Since the mainstream media has rolled over and played dead on this issue, it's great to see Mark Shannon and the blogosphere do their jobs for them.

From markshannon.com

Why AUBREY MCCLENDON would be an Honorary Co-Chairman for a homosexual candidate for CORPORATION COMMISSIONER. Mighty convenient when you're in the OIL AND GAS BUSINESS, don't you think? No conflict in interest there, huh? No ethical questions? No appearance of wrong-doing, do ya think??!!!?!?!

In a letter mailed to friends by Mr. Bennett and Mr. McClendon they state, "Moving Oklahoma forward by making it a better place to work and live is a mutual goal. Jim Roth also shares our vision of a pro-growth Oklahoma." They continue, "As the Incumbent, he is a leader that demonstrates the vision, integrity and experience necessary for the responsibility of this position."

(Insiders tell me that AUBREY is upset with REPUBLICANS because they won't rescind 1804, making it easier for Chesapeake companies like TOTAL ENVIRONMENT to more easily hire cheap, illegal, labor.

Apparently one of McClendon's minions has been calling in Republicans on various levels of government and reading them the riot act, TELLING THEM they should bend to his will. Apparently only Harry TURN Coates is willing to do his bidding, because 1804 still stands.) Read more...

Related:

EXCLUSIVE: Candid Emails Reveal Depths of 1804 Repeal Conspiracy; Ambush Planned for Rep. Terrill

EXCLUSIVE (Pt 5): Candid Emails Reveal Depths of 1804 Repeal Conspiracy; The Poll They Didn't Want You to See

Labels: Chesapeake Energy, HB 1804, Jim Roth

Posted at 5/15/2008 11:23:00 AM |

We understand the anti-HB 1804 political "masterminds" are upset at this week’s revelations on OKPNS regarding public support for HB 1804. They’ve misled the public since last January, but truth finds a way in America, and it sometimes even gets past the Oklahoma City capitol press corps and out to Oklahomans.

Perhaps you should assume that Sen. Coates has lost or misplaced other crucial documents in your quest to rip the public’s favorite law away from them. Now we’re not as smart as you, but here’s some fundamental advice that has been used for decades with some success:

First, assume Dirty Harry has screwed up all your plans, and that the pesky public will find out the truth someway, somehow. You’ve got to at least come up with a tale regarding the so-called ‘investigation’ at the Senate, and time is short.That great American, William Jefferson Clinton, had his staff release bad news with his spin, mostly after working hours on Friday evenings. It worked for the most part, and he didn’t even have the fawning and lazy capitol press corps you have there in Oklahoma City.

Second, take an inventory. If Dirty Harry lost all the items we’ve revealed, there’s probably more out there he has screwed up, if you know what we mean.

Third, there's a loose trail you need to tie up and soon: if there were any lies dealt in the so-called investigation of the 'hacked and stolen' e-mails and documents, you need to get those items covered up as soon as possible. Somebody, somewhere in the Oklahoma press may actually want to do a follow up story and ask for that information. It's a long shot, but it could happen!

Meanwhile, if anybody out there has more Dirty Harry information, you know where to send it to the tipline. okpns_editor@hotmail.com

Labels: Chesapeake Energy, HB 1804, Sen. Harry "Turn" Coates

Posted at 5/08/2008 02:03:00 PM |

Labels: HB 1804, Press Bias, Sen. Harry "Turn" Coates

Posted at 5/08/2008 12:22:00 PM |

Below are quotes from a Washington D.C. polling firm's "briefing memorandum" to Chesapeake Energy on the dim prospects of repealing or revising HB1804.

"Immigration is a top issue: Ranked third in an overall list of most important issues to voters"

"Messages with an emotional appeal are strong among women, Democrats, more liberal ideology and voters under the age of 55 years. Those who attend church regularly show a higher propensity to be impacted by emotional pieces of information about their fellow man"

"This indicates that with generic messaging about the impacts of this immigration legislation, voters easily become divided in their support and less certain about their positioning."

"While messages that create opposition to the legislation overall are limited, they each have a very common theme of conveying an emotional appeal."

Click here to read the entire memo.

