 10. He announced Monday he would vacate his Senate seat on that date.

Gov. Henry announced a primary election for Oklahoma State Senate District 47 will be held January 11.

Voters will go to the polls for the general election February 8. A filing period for the office will be held December 13 - 15.

Republican Kenny Goza, Steven Dobbs, Greg Treat, Carol Hefner have file SO-1 with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission to run so far

Senator Sykes Pleased by Passage of State Questions 751 and 755

State Sen. Anthony Sykes (R - Dist 24 Moore/Duncan) said he was extremely pleased by the overwhelming support voters gave for a Constitutional amendment to make English the state’s official language and a second Constitutional amendment to ban Oklahoma courts from considering international or Sharia law when making decisions. 

Sykes, was the Senate author of legislation placing the two questions before voters.

“I’m extremely pleased that both questions were not only approved, but passed by overwhelming margins,” Sykes said. 

“Yesterday’s awesome support of these two state questions reflects the values and ideals so important to citizens in every part of Oklahoma.”

State Question 751 is a Constitutional amendment that requires all official state actions to be conducted in English, protecting Oklahoma from costly legal actions seeking to force the state to provide services in multiple languages. It received the highest percentage of approval of the nine state questions passed.

State Question 755 is a Constitutional amendment forbidding Oklahoma courts from using foreign or Sharia law as a basis for any legal decisions. Sharia is Islamic law based on the Quran and is used to govern such countries as Iran.

“Certainly each of these measures had critics, but the crushing margins by which these Constitutional amendments passed shows without a doubt that those critics are deeply out of touch with the values and views of Oklahomans, just as Washington D.C. is out of touch with America,” Sykes said.

Sykes serves as Majority Whip and represents Cleveland, Grady, McClain and Stephens Counties

The Sykes Update for Feb. 12, 2010

Oklahoma State Senator Anthony Sykes filed SB 1392

Oklahoma State Senator Anthony Sykes has filed SB 1392:

The measure states: “The Department of Human Services shall establish a program of drug testing for those persons applying for or receiving assistance pursuant to the TANF program.
Those persons refusing to submit to the drug test, or having a confirmed positive drug test, shall not be eligible to receive assistance.”

RINO Sentor Brian Crain benefits from own bill

Crain benefits from own bill
He sponsored a measure to let county treasurers hire their own attorneys, a position he now has.

By KEVIN CANFIELD World Staff Writer

Then-freshman state Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa, sponsored legislation in 2005 that eventually cleared the way for a contract with the Tulsa County Treasurer's Office that currently pays him $4,000 a month.

Senate Bill 478, cosponsored by Rep. Ron Peters, R-Tulsa, added county treasurers and county assessors to the list of county officials authorized to employ their own general counsel.

In 2007, the law firm Crain was associated with — Boone, Smith, Davis, Hurst & Dickman — was contracted to represent the Treasurer's Office in all bankruptcy proceedings for a fee of $3,000 a month, $1,000 of which went to the state senator. Crain himself contracted with the county the next year at a fee of $4,000 a month.

The Tulsa County Board of Commissioners recently agreed to renew Crain's contract under the same terms for fiscal year 2010. Thus far, Crain has been paid $60,000 for his services as an attorney.

The agreements, approved by the Board of Commissioners, do not require Crain to detail his legal work on behalf of the Treasurer's Office.

Crain said last week that he did not have future employment in mind when he sponsored the legislation, noting that the original version would have allowed for other county elected officials, including county commissioners, to hire outside legal counsel.

He sponsored the bill "because I thought it was in the best interest of Oklahoma that county treasurers could hire their own attorneys to represent them in these matters," he said.

Crain said he learned that lesson as a Tulsa County assistant district attorney from 1996 to 1999, when he occasionally did bankruptcy work on behalf of the Treasurer's Office.

"When you're a county, you really needed to have the ability to get legal services that are very specialized to your legal requirements," he said. "District attorney's offices weren't necessarily funded to do that; therefore, they were very limited in how they could provide effective legal action and do the kind of criminal work they needed to do."
$1.35 million collected

Tulsa County Treasurer Dennis Semler said he was happy to see the law changed because it allowed him to hire another former assistant district attorney, Gordon Edwards, who, like Crain, had done work for the Treasurer's Office.

Semler said he valued Edwards' work so much that for several years before the law was changed, the Treasurer's Office paid the District Attorney's Office $50,000 a year to help fund Edwards' position.

