October 10, 2007
On The Cover
Sham Democrats: Sooner Party On The Ropes
By Frosty Troy
Oklahoma’s rank and file Democrats are concerned about the future of their party, ripped by an internal fracas that could shred it.
What’s Inside
Frosty’s Notebook: Theocracy?
By Frosty Troy
If you think the religious right consists mostly of fundamentalist freaks who will lose their drive to turn America into a theocracy, guess again.
Speaker Snared In Ethical Web?
By Arnold Hamilton
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission’s investigation into 2004 House Republican fundraising tactics hasn’t just thrown a scare into Speaker Lance Cargill and his considerable political ambition.
Terrill’s Devotion To Voodoo Economics
By Arnold Hamilton
Voodoo, redux? Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, is leading the charge yet again for more state tax cuts, despite projections that the cost of financing Oklahoma’s basic services – much less its debts – could exceed revenues as early as next year.
Oklahoma Report Card Improving
A national report card shows Oklahoma was one of 14 states to make gains at both Grade 4 and 8 mathematics and at Grade 4 reading. The state remained statistically unchanged in Grade 8 reading, but statistically at the national average.
Public Ed Haters Target Rural Schools
By Tom Ivester
In 2006 the Oklahoma Legislature passed a $3,000 per teacher pay raise. However, the Legislature failed to fully fund the raise. This included failure to provide money for the retirement and tax costs and money for federally mandated positions. These were unfunded mandates.
House Plays ‘Chicken’ With Merit Pay
By Jay Paul Gumm
As children, we learn about the game known as “chicken.” This is a game most of us learn on elementary school playgrounds, but it is also played in politics. A big game of “chicken” with serious consequences for Oklahoma’s children is underway.
Public Forum
Water Wars Heat Up As Drought Ends – North Texas Still Thirsty
By Robert Jackman
Our 2002-06 drought is history, and lakes and streams are full from summer floods. Why worry? Because when the Comprehensive Water Plan is presented to legislators in 2011, it may be too late.
Pity Replaces Dislike Of Clarence Thomas
By Colin T. Bent
In recent days, my feeling towards Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has progressed from total dislike and near hatred to one of pity and deep sympathy.
Observations
Stay Tuned!
The current distress of the Oklahoma State Democratic Party ought to alarm all Oklahomans, not just Democrats. The stakes are much higher than personalities or internal politics.
Nursing Homes
Oklahoma’s nursing home problems seem to be eternal. They have taken another lump from Oklahoma Health Department inspectors are they checked a national survey.
Sexual Assaults
Roughly one in seven of America’s active-duty military soldiers is a woman, but an investigation found that sexual assaults and rape are widespread.
Rice’s Race
We keep hearing some Democrats say that state Sen. Andrew Rice, D-OKC, is on a fool’s errand in seeking to oust Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, a national joke.
Say What?
No telling what is tucked in the various corners of the state budget, but the latest revelation is one for the books.
Good Ethics
The new ethics rules are working. The Tulsa Metro Chamber had to cancel a weekend feast for legislators because of the new rule that a lobbyist principal can’t spend more than $300 a year in gifts.
No! Not Again!
Here we go again. The Corrections Department has finalized its budget request for the fiscal year beginning July 1 – $572 million, with an increase of $90 million.
Rush Jr.?
Will Oklahoma public education survive its mindless critics? Latest example is a screed published in the Oklahoma Gazette under the byline of attorney Jason Reese.