According to its critics, House Bill 1804, the immigration reform bill, was the law passed in the 2007 legislative session that Oklahomans liked only because they didn’t know about the consequences. The law’s opponents, such as the chambers of commerce in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, the so-called ‘state’ chamber of commerce and their bosses in business and industry, would roll out a multi-million dollar campaign to ‘educate’ the ignorant ‘Okies’ and bring balance back to the galaxy.

Wrong.

Today, the Oklahoma Political News Service reveals why the cocky arrogance of blustering poseurs like Chesapeake’s Tom Price and Senator Harry Coates was all hot air from the very beginning.

By late January, the 1804 repeal crowd knew full well the extent of their impossible mission, but the smack talk kept flowing. Chatter about a multi-million dollar repeal effort filled the halls at 23rd and Lincoln. The pompous Price, who some naïve observers at one time believed to be a political expert, in actuality ran a comedic legislative campaign that blew up in his face when his equally arrogant senate partner, Coates, left his war plans in a capitol bathroom. Those plans, sent to OKPNS by an anonymous good citizen, revealed a blundering, fumbling and ill-conceived effort masterminded by the most inept gaggle of political ‘consultants’ assembled in recent memory.

Today the 1804 repeal effort is as dead as Julius Caesar because the people of Oklahoma made up their own minds about HB 1804.

Labels: Chesapeake Energy, HB 1804, Sen. Harry "Turn" Coates

Posted at 5/07/2008 08:15:00 AM |

Labels: HB 1804, Sen. Harry "Turn" Coates

Posted at 5/05/2008 03:37:00 PM |

Related:

Video: Sen Harry Coates - "It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to."

Hat tip: okiecampaigns

Labels: Chesapeake Energy, HB 1804, Sen. Harry "Turn" Coates

Posted at 4/22/2008 08:20:00 PM |

"Left leaning" and "Liberal professor" Mickey Hepner responds to our post today on his coordination with anti 1804 forces:From Mickey's Musings:

Today the Oklahoma Political News Service website posts a charge that I have been coordinating with State Sen. Harry Coates on efforts to repeal HB 1804....

I don't mind that OPNS called me "left-leaning" or a "liberal professor". As I have said before my conservative friends think I'm too liberal, and my liberal friends think I'm too conservative. I think I am a little of both. But before OPNS states something as fact, they should at least get the facts straight. In this case, it is clear that OPNS did not. Read more...

Labels: HB 1804, Sen. Harry "Turn" Coates

Posted at 4/17/2008 06:12:00 PM |

"Here is a draft release that the EIG economist may be sending out. I think it would be a great idea for you to touch bases with KyleDean."- Jami Longacre (Click here to read entire emails.)

Last week, the worst newspaper in the nation ran a snippy, childish editorial that took a less than courageous shot at HB 1804 author Randy Terrill, D-Moore. The editorial, which more resembled a child’s tantrum than a real discussion, quoted from a study commissioned by the Oklahoma Bankers Association. The study, the kids at the America’s worst proffered, “could cut the state's economic output by $1.8 billion in the first year by driving away foreign-born workers.” It then went on the quote now disgraced state senator Dirty Harry Coates, for heaven only knows why given Coates’ recent meltdown and public humiliation. The problem is the study is a phony prop engineered to advance the now-dead effort to repeal HB 1804 as we demonstrated through Coates’ own notes and e-mails last week.

Today, the Oklahoma Political News Service reveals more documents that show the “spin” from the study was rigged by left-leaning University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) economics professor Mickey Hepner in coordination with Dirty Harry. Coates was provided an advance copy of the ‘spin’ when the study came under fire by the indefatigable Terrill. Banking lobbyist Jamie Longacre, who represents ‘Republicrat’ banker Kell Kelley of Spirit Bank, was the conduit on this errand. Coates’ scribblings give a clue to the frantic nature of the anti-1804 gang, as the e-mail notes show Coates editing the final draft.

(Click below sentence to see coordination)

Another set of e-mails show Hepner briefing Coates as the liberal professor stacks a so-called forum aimed at agricultural leaders with anti-1804 proponents, yet another example of the deceit and dishonesty that the anti-1804 cabal appears to specialize in delivering to Oklahomans.

The now-discredited study was the rock on which the left-leaning editorial staff based its crybaby editorial. We at OKPNS are as embarrassed for them as they must be now.

