While officials like Shelton, Congresswoman Mary Fallin, Mayor Mick Cornett and County Commissioner Ray Vaughan are aggressively publicly opposing the casino, at least two officials are conspicuous in their silence: Gov. Brad Henry and County Commissioner Willa Johnson.

The controversy surrounding the proposed Shawnee Tribe's casino in northeast Oklahoma City is heating up.

It's rumored that there will be a Tuesday night town meeting of citizens whose homes and businesses in the area surrounding Remington Park will be harmed if construction of the casino is allowed to move forward. Remington Park, who most observers believe will go bankrupt if the casino begins operation, sits in State Rep. Mike Shelton's house district 97. Shelton is publicly calling on citizens to voice their concerns to the BIA before the Friday deadline.

While officials like Shelton, Congresswoman Mary Fallin, Mayor Mick Cornett and County Commissioner Ray Vaughan are aggressively publicly opposing the casino, at least two officials are conspicuous in their silence: Gov. Brad Henry and County Commissioner Willa Johnson.

Henry is rumored to be meeting with agricultural interests regarding the track this week. When the casino becomes operational, the subsequent bankruptcy of Remington Park will kill the horse breeding industry in Oklahoma according to a report filed by News9's Rusty Surrette Friday. The race track says 25,000 Oklahoma jobs will be lost.

The BIA's 30-day comment period closes Friday, and Henry's painfully slow reaction to take a position, given his chummy relationship with a key Shawnee Tribe official, has given rise to speculation the governor will either sit this issue out or intervene on behalf of the tribe, which will enrage Oklahomans and elected officials from both parties. If Henry were to go on record in opposition to the casino, it would carry great weight with the BIA, and insiders tell OKPNS that business leaders and other officials are steamed at the governor, who always goes to great lengths to avoid taking positions on tough issues.

Developing.......

Related:

The Casino and Mr. Chicken

Labels: Brad Henry, Casino, Mick Cornett, Rep. Fallin, Willa Johnson

Posted at 6/01/2008 12:07:00 PM |

Sources tell OKPNS that Congresswoman Mary Fallin, R-Oklahoma City, is making aggressive moves in what appears to be the beginnings of a campaign for governor in 2010.

The former three- term Lt. Gov and two-term state legislator was elected to the 5th District seat in 2006 and has announced she will run for re-election for another congressional term this year. She is expected to easily win re-election. Observers say Congresswoman Fallin is already putting together a team designed for but one thing: a run for governor.

Fallin's move comes as talk of Congressman Tom Cole's name as a potential gubernatorial candidate is being floated. Cole is currently head of the National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC), but is being roundly criticized, some say unfairly, for recent GOP loses in some key special elections. If the GOP suffers significant losses in the fall elections, Cole will receive blame, unfairly or not, and some observers can see the Congressman coming back to Oklahoma to run to succeed two-term Gov. Brad Henry. Fallin's moves could be designed to head off a Cole challenge.

Developing…….

Labels: Rep. Fallin

Posted at 5/27/2008 02:10:00 PM |

While Oklahoma City's Mayor and, according to reports, all of the state's congressional delegation, are aggressively opposing a proposal by promoters to put a tribal casino in Oklahoma City fronted by a tribe located 200 miles away, Oklahoma's timid governor is attempting to run and hide on the issue.

This time, Gov. Brad Henry, is attempting to avoid involvement on the casino project that most observers say would put Oklahoma City's Remington Park into bankruptcy.

The Shawnee tribe, which is located in Miami, Oklahoma, has been “reservation shopping” and has selected a parcel of land less than two miles from Oklahoma City's "Adventure district," putting many businesses at a distinct disadvantage.

While Mayor Mick Cornett, Congresswoman Mary Fallin and other members of the congressional delegation have courageously and publicly opposed this outrageous distortion of tribal gaming statutes, the faint-hearted Henry, who has privately voiced his opposition to the casino, is publicly ducking for cover, primarily since he is buddies with the Shawnee Tribe's economic development chairman, Greg Pitcher.

One insider sums up the governor's lack of backbone this way: “He’s gutless. He knows the proposal is wrong, but he’s spent six years avoiding this kind of controversy, so why would we think he’d engaged now?”

Henry’s name is being drawn in the controversy because the Bureau of Indian Affairs is seeking public comment on the proposal until June 9th. Most believe the governor’s opposition would carry considerable weight with the BIA.

