Abba’s Dedication to His Work, and the Gift of a Fine Suit
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One of the proudest moments of my father’s life was the expansion of the 100-Bed Maternity and Gynecology Hospital to the 500-Bed Maternity and Gynecology Lal-Ded Hospital in Srinagar.
My father – whom I always called “Abba” – had poured his heart and soul into that project, the foundation stone of which was laid in 1979. My father and his wonderful colleagues burned midnight oil to enable the expansion, which greatly improved women’s health care at the time.
His joy knew no bounds when my maternal grandfather gifted him a pinstripe suit fabric at the inaugural ceremony of Lal-Ded Hospital in 1980.
Institutions are built by those who are invested in their people and passionate about nation building. They are communal property, and there comes a time when the community needs to refurbish them.
Editor’s Note: Srinagar is the largest city in the region of Kashmir now under the jurisdiction of India. Dr. Nyla Ali Khan’s article appear regularly in publications or online news organizations around the world, including in The City Sentinel and at CapitolBeatOK.com, a web-based news service working in Oklahoma City. This essay is adapted from a recent post on her Facebook page.
Abba’s Dedication to His Work, and the Gift of a Fine Suit Click on the headline to read the full article at Site Articles
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(This is the Third segment in a series of reports from The City Sentinel newspaper of Oklahoma City, in print and online.)
In the midst of a pandemic which most Americans will survive but which is ravaging the nation with daily bad news, financial planner Ellyn Hefner of Oklahoma City continues to work on garnering help for special needs children and the families who care for them.
Many people do not realize the extent of tax and other benefits already in place for such families. Some costs for special schooling are already deductible, including lodging, meals, transportation, incidental educational costs provided by the institution, costs of supervision, care, treatment, and training.
Other possible benefits, The City Sentinel learned in discussions with Hefner and government officials, include private tutoring by a specially trained teacher, therapeutic and behavioral services, special education for dyslexic children -- provided the program enables children to deal with disability caused by medical condition.
Additional help can include assistance with Medical Conferences and Seminars, both transportation and the conference itself. Medical Travel and Transportation can qualify for deductions in 2020’s tax returns (.17 per mile – and 20 cents per mile for 2019). Lodging costs (but not meals) can be deducted up to $50 per day are deductible for the attendee and one additional person if an overnight stay is necessary
For those ineligible for medical expense deductions, Hefner can explain access to the FSA (Flexible Spending Account) Health Care plan. The maximum pre-tax contribution is $2,750 for 2020 ($2,700 for 2019).
For those wanting to nurture a child in need, there are also credits for Special Needs Adoption Expenses, as much as $14,300 for a child with special needs in 2020 ($14,080 for 2019). For a “special needs” adoption, the credit is claimed the year an adoption is finalized.
Prospects for additional advances in the Oklahoma state Legislature during this troubled year now seem daunting. However, existing law outlined in our February news story (i.e. the article the OK-STABLE provisions LINK ) could emerge over time as a path forward.
The program is based on an effective model from Ohio, Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE).
A knowledgeable state policy “insider” told The City Sentinel in a recent exchange: “I have serious doubts the Legislature will pass anything other than a budget this session. In all likelihood, we’re looking at trying again next session in a best case scenario.”
Detailed information on the proposed tax deduction legislation is available throug this link to information from the Oklahoma state Treasurer’s office (https://ift.tt/3ccfzyi). In brief, contributions to an Oklahoma STABLE account (a fine existing program that can be improved) would be deductible from Oklahoma taxable income up to $10,000 per year for single filers and up to $20,000 per year for those filing jointly. The Oklahoma Tax Commission estimates the annual fiscal impact would be $121,000 per year.)
Concerning proposed improvements to the STABLE program Oklahoma Treasurer Randy McDaniel reflects: “I strongly support legislation to improve the Oklahoma STABLE Program, which is specifically designed to help people with disabilities. Providing a state income tax deduction will encourage family and friends to contribute and save for their future needs.”
A loving mother with three children of her own, including a son needing special care, Hefner continues to seek a more secure and stable future for people who love and care for children, hoping to leave them in a better place than before the present.
A summary of Hefner’s daily labor, provided to this writer upon request, follows:
“Special Care Planning is a process. Working as a Special Care Planner, Ellyn Novak Hefner’s process is to encourage communication with the family’s network; providing information, education and resources, and offering holistic solutions unique to each individual’s situation. This includes outreach to families and professionals to understand ABLE, Achieving a Better Life Experience. Oklahoma’s ABLE account is OKSTABLE. As a Special Care Planner, she works with estate planners who create Special Needs Trusts as part of the process.”
Call Ellyn Hefner 405-640-9408 about Special Care Plans, or send Ellyn an email at [email protected].
When you talk to her, tell her you read about her work in The City Sentinel or CapitolBeatOK!
NOTE: Patrick B. McGuigan is a state-certified teacher in ten subject areas, and a member of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame.
Ellyn Hefner works with allies for a STABLE future Click on the headline to read the full article at Site Articles
Special Care Planning is a process.
Working as a Special Care Planner, Ellyn Novak Hefner’s process is to encourage communication with the family’s network; providing information, education and resources, and offering holistic solutions unique to each individual’s situation. This includes outreach to families and professionals to understand ABLE, Achieving a Better Life Experience. Oklahoma’s ABLE account is OKSTABLE.
A Special Needs Trusts is a part of the process.
Jennifer Wright is an Estate Planner at Ball Morse Lowe in Oklahoma City. She works with families who have a child with special needs in creating a Special Needs Trust. Ellyn asked Jennifer to answer a few questions that families have about special needs trusts.
What is a special needs trust?
A special needs trust or “supplemental needs trust” (SNT) is a trust established for someone who is receiving or who at some point may receive Medicaid or other state/federal benefits.