Related:

EXCLUSIVE: Candid Emails Reveal Depths of 1804 Repeal Conspiracy; Ambush Planned for Rep. Terrill

EXCLUSIVE (Pt 2): Candid Emails Reveal Depths of 1804 Repeal Conspiracy; Is Sen. Coates Working for the People or Chesapeake Energy?

EXCLUSIVE (Pt 3): Candid Emails Reveal Depths of 1804 Repeal Conspiracy; Regarding Dirty Harry’s Notes

Mark Shannon: CHAMBER, OKLAHOMAN:"SELL YOUR SOUL OKLAHOMA"

Labels: Chesapeake Energy, HB 1804, Rep. Randy Terrill

Posted at 4/17/2008 11:37:00 AM |

Democrats in Oklahoma are decrying the growing disparity between the richest and the poorest families in the nation, and especially in Oklahoma. They are citing a report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, which reports that nationally,

For very high-income families — the richest 5 percent — income growth since the late 1990s has been especially dramatic, and much faster than among the poorest fifth of families

and in Oklahoma,

The richest 20 percent of families have average incomes 7.3 times as large as the poorest 20 percent of families.

The purpose of the Center, of course, is not to accurately report the status of the nationa or state-level economic conditions, but instead:

The Center conducts research and analysis to inform public debates over proposed budget and tax policies and to help ensure that the needs of low-income families and individuals are considered in these debates. We also develop policy options to alleviate poverty.

So what has caused the growth in recent years of this "inequality" between the rich and the poor? Could it be that the United States has been importing poor people for the past two decades by the millions? Actually, yes, as the Center unwittingly addresses the problem issue it has raised, on the "About Us" page:

Part of the Center’s work on means-tested programs involves seeking to improve the access of low-income legal immigrants to these programs, both by expanding eligibility and by removing barriers that prevent already-eligible immigrants from obtaining benefits. The Center is relied on as a source of analysis and innovative policy options by a variety of organizations that work on immigrant issues, as well as by federal and state policymakers.

Hmmm....

Labels: Budget, HB 1804, Illegal Immigration, Immigration Reform

Posted at 4/14/2008 08:03:00 AM |

OKPNS has been covering Oklahoma's immigration reform bill, HB 1804 extensively since it was first authored, and there have been some interesting developments this week, as opponents of the legislation plot with our state's energy companies, regents for higher education, treasurer's office and others to have the bill repealed.

We would like to know if our readers think HB 1804 is good or bad for Oklahoma. Please give us your opinion, below.

Labels: HB 1804, Polls

Posted at 4/11/2008 09:16:00 AM |

"One client is adamant that they want the guest worker -visiting worker -program as an option to raise immediate revenue."

"We need to put our stuff in a bill with a friendly bill author."

"If you need me to write any materials for you to use on this issue, please let me know."

-Lobbyist Vickie Rankin

Click here to read entire emails.

"We can 'play nice' for a short while but we will soon have to decide if we wish to continue this tactic or just 'go-for-broke' and turn the Senate upside down. If Coffee does not change his attitude about this, that's exactly what will have to be done. I don't know what else we can use for leverage if all else fails. He is going to look really silly if he continues to fight with Tom."

"I think we have to just bring everyone in and say "folks, this is what's coming down the tracks and it won't be possible for you to just sit on the fence any longer."

-Sen "Dirty Harry" Coates

"Well, this is a lot of fun, sort of." - Lobbyist Otie Ann Fried

Click here to read entire emails

AN ANALYSIS

More insight for OKPNS readers today into the minds of the of the anti-1804 cabal, also known as "the gang who couldn’t shred straight."

Out latest offering from the tip line provides more insight into the precise strategy of the anti-1804 campaign, and demonstrates just how deceptive the effort has been. Taken as a whole, it is clear to see that the so-called 1804 education effort, advanced by the pompous and self-important Chesapeake employee Tom Price, was nothing more than a bluff aimed at HB 1804 author Randy Terrill. Instead, the documents show that delaying implementation of some aspects of HB 1804 is where the anti-1804 campaign had placed all their eggs, as demonstrated by our revelations about the March 30th Flashpoint program.