Observers tell OKPNS the whole deal is very suspect, and that today’s story by Oklahoman reporter Tony Thornton just scratches the surface of the proposed stinky deal.

Developing….

NewsOK.com Video: Greg Pitcher, chairman of the Shawnee Tribe's economic development arm

Labels: Brad Henry, Casino, Mick Cornett, Rep. Fallin

Posted at 5/25/2008 08:59:00 AM |

Rep. Mary Fallin has a post today on The Hill Newspaper's Congressional Blog reminding us that one of America's most solemn holidays is almost upon us. Fallin writes:

"As our Memorial Day weekend approaches, I believe it is important to pay tribute and honor to the men and women in the military who have served our country...It will be our great honor to present medals to our deserving military veterans in a special ceremony May 23rd at the Oklahoma History Center."

Memorial Day has always had special meaning for me. I was born on May 30th, the original day that was set aside for the holiday. As a child, my parents always reminded me on my birthday that I was enjoying my presents and freedom that day, because someone else gave their life in defense of this country. Rep. Fallin reminds us what Memorial Day is really all about.

Labels: Rep. Fallin

Posted at 4/25/2008 09:43:00 AM |

Probably not the best metaphor Congressman Cole could have used to describe how difficult it will be to defeat Congresswoman Fallin:

Oklahoma Republican Rep. Tom Cole, chair of the NRCC, shows no concern about the Democrats' fundraising lead. "Most of our freshmen, frankly, are not in vulnerable seats," he says. "They won in an awful year. You couldn't beat Mary Fallin [an Oklahoma Republican] with a baseball bat." Read more...

Labels: Cong. Tom Cole, Congress, Decision '08, Rep. Fallin

Posted at 3/07/2008 02:01:00 PM |

Congresswoman Mary Fallin presented last week a $3 million check to representatives of the Wave Technology group.

Shawnee News Star videos:

Labels: Rep. Fallin

Posted at 2/25/2008 09:57:00 AM |

Congresswoman Mary Fallin & State Senate Co-President Glenn Coffee at the Bricktown Brewery rallying the troops for Sen. Inhofe's re-election bid.

Labels: Decision '08, Rep. Fallin, Sen. Glenn Coffee, Sen. Inhofe

Posted at 2/06/2008 08:17:00 AM |

After President Bush’s State of the Union Address, Mary Fallin (R5-OK) details how she supports each of the reforms the President calls for.

Labels: Rep. Fallin

Posted at 1/29/2008 01:17:00 PM |

Tecumseh Countywide News & Shawnee Sun: The Energy Advocates, a not-for-profit organization based in Oklahoma, has announced it will provide student scholarships in the name of Oklahoma Fifth District Congresswoman Mary Fallin. Fallin responded to the announcement, saying “I am deeply grateful this fine organization has chosen to honor me in such a way.” “The Energy Advocates membership is committed to raising public awareness of all aspects of the energy industry.” Read more...

Labels: Rep. Fallin

Posted at 9/28/2007 03:55:00 PM |

Related Oklahoma Women's Network Blog: "Oklahoma Women's Groups meet with Rep Mary Fallin"

Labels: Iraq War, Rep. Fallin

Posted at 8/22/2007 01:27:00 PM |

Mickey Hepner is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Central Oklahoma. He regularly writes and comments on policy issues. Mickey's Musings: A few weeks ago U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin wrote a guest column for The Oklahoman criticizing House Democrats for their budget proposal (I mentioned this here). At the time I also drafted this letter to the editor and hoped The Oklahoman would publish it. Since it has been 2 1/2 weeks since submission, I think it is safe to assume that it won't be published. So, I thought I would post it here: Read more...

Labels: Congress, Rep. Fallin

Posted at 8/14/2007 02:06:00 PM |

From The Hill: When Rep. Mary Fallin (R-Okla.) was in her 20s, she was an extra in a movie starring Molly Ringwald. Fallin, 52, doesn’t remember the film’s title, but was also an extra in several other independent, “walk-by-type” movies and did some modeling, too. The stylish blonde, with bangs and blue eyes, is still a knockout. “I’m 5-foot-6, but I’m not going to tell you my weight,” Fallin said, giggling. Self-consciousness aside, Fallin is in great shape. She lifts weights, jogs on her treadmill and goes to the gym when she can. Read more...