When the law took effect in 2005, Edwards — who has since retired from the DA's Office — was hired by Semler. Edwards was paid a straight retainer fee of $2,000 a month while bringing in $3 million in back taxes from 2005 to 2007, according to figures provided by the Treasurer's Office.

The $2,000 monthly fee was a "sweetheart deal" made possible by the fact that Edwards was working out of his home, Semler said. The treasurer said he measures Crain's job performance the same way he measured Edwards' job performance — by the back taxes he collects for the county. Through May, Crain had collected $1.35 million, records show.

"I'm concerned about how much money is coming in and how much he collects and are we getting good value," Semler said. "But in terms of us monitoring his day-to-day activity, of course I don't do that."

Semler said he agreed to pay Crain $4,000 a month because that is what Crain told him he would need to continue doing the job.

"I felt like, looking at the return we were getting, that justified that kind of fee," Semler said. The treasurer said he preferred the flat fee because it allowed him to control his costs.

Crain, who is paid a base salary of $38,400 for his work in the state Senate, defended the arrangement. He said that at any given time the county is involved in about 400 bankruptcy cases. Records show an average of about 400 bankruptcy accounts a year on file in the Treasurer's Office over the last three years.

"If you assume 400 cases, that's about $10 a month per case on my contract," Crain said. "I think the county is getting a pretty fair deal out of the situation."

Crain said that any other pay arrangement, such as billing each time services are rendered, could become cumbersome and time-consuming given the sheer number of cases he is involved in.
Didn't expect to benefit

"I was comfortable doing it on a fixed rate not for any other reason than I'm a better lawyer than an accountant," Crain said. He also said his hiring did not represent any kind of quid pro quo with the Treasurer's Office.

In sponsoring the bill, "I had no expectation but that this was better for county government," Crain said.

He also had an answer for those who might find it unseemly for a lawmaker to be filling a position he helped create.

"I feel very comfortable that I followed the letter and the spirit of the ethics rules and was a proponent of legislation that I didn't believe I was going to benefit from," he said.

Crain noted that he did not go looking for the job and that the agreement he signed has been vetted by not only the treasurer but all three county commissioners.

"This was not done without the knowledge and approval of four people who stand for election based on their performance," he said.

Assistant District Attorney David Iski said he could not speak on behalf of the county commissioners. But he added that, as their legal counsel, he had not "found any conflict with the state Ethics Commission rules for Brian Crain as a lawyer to represent the Treasurer's Office in federal bankruptcy court."

This will upset the Tea Pot LOL

VERY BIG NEWS coming out in the next few weeks about a Statewide Elect Official stepping down and what State Senator Gov. Brad Boy appointed to the Office...

Oklahoma State Senate Supports Adoption Bill (SB1029)

State Senator Steve Russell has won support in the Senate for a bill to create more uniformity in adoptions and ensure full disclosure of fees. Senate Bill 1029, by Sen. Steve Russell, was approved unanimously Thursday. Russell, R-Oklahoma City, is an adoptive parent, and said the measure could actually result in lower costs for private adoptions.

Russell noted that a grand jury investigation had exposed instances of financial exploitation of Oklahomans who were seeking private adoptions. “While specific medical and attorney fees are legal and appropriate, a 2006 Grand Jury stated that it was ‘appalled at the nature and types of items allowed to be purchased on behalf of a birth mother’ which included ‘cars, television sets, and vacations,’” Russell said. “Prospective parents could be vulnerable in the language of our current law without a requirement for an itemized accounting of all fees. My bill would change that.”

SB 1029 would also ensure parents have a full disclosure of all state laws dealing with adoption as well as regulations impacting the adoption of children of Native American ancestry.

“Requiring a complete accounting of what every fee is for means there will be far less opportunity to extract money from adoptive parents for inappropriate items. They also will have a far better understanding of exactly what the law requires when it comes to either private or public adoption.”

Russell’s legislation now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

The Sykes Update for Feb 2, 2009

The Sykes Update for Feb 2, 2009, Senator Sykes talk about Gov. Henry State of the State and his new Chairmanship.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM COFFEE TO OFFER VICTIM’S PROTECTION LEGISLATION IN ’09 SESSION

Noting the increase in domestic violence in our culture and the necessity to assure the rights and protection of victims of such acts, Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee will offer two important pieces of legislation in the upcoming legislative session to address victims’ concerns.