More examination reveals some of the leading players in the inept and deceptive repeal campaign, and hand-written notes level some petty and nasty comments about other players in the failing effort. Lobbyist Jamie Longacre, who represents Spirit Bank CEO Kell Kelly, a very public 1804 foe, is seen to emerge as a major architect of the delay tactics.

Further, the documents reveal the recent Oklahoma Banker’s Association study, presented as an independent gauge of the alleged harm to the Oklahoma economy, was rather a public relations stunt staged in coordination with the anti-1804 campaign.

The notations in the margins provide much comic relief. For instance, the state chamber of commerce is ripped by the writer, who types “if they had done their job last year we wouldn’t be in this fight. Enough said”. The author then appears to misspell the word ‘looser” in the margin next to chamber boss Dick Rush’s name. Several other hand-written notes regarding the chamber appear all across the strategy document.

The author holds others out for contempt in varying degrees in typed and hand-written notes, including lobbyists and some organizations such as the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. But the most interesting aspect of this particular document is the attention given to Senate Co Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee. At one point the document’s author writes, “go to Glenn….see what it takes,” apparently in reference to Coffee. Later, the writer notes that Coffee is against delaying full implementation of 1804, and begins to script a campaign plan.

Other interesting items in typewritten text:

"The other question that comes to mind is whether I go to Glenn to see what his intentions are. If he plans to move forward with 'English Only' and will not commit to supporting the effective date delay and Task Force, then more drastic measure[s] may be considered. That will cause a real 'fire-storm' but if all else fails, I don't see too many other options."

Next, an examination of the handwriting just below that paragraph: "Glenn does not want to delay implementation." Then, in the handwriting, the strategy and message are identified, which centers on using release of the banker's study as leverage for a delay and subsequently a phony ‘task force.’

For those not reeling from the hilarious and inept planning musings, comic relief is just around the corner when you examine the comments about the state chamber, Agriculture Commissioner Terry Peach (“he said he will get out front on this”); the governor (“He needs to take a stand on something of substance, this is the right issue”); the Indian Affairs Commission (“it amazes me that they keep quiet on this when they were treated so poorly by the "first immigrants"). Further, the writer pens some unflattering remarks from what appears to be Dirty Harry include Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins (“not want to rock the boat”),

The writer also implicates more co-conspirators: including the Regents for Higher Education, (“Burns Hargis ... is in agreement with our effort”), and state treasurer Scott Meacham (“Amy Sparks who is the Chief of Staff offered her help last week”).

Another e-mail exchange between Dirty Harry and lobbyist Jami Longacre clearly shows that Longacre is in charge of coordinating the messages.

Today’s latest post also shows more coordination of strategy and messages with lobbyist Vicki Rankin and healthcare advisors, lobbyist Otie Ann Fried and a senate staff mole, Lewis LeNaire.

One item we’ve uncovered discloses the existence of television commercials, which the anti-1804 group had scheduled to begin on April 2nd or 3rd.

But perhaps most disgusting is Dirty Harry’s comment about his fellow Republican, Coffee. "We can 'play nice' for a short while but we will soon have to decide if we wish to continue this tactic or just 'go-for-broke' and turn the Senate upside down. If Coffee does not change his attitude about this, that's exactly what will have to be done. I don't know what else we can use for leverage if all else fails. He is going to look really silly if he continues to fight with Tom."

Unfortunately for the gang that couldn’t shred straight, there is someone looking silly, and it isn’t Senator Coffee. Clearly, the inept and treacherous gang of incompetents that constitutes the anti-1804 repeal gang didn’t take the original Dirty Harry’s advice, “A man’s got to know his limitations.”

Related:

AP: Missing e-mails lead to Senate Probe

Mike "Follow the Money" McCarville: Harry Coates: Senate Investigation Underway Into Disappearance Of File From His Office (3 Posts in one day! Glad you could make it Mike!)

Mark Shannon:

"Interesting to note, TOM PRICE was never identified as Sr. VP for Chesapeake at any time during the show, according to a report on the OKPNS....Seems to me to be just another attempt to try and demonize the millions of Oklahomans who support 1804 and are glad to see the ILLEGALS forced out of the state, and the businesses who hire illegals held accountable for supporting them while they are here." Read more...