Labels: Rep. Fallin

Posted at 7/26/2007 06:20:00 PM |

By Kelly McCormack If you could fire one lawmaker, who would it be? “I can’t think of anybody I’d fire. I have a great respect for [all lawmakers] even though I may differ. They are representing their districts.” If you could be one other lawmaker, who would you want to be? “[There are] many lawmakers that I have a great [amount of respect for]. They each have strengths in [their] various individual personalities. I can’t name one I’d want to be exactly like.” What five people, dead or alive, would you want to go to dinner with? “[Secretary of State] Condoleezza Rice. I really admire her. She’s smart, capable, savvy and has a good heart. Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi (D-Calif.). Although we come from different political parties, I respect her elevation as a woman to Speaker of the House. [House Minority Leader John] Boehner (R-Ohio). He’s got knowledge to share. Margaret Thatcher — one of the early women to work in a man’s world. First lady Laura Bush.” What’s your middle name? “Oh, don’t ask me that! My daddy’s name: Newt. Whenever I see Newt Gingrich I tell him that we have something in common.” Have you ever had a near-death experience? “No, not to the point of being injured. I came close in car wrecks. Last year, [I was on a flight that] almost had a midair collision [with another plane]. I haven’t had any injuries.” What do you do to stay in shape? “I like to walk, work out and lift weights. It’s very important for one’s health and alertness, [especially] working the congressional hours that we do. My mom became ill at 73 and was bedridden. [It’s important] to enjoy life in the golden years.”

Labels: Congress, Rep. Fallin

Posted at 4/26/2007 09:17:00 AM |

Tecumseh Countywide News & Sun: Fifth District U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin called the budget which the House of Representatives passed this week “the largest tax increase in American history.” The budget allows the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts to expire while introducing $392.5 billion in new spending. It also fails to address the looming entitlement spending crisis for social security and Medicare. “This Congress has a duty to allow American families to thrive,” Fallin said. “The budget we voted on today, brought forward by the liberal, tax and spend leaders of this Congress, does just the opposite. You cannot say you support our families while draining their bank accounts.” Read more...

Labels: Congress, Rep. Fallin

Posted at 4/06/2007 02:56:00 PM |

Clever headline, but how long has Fallin been in Congress - two months? Mickey Hepner The Edmond Sun EDMOND — A few months ago, Mary Fallin seemed to be the ideal congressional candidate as she was both likable and experienced. She had served for four years in the state Legislature, another 12 years as lieutenant governor, and through all that she remained likable. Her popularity even prompted this observer to claim that Fallin was a tougher opponent for Democrats than her predecessor Ernest Istook. As appealing as “candidate Fallin” was in November, it is apparent that Congresswoman Fallin has been a disappointment. Read more...

Labels: Congress, Rep. Fallin

Posted at 3/26/2007 09:58:00 AM |

Rep. Mary Fallin wrote on the Hill Newspaper's Blog that the non-binding resolution passed by Congress Friday was the "product of a political game." Fallin warned her fellow legislators that the "situation before us is deadly serious". "If we pass this resolution, we will send precisely the wrong message at precisely the wrong time to one of the most dangerous and sinister enemies we have ever faced." She concluded the post saying: "Our soldiers deserve real answers to the problems they face in Iraq, not political posturing which risks emboldening their enemies. I sincerely hope that the House of Representatives rejects this resolution and begins working in a bipartisan fashion towards a plan for victory in Iraq." UPDATE: Passing of Iraq Resolution Lacked Substantive Debate "I’d rather have seen the resolution fail. But I was pleased that there were so few Republicans that supported it. I just wish we had the opportunity on the floor to actually debate these issues. A few minutes from each person to speak isn’t enough. As a freshman, I’m very disappointed. I was elected to come to Congress to voice the concerns of my Oklahoman constituents. But we can’t speak freely because of constant suspension of House rules and closed debates."

Labels: Congress, Iraq War, Rep. Fallin

Posted at 2/19/2007 08:08:00 AM |

Pictured with Congresswoman Mary Fallin are Lori Burris from Mid-Del, Linda Hampton, Pleasant Grove, Greg and Diane Johnson, Mustang, and Oklahoma Education Association President, Roy Bishop.

Labels: Rep. Fallin

Posted at 2/13/2007 09:52:00 AM |