SB 894 will allow a rape victim to have immediate access to medical care without pursuing legal charges against her attacker. At this time, a nurse or other medical professional is required to contact local law enforcement at the time a victim seeks medical attention.

Often, in the aftermath of an attack, rape victims are too traumatized to seek medical assistance, knowing their case will be immediately reported to law enforcement. Under the provisions of SB 894, a victim can seek help, and pursue legal recourse at a less stressful time in subsequent hours or days.

“Victims, traumatized by a sexual attack and the specter of legal action, often delay or forego medical treatment, for fear of the legal consequences,” said Pro Tem Coffee. “This legislation will allow those victims of the most personal violence imaginable the security of seeking help immediately, and pursuing legal action at a time when they are under less pressure.

“This is a reasonable, timely reform for victim’s rights,” Coffee said.

“Senate Bill 894 is very important to the safety of victims and provides them better access to medical treatment,” said Tonya Lee, a representative of the Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. “In addition, this will bring Oklahoma into compliance with the federal Violence Against Women Act.”

Coffee will also offer SB 932, allowing those who have sought protection from an emergency Victim’s Protective Order to obtain an emergency concealed carry license for their protection. These one time licenses will be subject to the normal OSBI background check, will last 180 days.

Senate Works to Meet Bill Filing Deadline

Thursday, January 15 marks the deadline for members of the Oklahoma State Senate to file legislation for the 2009 session, the first of the 52nd Legislature.

By 5 p.m., 1,054 bills and 35 joint resolutions had been filed, with staff members expected to work into the evening filing the final measures. In 2008, the Senate considered 1,069 new bills as well as 31 new joint resolutions. In 2007, a total of 1,130 bills and 32 joint resolutions were filed by members of the Senate.

Members of the public can read and download current legislation by going to the official State Senate website at www.oksenate.gov and following the link for legislation at the top of the homepage.

Oklahoma State Senate having Legislative Information Training Classes

The Oklahoma State Senate website includes legislative bill tracking information, copies of all versions of bills including committee reports, daily agendas, meeting notices, calendars, and an array of useful information.

This information is available on the web site earlier than it is available in hard copy. Many new features have been added to the system. The training classes are open to everyone and will last approximately one hour.

This year the training will also be broadcast on the Senate’s website. Select the link for audio and video in Room 419-C.

The training will be in Room 419-C in the capitol on the following dates:

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.

Wednesday, January 28th, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.

Questions (405) 521-5687

Senate Republicans Announce Policy Agenda

Republicans in the Oklahoma State Senate released their policy agenda for the 2009 legislative session today, calling for a fairer and more business friendly tax policy, reform of the archaic and business-unfriendly legal system in Oklahoma, and to continue to improve our state’s infrastructure.

In concurrent news conferences in the State Capitol and Tulsa, Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee and Republican Caucus Chairman John Ford said Senate Republicans also desire to reform Oklahoma’s election system, assuring clean and fair elections while imposing term limits on statewide elected officials, as well as provide health care access to more Oklahomans and to continue to promote national energy independence through a vibrant Oklahoma energy industry.

“Republicans have sat in the background in forming public policy for too many years now,” said Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, “but with thanks to the voters of our state, we will now have a seat at the head of the table.

“We will not squander this opportunity,” he continued. “We believe the voters responded to the better ideas we offered in campaigns across the state, and we will do all we can in cooperation with the Governor and the House to deliver a new brand of government in Oklahoma.”

“Oklahomans have given Senate Republicans a great responsibility,” said Republican Caucus Chairman John Ford. “We recognize the challenge and opportunity that lies ahead of us, and we are committed to working together in bringing positive reforms to Oklahoma.”

Major policy initiatives proposed by Senate Republicans include:

Establishing a more fair and equitable tax system and responsible budgeting practices in Oklahoma government;

Ensuring sufficient funding for our state’s infrastructure, particularly the roads and bridges which will allow our business climate to grow and prosper, and protect the safety of commuters across the state;

Protecting Oklahoma families through more affordable healthcare options and providing access to top quality healthcare to all Oklahomans;

Shoring up the Oklahoma Teacher Retirement system for all present and future educators in the system, allowing us to attract and keep better teachers for generations to come, and providing more local control and and great choice for school boards and parents;

Improving our legal system and business climate by reforming our Workers Compensation system and continuing the charge to reform our tort process, thereby lowering costs, creating jobs, attracting more physicians and protecting the rights of all Oklahomans.