EXCLUSIVE: Candid Emails Reveal Depths of 1804 Repeal Conspiracy; Ambush Planned for Rep. Terrill

EXCLUSIVE (Pt 2): Candid Emails Reveal Depths of 1804 Repeal Conspiracy; Is Sen. Coates Working for the People or Chesapeake Energy?

Labels: 1804, Chesapeake Energy, HB 1804, Rep. Randy Terrill, Scott Meacham, Sen. Harry "Turn" Coates, V. Burns Hargis

Posted at 4/10/2008 06:27:00 PM |

Eyewitnesses tell the Oklahoma Political News Service tonight that Sen. Harry Coates, (R)- Sell Out, literally hid out in his office today after our exclusive disclosure of this confidential email citing a list of potential supporters for the repeal of 1804. The list included top state officials Lt. Governor Jari Askins, Treasurer Scott Meacham, and Governor Brad Henry as potential supporters.

Sources say local media "camped out" in front of Sen. Coates office for an hour to no avail this afternoon. To encourage the press to go away, Coates told the waiting press he would hold a press conference tomorrow morning. As of this post, Sen Coates still has not sent out a press release giving the reason for the hastily called news conference.

Developing....

UPDATE: From Mike "Follow the Money" McCarville: (His 1st post on the three day controversy!)

Coates To Address Leaked Emails, Hate Calls

"Senator Harry Coates said tonight he will meet with members of the press to discuss the leaking of private communications and hate calls to his office and family members because of his opposition to the state's new immigration law." Read more...

Labels: 1804, Chesapeake Energy, HB 1804, Sen. Harry "Turn" Coates

Posted at 4/09/2008 07:32:00 PM |

Since billion dollar Chesapeake Energy Company is too cheap to hire Americans and would rather hire unskilled - and probably illegal - workers from Mexico, we suggest the above cost effective shredder for their future document destruction needs. And it's American made!

With all the time Sen. Coates is putting in to the scheme to repeal 1804, we wonder what time does he have to address his constituents concerns?

Below are a few choice excerpts from the Coate's email. We're sure after reading our story today, a few of these folks will be leaving Sen. Coates off their Christmas card lists this year.

Labels: 1804, Chesapeake Energy, HB 1804, Rep. Randy Terrill, Scott Meacham, Sen. Harry "Turn" Coates, V. Burns Hargis

Posted at 4/09/2008 11:12:00 AM |

"Flashpoint will be having Randy Terrill and Harry Coates on this Sunday. If anyone wants to give Mike some fodder, please send to me." Susan Turpen

"In fact I think we should get together with Harry [Sen. Coates] if he has time and discuss not even really getting into a debate with Randy but merely pointing to the need to move more cautiously."

"I suppose lastly I might ask him [Terrill] about his family tree"

Tom Price Jr. - Sr. VP Chesapeake Energy Corporation

"Am I crazy, it is 10:30 and I have had lots of wine but I really like this argument!" Otie Ann Fried - Fried Kilpatrick Guinn Consulting

Click here to read entire emails.

What does the bumbling senate architect of the sagging HB 1804 repeal effort, an arrogant and insulting flunky to the Chesapeake CEO and his tipsy lobbyist, the wife of a goofy fat lawyer/co-host of a fading television political talk show who has sponged millions of dollars in legal fees because of his ties to Attorney General Drew Edmondson have in common?

They and many more capitol regulars are exposed as major conspirators in a clumsy, dishonest and incompetent conspiracy to repeal Oklahoma’s landmark 2007 immigration reform bill, HB 1804.

In part 1 today, the Oklahoma Political News Service reveals a coordinated effort by the plotters to stack the March 30th Flashpoint program, which hosted guests Randy Terrill, HB 1804 author, and Sen. Harry Coates, chief opponent of HB 1804.

Shockingly, a review of the program indicates that Turpen did not declare at any point in the program that he works for Chesapeake, a glaring conflict-of-interest that viewers are entitled to know under any journalistic standard. “If KFOR management knew but chose not inform their viewers, this revelation will kill the program,” one media observer tells OKPNS. “But if Turpen withheld the information, he’s got to be removed immediately if there is any hope of salvaging the program’s reputation.”

