“We need to take the politics out of this situation as much as possible. Considering impeachment of a statewide-elected official is very serious, and we plan to move forward in a bipartisan manner so the charges can be fully reviewed without bias.” - Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa.

DEVELOPING... Sources are telling the Oklahoma Political News Service tonight that as early as next week, new Speaker Chris Benge will start assigning members to a special investigative committee with full subpoena power. It is expected that the special committee will ultimately file articles of impeachment against the embattled State Auditor and Inspector. OKPNS will continue to investigate.

Labels: Jeff McMahan, OK House

Posted at 2/11/2008 08:06:00 PM |

The Oklahoma House of Representative issued the following press release today:

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 5, 2008) – Rep. Ken Miller was named chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee today.

Miller has served for the last year as vice-chairman of the committee under now House Speaker Chris Benge, who vacated the chairmanship for his new role. As chairman of the Appropriations and Budget Committee, Miller will play a vital role in hearing the first round of budget bills through committee this session, and will have a key part in determining how the state will spend taxpayer dollars this year.

Miller, R-Edmond, was first elected in 2004 and is an economics professor at Oklahoma Christian University.

“Rep. Miller’s economics background will serve him well as the chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee,” said Benge, R-Tulsa. “I have full confidence in his abilities.”

Labels: OK House

Posted at 2/05/2008 01:54:00 PM |

Sources are telling the Oklahoma Political News Service tonight that with the uncertainty about who the new House speaker might be, Danny Morgan is saying he may be able to make a coalition speaker arrangement – where a small group of unsatisfied House Republicans would work out a deal with House Democrats to pool their votes together and elect either Danny or a fringe Republican as speaker. But insiders say that to even have a chance of pulling that off, House Democrats are looking to clean up their own leadership team.

As the mainstream media miraculously reported this week, the recent tax problems weren't just Republican problems. Several members of the House Democrat caucus were also listed as having issues paying their income and/or property taxes. They included Jabar Shumate of Tulsa, Ryan McMullen of Burns Flat (or of a part of El Reno that's outside his district, some say), and Richard Morrissette, Al McAffrey and Al Lindley of Oklahoma City. Several of them play important roles on the House Democrat leadership team.

Shumate, an assistant minority floor leader is one of the worst offenders. He has failed to pay his income taxes five times in nine years and McMullen recently stepped down as caucus chairman in order to devote his time to running the caucus' 2008 campaign operation. (Charlie Laster, who's been designated to take over for the term-limited Mike Morgan for Senate Democrats, has also had trouble paying his property taxes.) While there were some rumblings that Shumate might be forced to step down – Danny Morgan even said that he expected him to – little seems to have come of it yet. And there's been no word on any repercussions for the others. But an announcement may be coming soon.

Danny Morgan has spent a lot of time criticizing House Republicans for their tax troubles, but now has to deal with his own. Morgan is aware of this, and insiders say he may be looking to do something about it over the weekend because he wants to pull off a huge upset on Monday when the House votes on a new speaker. He may even be willing to skin his own and make deals with Republicans if it means he can become speaker.

OKPNS will continue to investigate.

Labels: OK House

Posted at 2/01/2008 11:35:00 PM |

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 1, 2008) – Rep. Chris Benge, chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee, announced today he is running for Speaker of the House.

“I’m honored some of my colleagues have encouraged me to run for this position, and am actively seeking votes from my fellow Republicans,” said Benge, R-Tulsa.

Benge has spent a decade in the House working in both in the minority and majority, and at the service of two speakers as the Appropriations and Budget Committee chairman.

This experience, and his intimate knowledge of the legislative budgeting process, is what several of his colleagues cited as reasons why they urged him to run, Benge said.

“Regardless of who is chosen by the caucus Monday, we will move forward with the agenda that was approved by all of our members and will be well-positioned to get the people’s work done this legislative session in a united way.”

Rep. Benge is a native Tulsan. He was born and raised in southwest Tulsa and currently resides in the community of Berryhill with his wife, Allison, and their two children, Garrett, 13, and Hayden, 11. He is an Oklahoma State University graduate with a degree in business

.