The 2009 legislative session begins Monday, February 2, and runs through the last Friday in May.

The November elections gave Republicans a majority in the State Senate for the first time in State history with a total of 26 members.

State Senate Republicans to Unveil 2009 Legislative Agenda on Wednesday

State Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, and Assistant Majority Floor Leader Mike Mazzei, and members of the Senate Republican Caucus will unveil the Senate GOP’s policy agenda for the 2009 legislative session at two simultaneous news conferences on Wednesday, January 7, 2009.

Oklahoma State Senate to Convene on Tuesday

The Oklahoma State Senate will formally convene for its first meeting of the 2009 session at noon on Tuesday, January 6th. Members will formally elect Senator Glenn Coffee as Senate President Pro Tempore for the 2009-2010 legislative sessions.

This marks the first time in state history that Republicans have held the majority of seats in the upper chamber.

The Senate will also vote to install Paul Ziriax as Secretary of the Senate and the State Election Board, and will adopt rules for the 52nd Legislature.

After conducting its business, the Senate will adjourn until Monday, February 2nd.

Brogdon Appointed to Chairmanship

Click here to go to
Sen. Brogdon Website

With the 2009 session
only weeks away,
Senate committee assignments
have been announced.

Senate President Pro Tem Designate Glenn Coffee appointed Senator Randy Brogdon to chair Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and General Government. He was also selected serve as vice-chair of the Energy and Environment Committee.

"I'm honored to have been appointed to these two positions," said Brogdon. "I'm anxious to get to work on the legislation assigned to our committee. Both committees deal with some very important issues for our state and I'm proud to be able to play a role in helping move meaningful legislation through the process."

The Owasso Republican was one of only ten senators appointed to serve dual roles as both a chair and vice-chair.

Brogdon has served as co-chair of the Appropriation Subcommittee on Transportation and General Government for the past two years and has been a member of the Energy and Environment Committee since 2005.

Along with his leadership positions, Brogdon will also serve as a member of the Appropriations Committee, Business and Labor and Transportation.

President Pro-Tem Coffee Names Oklahoma Senate Committee Vice-Chairs

Senate President Pro Tem Designate Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, named the Senate’s new committee Vice-Chairs on Wednesday. Committee chairs were announced last week.

Under the new committee structure, which was reduced last week from 22 full committees and standing subcommittees to 20, fifteen Republican Senators and five Democrats will assume leadership roles in their respective committees in the 2009-10 legislative session.

“I’m very excited by the energy and expertise represented in this bipartisan list of committee and subcommittee vice-chairs,” said Coffee. “Our state will benefit greatly by the very capable leadership these members of both parties will bring to their new roles over the next two years.”

The State Senate’s committees and committee vice-chairs for the 2009-10 session are:

Agriculture Committee:
Sen. Mike Schulz, R-Altus

Appropriations Committee:
Sen. David Myers, R-Ponca City

Business and Labor Committee:
Sen. Dan Newberry, R-Tulsa

Education Committee:
Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond

Energy and Environment Committee:
Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso

Finance Committee:
Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa

General Government Committee:
Sen. Roger Ballenger, D-Okmulgee

Health and Human Resources Committee:
Sen. Sean Burrage, D-Claremore

Judiciary Committee:
Sen. Susan Paddack, D-Ada

Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee:
Sen. Steve Russell, R-Oklahoma City

Retirement and Insurance Committee:
Sen. Cliff Aldridge, R-Midwest City

Rules Committee:
Sen. Earl Garrison, D-Muskogee

Tourism and Wildlife Committee:
Sen. Jerry Ellis, D-Valliant

Transportation Committee:
Sen. Bryce Marlatt, R-Woodward

Veterans and Military Affairs Committee:
Sen. Don Barrington, R-Lawton

Appropriations Subcommittee on Education:
Sen. John Ford, R-Bartlesville

Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government:
Sen. Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa

Appropriations Subcomm. on Health & Human Services:
Sen. Patrick Anderson, R-Enid

Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources:
Sen. Ron Justice, R-Chickasha

Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety:
Sen. Jim Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City

For the first time in the state’s history, Republicans have the majority in the Oklahoma State Senate.