The station’s management has not returned OKPNS calls regarding this explosive revelation, but OKPNS is told that it is common knowledge that Turpen works for Chesapeake.

To his credit, the other Flashpoint panelist, Oklahoma City businessman and former Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphries did declare his ties to repeal efforts by virtue of his leadership positions in the city chamber of commerce.

A review of the program reveals Turpen continually engaging Terrill with questions our documents reveal to be concocted from the repeal group, which appears to be headed by Chesapeake employee Tom Price. Price, who observers tell OKPNS group is arrogant and rude but has been unmasked this session as none too bright when it comes to political strategy, at one point insultingly writes that Terrill’s “family tree” ought to be subject of questions. “The man is basically all hat, no cowboy, and his screw-up’s are really hurting Chesapeake’s reputation,” a capitol insider recently told OKPNS a few days ago before these damaging revelations.

Ironically, Terrill is a regular panelist on News9’s Thursday Your Vote Counts program, which has far more viewers than Flashpoint. Time after time the anti-1804 panelists tried to trip up Terrill with trick questions, only to be frustrated. Turpen in particular appears to be very frustrated, particularly when Terrill turned the tables ands asked the rotund lawyer questions he was unable to answer.

The documents reveal late night e-mail exchanges between another Chesapeake lobbyist Otie Ann Fried, who suggests a strategy to Price and then says “Am I crazy, it’s 10:30 (PM) and I’ve had lots of wine…” Price apparently agreed with the wine and exhaustion strategy as Turpen and Sen. Coates utilized the advice on the March 30th Flashpoint.

Other delicious nuggets gleaned from the documents include Turpen’s wife Susan interjecting herself in the process, imploring the group to send her questions that she will pass along to Turpen, who apparently cannot think of questions on his own.

The documents reveal other players in the loop include a former partner in Congressman Tom Cole’s old consulting firm, Deby Snodgrass, now another Chesapeake employee, lobbyist Pat Hall, Patricia Fennell, executive director of the Latino Community Development Agency, a private non-profit organization in Oklahoma City and Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs President Hopper Smith, a former legislator. The Fried e-mail does not indicate whether or not Smith favors immigration reform repeal, but the documents suggest he was at a meeting with Fried and told a story of his days in the legislature which was apparently the inspiration for the late night wine-filled brain storm that she passed on to Price.

The document also reveals that the group is resigned to abandoning engagement with Terrill, which they have avoided for over a year. When reminded of that on Flashpoint on March 30th, Turpen, frantically, almost spastically interrupts repeatedly that “they will’ at some point actually talk to Terrill about the issue, which is clearly contradicted by the obtained documents.

Some strategy not actually fueled by booze does creep into the discussions, which clearly proves our post from April 3rd is correct: that the repeal effort has been quietly dropped, and instead the group is instead attempting to delay implementation instead.

Developing...

Related:

RedState.com: Erick Erickson's "Under the Radar" column (3rd story)

Labels: HB 1804, Mike Turpin, Rep. Randy Terrill, Sen. Harry "Turn" Coates

Posted at 4/08/2008 06:00:00 PM |

Updated April 3, 2008: The Flashpoint video is now available. Watch Session One by clicking on the image below. Sessions two-four are also available here.

Original Post, April 2, 2008

Despite the bluster and overheated rhetoric coming from the rich anti-immigration reform opponents regarding a multi-million dollar education and repeal effort, rumors are flying that the campaign is dead before it can be launched.

Some reports indicate that Chesapeake officials, the titular leaders of the repeal effort, are dropping the effort, which was first exposed in Oklahoma Political News Service.

Viewers of KFOR’s Flashpoint were treated this weekend to the sight of HB 1804 author Randy Terrill’s appearance on that show with Sen. Harry Coates, an 1804 opponent. Flashpoint regular Mike Turpen, a consultant to Chesapeake, and new co-host Kirk Humphries, a chamber stalwart, were practically begging Terrill to delay implementation of 1804. KFOR even teased Terrill’s Sunday appearance on their Friday 10PM newscast. The irony of Terrill, a regular on News9’s top-rated Your Vote Counts, being used to boost Flashpoint’s ratings, was just too rich. So is the fact that so far, the episode has not being made available on KFOR's website, although the Flashpoint episodes are normally a regular feature there.