Related:

DEVELOPING: Chris Benge New Speaker? (1-31-08)

Labels: OK House, Rep. Chris Benge

Posted at 2/01/2008 08:03:00 PM |

More details to follow....

Labels: OK House

Posted at 1/31/2008 06:26:00 PM |

Sources tell the Oklahoma Political News Service that the "establishment" wing of the Republican House caucus - those that had once supported Lance Cargill - have coalesced around Rep. Gus Blackwell, the current Speaker Pro Tem.

Speculation is that former Speaker Cargill is not the only member with potential ethical skeletons in their closets, thus the belief that one of their own won't push for investigations or further reforms.

As for the members of the caucus that opposed the Cargill group, sources also indicate a “deal” between Rep. Dale Dewitt, Braman, who is being supported by agricultural and rural interests, and Rep. Susan Winchester, Chickasha. The terms of the “deal” are that the anti-Cargill element will advance one candidate against Blackwell, and that at this moment DeWitt and Winchester lead the pack. They’ll compete to see who makes the runoff against Blackwell.

Our sources say the “corporate welfare crowd” has jumped in to advance a Winchester candidacy but that DeWitt is slightly ahead at this time. Regardless, it appears that the loser of the DeWitt and Winchester contest will support the winner in their quest to lead the insurgents.

OKPNS will continue to investigate

Labels: OK House

Posted at 1/30/2008 09:58:00 AM |

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 31, 2007) – In the 2007 legislative session, several key pieces of legislation by Speaker Lance Cargill were passed into law, including measures to benefit working families, place greater fiscal restraints on government, and reduce inmate recidivism rates. Several of those new laws will take effect Thursday. “Our overarching goal this year was to pass laws that ease the burden on families, that decrease the size of the state government bureaucracy, and that apply more common sense to our state’s laws,” said Cargill, R-Harrah. “We did that through a variety of measures, some that I authored, and many more that were authored and introduced by other fiscally prudent lawmakers.” Laws authored by Cargill in 2007 that take effect Thursday include House Bill 2101, the Transformational Justice Act, which encourages state prisons to partner with faith-based, community and voluntary organizations to help inmates rejoin society and reduce the rate of repeat offenders. “In Oklahoma, we’re fortunate to have voluntary, faith-based groups that understand how to help inmates become constructive members of society,” Cargill said. “Many times, prison is a place where inmates learn to become better criminals. But faith has a transformative power in people’s lives, including those who need the most help. These faith-based groups provide a service that no government program can, by helping inmates find the connections and develop the life skills they need.” Also taking effect Thursday is House Bill 2103, which provides full-time enrolling freshmen the option of “locking in” one fixed rate of tuition at state colleges and universities through completion of their degree program. Beginning in the 2008-2009 school year, HB 2103 will require all public higher education institutions in Oklahoma to offer in-state students an option to participate in a guaranteed tuition rate plan. HB 2103 also includes key provisions to help keep the growing cost of textbooks down. The measure cracks down on practices such as "edition churn" or textbook "bundles" that hike the cost of materials. House Bill 2111 eliminates a number of smaller states agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs), 18 in all, that have been inactive for years or duplicate other state entities. House Bill 2104 requires the Oklahoma Historical Society to designate one day per week as a free admission day for all children age 17 or younger to state museums and historical sites. All four measures – House Bills 2101, 2103, 2111 and 2104 – passed the Legislature earlier this year with broad support from both sides of the aisle.