Senate Republicans picked up two seats on Election Day to win a 26 to 22 majority.

What will be the 2009 GOP Senate Agenda ?

Oklahoma State Senate President Pro Tempore Designate Glenn Coffee and Majority Floor Leader Sen. Todd Lamb, talk about what will be the 2009 GOP Senate Agenda ?

State Senate Leader Finalizes GOP Majority Staff

Oklahoma State Senate President Pro Tempore Designate Glenn Coffee announced Tuesday that he has finalized his majority leadership staff for the 2009 legislative session.

Coffee’s staff includes:

Fred Morgan,
Senior Policy Advisor and Legal Counsel to the President Pro Tempore

Former State Rep. Morgan continues in his role as Coffee’s top aide.


Becky Woodie,
Personal Assistant to the President Pro Tempore

Ms. Woodie has served as Coffee’s personal assistant since he was first elected to the State Senate a decade ago.


Gwendolyn Caldwell,
Majority Leadership Legislative Director

Ms. Caldwell first joined Coffee’s leadership staff four years ago as deputy leadership assistant.


Randy Swanson,
Majority Leadership Communications Director

Mr. Swanson is the new communications director for Coffee and the Majority leadership team.


Ashley Kehl,
Majority Leadership Media Assistant

Ms. Kehl first joined Coffee’s leadership staff in 2007 as a receptionist and staff assistant, and was later promoted to media assistant.


Brittnee Preston,
Majority Leadership Legislative Assistant

Mrs. Preston interned for Coffee’s office during the 2007 session before joining Coffee’s staff as a full-time employee.


Rita Chapman,
Administrative Assistant / Constituent Relations and Appointments

Mrs. Chapman was an assistant to Coffee at his law firm prior to joining the Senate staff in 2007.


Sonja Wall,
Administrative Assistant / Receptionist

Ms. Wall worked for 8 years as an executive assistant at the State Senate before joining Coffee’s staff last week.

Last week, Coffee announced that another aide, Paul Ziriax, is leaving the leadership staff to accept Coffee’s appointment to the dual position of Secretary of the Senate and Secretary of the State Election Board.

Coffee’s staff includes a personal assistant plus seven leadership staff, for a total of eight employees. By comparison, when Democrats last held the Senate majority in 2006 the Pro Tem’s office employed 11 people (a personal assistant, 9 leadership staff, and a consultant).

Coffee Names Randy Swanson to Senate GOP Communications Post

Oklahoma State Senate President Pro Tempore Designate Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, announced today that Randy Swanson of Yukon will join Coffee’s Senate leadership staff as Majority Leadership Communications Director.

Swanson brings more than 25 years of experience in public relations, politics and government service to the State Senate. He will direct media, press, and public outreach activities for Coffee and the Senate’s Republican leadership team. For the first time in the state’s history, Republicans have the majority in the Oklahoma State Senate.

“Randy has a wealth of experience in both the public and private sector, so we’re very excited about bringing his many talents to the State Senate,” stated Coffee. “Randy Swanson will do a great job helping Senate Republicans get out our message of fiscal responsibility, traditional values, creating jobs, and reforming state government,” he said.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to join the President Pro Tem’s leadership staff at this historic time,” said Swanson. “Senator Coffee is a remarkable and distinguished leader. I appreciate the confidence he has in me, and I look forward to helping the members of the Senate’s new majority tell our story in the upcoming legislative session.”

During the 2008 election cycle, Swanson served as executive director of the Oklahoma Republican Senatorial Committee. Senate Republicans picked up two seats on Election Day to win a 26 to 22 majority.

Swanson, 50, is a former chief of staff and press secretary to U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas and a former administrative aide and campaign manager to former Corporation Commissioner J.C. Watts. He also is a former regional political director for the Republican National Committee.

In addition to political and government experience, he has consulted various local, national, and international ministries and non-profit organizations on media and public relations. Swanson's volunteer activities include work as Public Relations Chairman for the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon and as a publicist for Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity.

Randy Swanson has been married to his wife Carol for 28 years. Carol Swanson is teacher in the Yukon Public Schools system. The Swansons have three sons: David, 20, is a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Joel, 16, and Luke, 13, are students in Yukon Public Schools.

The Swansons are active members of Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. Swanson is a graduate of Southern Nazarene University, where he earned a bachelor of arts in communications and business.

He starts his new job at the State Senate on December 1.