Insiders say that many legislators have grown weary of Chesapeake’s “arrogant and rude” attitude at the Capitol. They also tell OKPNS that Chesapeake’s lobbying team has made major tactical errors on legislation, and that anti-Chesapeake forces have gained control of legislation badly wanted by Chesapeake.

One insider describes the situation this way:

They overreached, they bullied and they threatened. Now their corporate welfare package is on life support.

If the rumors are true, Terrill has achieved a major defeat of the out-manned anti-1804 crowd. Polls indicate that the Moore representative’s measure is extremely popular with rank-and-file voters, and some observers believe that a repeal effort had virtually no chance of succeeding regardless.

OKPNS will stay on top of this developing story.

Labels: Chesapeake Energy, HB 1804, Rep. Randy Terrill, Sen. Harry "Turn" Coates

Posted at 4/03/2008 07:58:00 AM |

According to a study commissioned by the Oklahoma Bankers Association, Oklahoma's immigration reform bill, HB 1804, could have the unintended consequence of driving away legal immigrants, which they are referring to as "foreign-born workers."

The study, as reported by The Oklahoman, indicated:

Oklahoma's tough anti-illegal immigration law could slash the state's economic output by $1.8 billion in the measure's first year as it drives away thousands of foreign-born workers.

According to the study's authors, there is only "anecdotal evidence" that legal immigrants might be leaving the state, but that did not stop the Oklahoma Banker's Association from publishing the study.

In reality, there is actually no evidence that even the illegal workers are leaving the state in substantial numbers, and, as OKPNS has previously reported, even many of those who did leave appear to be coming back, due to lack of enforcement of the the law.

Labels: HB 1804, Illegal Immigration, Immigration Reform

Posted at 3/31/2008 01:36:00 PM |

Andrés Chao, who is the consul at the Mexican Consulate in Little Rock, AR, extablished in 2007 at the invitation of Gov. Mike Huckabee. Tulsa, Oklahoma is in the official "jurisdiction" of this Mexican consulate, so Chao was in the city this week, "to meet with Mayor Kathy Taylor, Police Chief Ron Palmer, and other city officials. While Chao has already visited Tulsa several times since it was opened the Mexican consulate in Little Rock, Arkansas, Chao told The Week in the South that this will be their first 'official visit' with the leaders of the city," according to the Spanish-Language periodical, La Semana del Sur. The magazine conducted a phone interview with the Consul on March 14th, and quoted Chao as saying (Translated by Google from Spanish):

This will be the first time that I will meet with the mayor and police chief. I want to know because Tulsa is part jurisdiction of this consulate. I would like to talk to them about the situation of the Mexican immigrant community… and to open channels of communication. This will be my first official visit to the mayor and the chief of police.

The magazine also states, "Chao also plans to schedule future 'mobile consul' events in Tulsa to offer in-person help to those who can not travel to Little Rock."

It is not clear at this time how Mexican citizens are able to travel to Tulsa, which is ten hours from the Mexican border, but not to Little Rock, AR, which is four hours from Tulsa.

VDare blogger, and Oklahoma City native, Allan Wall reported last year, when the consulate was being built:

Oklahoma does not (yet) have a Mexican consulate/illegal immigration encouragement station. But Chao is consul in the nearby state of Arkansas, in the new Little Rock consulate So, being next door to the Sooner State, he can still do some damage. [El Nacional July 5, 2007--México abre nuevo consulado en EU]

Now, here's the 65-thousand-peso question: If cities in Oklahoma have now come under the "jurisdiction" of a foreign government, why are we having to struggle through language translators to get information about it? Shouldn't this be all over the English-language press, as well?

(Hat-Tip, Voice of Tulsa)

More information about the Mexican Consulte in Arkansas on WorldNetDaily.

Labels: Andrés Chao, HB 1804, Illegal Immigration, Immigration Reform, Kathy Taylor, Mexican Consul

Posted at 3/27/2008 09:08:00 AM |

Devona Walker, of NewsOK.com is reporting today:

The federal government has increased fines for hiring illegal immigrants by as much as $5,000, effective today, as part of an effort to ramp up worksite immigration enforcement, but some say the nominal increase isn't likely to change how some companies do business.