Labels: OK House, Spkr. Cargill

Posted at 11/01/2007 08:33:00 AM |

OKLAHOMA CITY (October 16, 2007) – Oklahoma House Republican caucus members Tuesday elected Lance Cargill as Speaker-designate for the 2009-10 session, giving Cargill a second term in the House’s top post. “I’m grateful to my fellow caucus members for their support, and I thank them for this vote of confidence as we move forward with important conservative reforms,” said Cargill, R-Harrah, who currently serves as Speaker. “I also want to say how much I respect Representative John Wright. He's a valuable member, and as a unified caucus we're poised for real progress this coming year. I see tremendous opportunities in the areas of state fiscal accountability, state government modernization, and performance pay for teachers.” Rep. John Wright, R-Broken Arrow, joined Cargill as a candidate in seeking the Speaker-designate position. "I congratulate Speaker Cargill on his election by the caucus to continue to serve the House of Representatives as Speaker, and I dedicate to working with him to continue to advance good policies for the state of Oklahoma," said Wright, who serves as chairman of the caucus. Cargill’s first term as Speaker will end after the upcoming 2008 session. The Harrah native has served in the House since 2000, representing large portions of eastern Oklahoma County. Provided Republicans retain their majority in the House in the 2008 election cycle, Tuesday’s caucus vote means that Cargill will serve as Speaker for another two years in 2009 and 2010. “Today’s vote is a victory for the entire caucus, and puts us in a strong, unified position,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell. “By maintaining our current Speaker, we’re giving the House Republican majority the ability to press for needed conservative reforms in the upcoming session and beyond.” House Majority Leader Greg Piatt, R-Ardmore, also praised Tuesday’s vote saying, “By designating Lance Cargill for a second term as Speaker, the House Republican majority is well-prepared for the upcoming legislative session, and we have real momentum.”

Labels: OK House, Spkr. Cargill

Posted at 10/16/2007 01:36:00 PM |

Labels: investigations, OK House, Rep. John Wright, Spkr. Cargill

Posted at 10/11/2007 08:29:00 AM |

Today, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m in Room 432A, 4th floor, Speaker Lance Cargill and the House Education Committee will hold the last of five hearings to study teacher performance pay, with the goal of developing a performance pay plan to be presented to the Legislature in February. The following is a list of the guest presenters for the hearing:

Steve Kimball, Researcher, Consortium for Policy Research in Education, Wisconsin Center for Education Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Jason Colbertson, Teacher Advancement Program (TAP); program director, South Carolina Department of Education

Matthew Springer, Research Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Education & Director of the National Center on Performance Incentives, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University

Shannon Richardson – Parent from Oklahoma City

Mary Boren – Parent from Norman

Parent from KIPP college preparatory school in Oklahoma City

Rep. Earl Sears; former principal (24 years), Central Middle School, Bartlesville

Related:

Stateline.org: States venture into teacher performance pay

Labels: OK House, Spkr. Cargill

Posted at 10/09/2007 08:25:00 AM |

Inside sources have confirmed to OKPNS, that various Republican state representatives have called on Speaker Lance Cargill to postpone the upcoming October 16th GOP Caucus election to determine the Speaker-designate for the 2009/2010 session. The embattled Cargill is seeking to become the State’s first Republican two-term Speaker of the House. The House Republicans will be meeting that weekend for an annual retreat to lay out legislative plans for the upcoming session, but the pressure fundraising controversy has put many House GOP members in a tight spot. Cargill has reportedly denied the members’ request to postpone the election date. Cargill remains the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Oklahoma Ethics Commission for mishandling campaign funds in past election cycles, and many members privately are hoping the Speaker election date can be put off until more is known about the emerging controversy. Insiders say the Speaker has been irate with members close to him who have suggested such a postponement. "The pressure is building, and with more bad press on the way, it appears that he's beginning to take out his frustrations on those who are seeking to help," says one familiar with the process.

Labels: investigations, OK House, Spkr. Cargill

Posted at 10/02/2007 10:13:00 AM |

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 27, 2007 For more information contact: David Blatt, Public Policy Director Community Action Project 918.382.3228 OKLAHOMA CITY – If the fiscal policies of reducing revenue continue, state government will lack the resources necessary to properly fund vital programs on which Oklahomans rely. According to members of the Alliance for Oklahoma’s Future, dramatic funding cuts in state services such as education, public safety, and state pension programs are inevitable if further reductions in state revenue occur this coming legislative session. “Because of recent decisions enacted by the Legislature, Oklahoma’s revenue growth has slowed dramatically and we are facing long term budget shortfalls,” said David Blatt, Alliance chairman. “Costs for the state’s existing programs are increasing faster than revenues and this situation will further put the squeeze on those priorities that matter most to Oklahomans.” The Alliance was called today to speak to members of the House Revenue and Tax Committee regarding changes to Oklahoma’s tax structure. The Committee chair posed the question, “Should Oklahoma cut taxes and if so, which ones?” “With a grossly underfunded education system, increasing poverty rates among Oklahoma’s children, crumbling roads and bridges, and a crowded prison system, we believe these are the wrong questions for the committee to be asking,” said Blatt. “First and foremost, we need to guarantee that we are meeting our goals as a state to achieve an adequate tax system that provides every Oklahoman opportunity, prosperity and security.” The Alliance proposed the following recommendations to the Committee: • Take a breather from further tax cuts; • Evaluate the current tax structure’s capacity to adequately fund the state’s goals; • Develop long-term budget forecasts; • Modernize Oklahoma’s tax system; • Maintain a balanced tax structure; and • Preserve and ensure equity in the state income tax. Further testimony by Elizabeth Hudgins, Senior Policy Analyst for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a national nonpartisan policy research organization, pointed out that Oklahoma’s taxes are already among the lowest in the nation. “Oklahomans pay among the least in the country in state and local taxes, ranking 43rd nationwide,” said Hudgins. “Policymakers should consider their state’s goals and priorities and ensure a tax system that works for all Oklahomans.”