NewsOK is quoting Muzaffar Chisti, director of the Migration Policy Institute's New York office at New York University, who is skeptical that this change will make a big difference:

It's not clear to me that this will put a huge dent in the practice of hiring illegal workers. This will be nothing more than the cost of doing business. It will not be a determining factor. But if they start imposing criminal fees and employers start getting jail terms then you will see a dent.

Larger companies, as a rule, have more choices in picking employees than smaller companies. If the employers start going to prison, they will eventually say, ‘It's not worth it, let's just pay a dollar or two more to get U.S. workers.'

People have good reason to be skeptical that this is nothing more than symbolic language to make it appear as if they are getting serious on (illegal) immigration.

Toughly-written legislation in Oklahoma, such as HB 1804, has not produced the illegal immigration mass-exodus "shock and awe" that some had expected. It is unclear whether the new legislation at the federal level will have an impact, either.

Labels: HB 1804, Illegal Immigration, Immigration Reform

Posted at 3/27/2008 08:41:00 AM |

Senator James A. Williamson (R-Tulsa), the Senate author of House Bill 1804 and the co-chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said yesterday regarding a study by the Oklahoma Bankers Association regarding House Bill 1804, Oklahoma’s illegal immigration law:

Oklahoma’s economy is stronger and in much better shape than the national economy, and we’re probably doing as well as ever here in Oklahoma. We certainly aren’t seeing any evidence that HB 1804 is negatively impacting our state economy. In fact, most Oklahomans believe that our state will benefit in the long run from the reforms contained in House Bill 1804.

Even if a few businesses are impacted by a departure of illegals from Oklahoma, this will be more than offset by the positives to the taxpayers of Oklahoma. The legislation gets illegal aliens off of welfare, reduces the substantial costs of illegals to public education, and keeps illegals who have left the state from committing crimes or driving in Oklahoma without insurance. All of these public benefits were why the legislation passed by overwhelming margins in the House and Senate.

HB 1804 was passed by the Legislature in 2007. It eliminates welfare benefits and most other public assistance for illegal aliens, and mirrors federal laws that make it a crime to harbor, transport, or shelter an illegal alien. The Oklahoma Bankers Association claimed in its study that HB 1804 will have a negative impact on Oklahoma’s economy.

Labels: HB 1804, Sen. James Williamson

Posted at 3/26/2008 10:31:00 AM |

The screw-job that is the NBA Sonics coming to town will explode in more detail this week, insiders tell the Oklahoma Political News Service.

Gov. Henry floated a trial balloon yesterday for the millionaire owners of the Seattle Sonics, who continue their double-cross of Oklahoma taxpayers.

Henry is quoted today as saying that Oklahoma must "do more" to bring the NBA to Oklahoma City, despite the fact that Sonic ownership has repeatedly told the Seattle media that the Sonics are coming to Oklahoma City, period.

Insiders say some outrageous liberal proposals will be introduced in the next few days. First, the state's Quality Job Programs, an incentive to lure new business to Oklahoma, will be expanded to include professional sports teams. Second, the incentive will be expanded from 5.% of a company's taxable wages to 5.5%. Third, an outrageous state income tax 'rebate' will be quietly included, which will result in the Sonic's multi-millionaire players sending their Oklahoma state income tax not to the state treasury, but rather to the pockets of the team's owners.

Watch for more trial balloons this week. Our insiders say Republicans will carry this latest taxpayer rip-off legislative effort, and that members of all caucuses are divided as to what to do about this brazen money grab. Once insider tells OKPNS that if the taxpayers ever pay attention to what's going on, "There will be blood."

To refresh your memory, it was OKPNS who broke the story of the sell-out to millionaires.

Stay tuned to OKPNS to see how state leaders spin and dissemble on the public. For the latest in Sonics propaganda/corporate welfare news, click here.

Related:

Lazy OK Press Follows OKPNS Lead (2/18/2008)

OK Media Wakes Up: Double Crossers In Cross Hairs? (3/ 07/2008)

Labels: HB 1804, Rep. Randy Terrill, Supersonics Clay Bennett

Posted at 3/25/2008 09:31:00 AM |