Labels: Budget, CAP, OK House

Posted at 9/28/2007 09:16:00 AM |

The Oklahoma Political News Service has heard this same rumor - and the name that allegedly goes with that rumor. OKPNS will continue to investigate. From Sooner Thought: Word on the street is that a top “family values” Repub was caught in flagrante delicto in his office with an aide. Wheels turning? (Hmmm…that’s a tough one…trying to single out the “family values” Repub who would have the debauched nerve to cheat on his wife—at work???) Stay tuned.

Labels: OK House

Posted at 8/08/2007 02:15:00 PM |

Videographer John Angier II of Okie Campaigns, provides us video highlights of Speaker Cargill's press briefing held at the Capitol last Friday. Cargill praised the 2007 legislative session's accomplishments of passing a fiscally conservative budget, tax relief, and immigration reform.

Labels: OK House, Spkr. Cargill

Posted at 5/29/2007 08:49:00 AM |

The Heartland Voices, a community choir from the Midwest City-Del City area, performs in the rotunda during a special Saturday session of the House of Representatives. National Conference on State Legislatures Calls Session First in Nation Last week's Saturday session held by the Oklahoma House of Representatives has attracted national attention, and has been billed as likely the first of its kind. The National Conference of State Legislatures has noted on its blog, "The Thicket at State Legislatures," that the Saturday session is likely the first in the nation, and could serve as a model for similar events around the country. "We'll add this to our list of ideas for what legislators can do to improve public understanding of their work," writes NCSL program director of state services Jan Goehring. "At NCSL we're not aware of any other legislatures that have scheduled a Saturday session for the convenience of the public." Goehring noted that most Saturday session for other legislatures across the country come at the end when the clock is ticking and lawmakers haven't finished their work. By contrast, the Oklahoma House event was held as a way to reach out to working families and improve civic education among children. "We felt this event was a great opportunity for families to have the opportunity to come to the State Capitol to see the House in session outside regularly scheduled meeting times," said Speaker Cargill (R-Harrah). "Often families don't have the chance to come to the State Capitol during the work week." 98 year old Leora Henderson and her daughter Joan Woolley attend a Saturday session of the House of Representatives. The Saturday session on April 21 attracted a crowd of about 150 people - with the day highlighted by a singing choir, a brief power outage and a visit from a citizen only six months younger than the state. Lawmakers considered a dozen substantive pieces of legislation. The session continued despite a brief half-hour power outage at an OG&E substation that left the entire state Capitol without electricity. Lawmakers were left without microphones during the power outage, and votes were taken by a voice roll call. Speaker Cargill said the power outage was a great reminder of the state's Centennial - an example of how far the state had come since the horse-and-buggy era. "If lawmakers 100 years ago could conduct the legislative session without laptops, microphones and electronic voting machines we certainly can too," said Cargill. "It was a nice reminder of the progress we've made as a state."

Labels: OK House, Spkr. Cargill

Posted at 4/25/2007 03:16:00 PM |

Rep. Wallace Collins insults public education and his own literacy/intelligence at the same time! An Oklahoma City lawmaker Tuesday renewed calls for Rep. Wallace Collins to apologize for insulting remarks he made about public education on the House floor. "Collins claims he was just joking," said Rep. Trebor Worthen (R-Oklahoma City). "But I don't think professional educators find his remarks amusing. I certainly don't. If he is able to be so flippant about something like this, I think it calls into question his so-called commitment to public education." On April 12, while discussing a bill on the House floor, Collins (D-Norman)stated, "I'm only a public school graduate, so I'm not very literate, if you could talk to me in a manner I can understand." "This is an insult not only to public educators, but also to the students who go through Oklahoma's school system every day," said Worthen. "I don't think these kinds of comments on the House floor are becoming of a lawmaker. Instead of continuing to dismiss calls for an apology, Wallace Collins should do the right thing and say he's sorry."

Labels: OK House, Rep. Wallace Collins

Posted at 4/25/2007 10:15:00 AM |

The Oklahoma House of Representatives will hold a special Saturday floor session to make the House more accessible to the state's working families. Speaker Cargill said in a statement: Too often, Oklahoma's citizens don't have a chance to see the work of their lawmakers. Those with regular jobs have a difficult time accessing the Capitol during the work week. So the House will give citizens a special opportunity to watch the House in session outside of regularly scheduled meeting times. Speaker Cargill hopes working parents will attend the April 21 session with their children as one way of boosting civic literacy in the state. After the conclusion of session, the public is invited to attend a cookies-and-punch reception on the fourth floor of the State Capitol underneath the rotunda. Many representatives will also hold open office hours for their constituents in the afternoon following the Saturday session, to allow working citizens the opportunity to present their concerns and issues directly to lawmakers.

Labels: OK House, Spkr. Cargill

Posted at 4/19/2007 10:07:00 AM |

The measure mirrors a House bill backed by Republican leaders Senate legislation to encourage charter schools in Oklahoma is headed for a vote of the full state House of Representatives after the measure garnered approval from a House committee Monday. Speaker Lance Cargill praised passage of the legislation, part of the House Republican "Year of Ideas" legislative agenda. "Charter schools encourage new and better approaches to educating our children," said Cargill (R-Harrah). "These innovative schools should be a major component of education reform in Oklahoma, which must also include meaningful testing requirements for students and the highest standards from our educators." Senate Bill 661 closely mirrors House Bill 1589, authored by House Education committee chair Tad Jones (R-Claremore). That bill currently awaits a floor vote in the Senate, and has attracted bipartisan support by lawmakers like Shumate. "I hear from my constituents all the time that they want more and better options for their children's education," said Shumate. "I've seen the tremendous positive impact that charter schools are having on children's lives in my own community. We should be encouraging the formation of these schools, not discouraging them."

Labels: OK House, Rep. Shumate, Rep. Tad Jones, Spkr. Cargill

Posted at 4/17/2007 01:13:00 PM |

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) House Speaker Lance Cargill sounded off today about the state budget impasse. He is urging Governor Brad Henry to share his budget ideas with lawmakers. He criticized Henry's refusal to sign appropriations bills that he said mirror the governor's own executive budget. Henry has threatened to veto those appropriations bills. He says legislative budget writers have put together a spending plan without properly consulting the governor's office or many state lawmakers.

Labels: Brad Henry, OK House, Spkr. Cargill

Posted at 4/13/2007 09:58:00 AM |

By Tim Talley Associated Press Writer OKLAHOMA CITY — As the Oklahoma Legislature’s only physician, Rep. Doug Cox often is sought out for counsel and advice on matters of public health. But Cox’s colleagues in the state House have largely ignored him and other medical professionals as they debate proposed anti-abortion regulations that, among other things, would bar state hospitals, clinics and workers from performing abortions at state expense unless the mother’s life is threatened. Cox and other doctors believe the measure, overwhelmingly passed by the House and awaiting final passage in the Senate, will drive a wedge between them and their pregnant patients and cut off treatment for women with troubled pregnancies who are uninsured or underinsured. “I consider myself to be pro-life. But I want to be pro-life with compassion,” said Cox, R-Grove, an emergency medicine physician at Integris Grove General Hospital who said he has delivered hundreds of babies and never performed an abortion. Read more...

Labels: OK House, Rep. Doug Cox

Posted at 4/09/2007 09:21:00 AM |