And, what are some reasons to create a special needs trust?
The SNT provides for the individual’s supplemental needs without disqualifying the person from benefits.
What types of government benefits are there for disability?
• Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI): These benefits may be available to disabled or blind persons who have had earnings and made contributions to Social Security.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): This program provides benefits for aged, blind and disabled persons with limited resources and income.
• Medicare: In addition to providing health coverage for people over age 65, Medicare is available to disabled persons under age 65 who have been receiving SSDI checks for 24 months.
• Medicaid: Medicaid is a public assistance program that provides health coverage for individuals with limited resources and income.
How can a trust protect these benefits?
Eligibility for Medicaid and SSI is based on a person’s resources and income. Resources and income above the allowable limits would make a person ineligible for these benefits. Assets in a Special Needs Trust would not count as the person’s resources for purposes of qualifying for Medicaid and SSI.
What is a third party Special Needs Trust?
A parent or other third party establishes a trust for the benefit of the person receiving benefits with the third party’s assets. This trust can be funded now or through an estate plan upon death of the third party. Because this trust is not funded with the disabled person’s assets, there is no requirement for a Medicaid pay-back provision in this trust.
What are alternate methods for funding a third party trust?
A third party Special Needs Trust can be funded with life insurance, retirement assets or any other assets designated by the third party establishing the trust.
What is the process to set up a trust?
An attorney experienced in special needs planning will determine which type special needs trust is necessary and provide guidance on important decisions like selecting a trustee and whether to include provisions for a care manager and trust advisor.
A Special Needs Trust should be part of a comprehensive estate plan, which would also include planning for other beneficiaries through a revocable trust or will, durable powers of attorney (financial and medical), living will and other important documents. Implementing a comprehensive estate plan will ensure loved ones will be cared for and will provide peace of mind.
Special Needs trusts work alongside OKSTABLE accounts.
Questions? Call Ellyn Hefner 405-640-9408 about Special Care Plans or Jennifer Wright about Special Needs Trusts at 405 701-6968.
Note: This is adapted from a recent story in the print edition of The City Sentinel newspaper.
www.City-Sentinel.com
Special Needs Trusts – An Overview Click on the headline to read the full article at Site Articles
Dear Students (and readers and friends):
For as long as I can remember, I have loved to write, and to read.
And, since 1976 I have been – off and on, between or in the midst of other professional incarnations – a teacher.
Here is a message for spring, for Easter, to my students across the years:
I remember seeing you in the hallway, or at lunch, or on the playground (or on campus).
Your friendly smile always made me think of spring.
And now it is springtime, so I am thinking of you – when the birds chirp, or I hear a car driving in the distance, or the chatter of squirrels talking things over up in the trees.
In my backyard, I stand quietly in the sun, or in the rain, in the day or in the night.
I listen, and I hear you. And in my mind, I see you. And from my heart, I touch your heart.
When I was a young Daddy (back in 1981), Oklahoma writer Jimmy Webb wrote these words, and I share them now with you:
“I've had time to write a book, About the way you act and look
But I haven't got a paragraph, Words are always getting in my way
Anyway, I love you. That's all I have to tell you. That's all I've got to say.”
Editor’s Note: This message first appeared on McGuigan’s personal Facebook page. He is the founder of CapitolBeatOK.com, an online news service, publisher of The City Sentinel newspaper, the author of three books and editor of seven, and a member of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame. He is a certified teacher in 10 subject areas.
An Easter Message from “Mr. McGuigan” Click on the headline to read the full article at Site Articles
With approval of a Rainy Day Fund depletion, the Legislature on Monday stabilized the current year budget to prevent cuts to agencies. Legislators also affirmed Gov. Kevin Stitt’s expanded health emergency declaration, which gives the governor additional authority to respond to COVID-19.
Monday’s proceedings operated under new public health protocols, such as restricting access to the Capitol and allowing no more than 10 people in any room at any time. Sixteen House members voted remotely from their districts under a House rule allowing remote voting during the pandemic.
The House did its work in less than two and a half hours by using protocols to expedite floor proceedings for public health purposes. During that time, it sent five measures to the Senate, which approved them.
“The Legislature acted swiftly and decisively to address these needs,” said House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka. “The Legislature made sure there will be no budget cuts to state agencies this fiscal year during the pandemic response while giving the governor the ability to step up the state’s response. We had business to take care of for the good of the state, and we did not hesitate to complete it. We are keeping government functional.”
McCall added: “The spirit of collaborative productivity this Legislature has embraced made this possible, and I extend my thanks to all the members in both parties in both chambers for their decisive actions today for the State of Oklahoma.”
Budget stabilization
The budget stabilization bills withdraw money from state reserve accounts to address the revenue failure in the current fiscal year. Economic slowdowns caused by COVID-19 and low oil prices caused a $416 million revenue shortfall that will be filled with reserve funds under the legislation passed Monday. Agencies would not experience cuts under these measures.
The budget stabilization bills, which all passed the House unanimously, include:
• Senate Bill 1053 sends $201.6 million from the Rainy Day Fund to the Revenue Stabilization Fund.
• Senate Bill 199 sends $302.3 million from the Rainy Day Fund to the General Revenue Fund.
• Senate Bill 617 authorizes the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to withdraw up to half of the balance of the Revenue Stabilization Fund to avoid cuts to agencies and the 1017 fund for education in a revenue failure in the current fiscal year.
In total, the Legislature approved withdrawing $503.9 million from the Rainy Day Fund. Any excess funds will remain in the Revenue Stabilization Fund for use by the Legislature and executive branch budget officials in addressing potential future revenue failures, as authorized in SB 617.
After the withdrawals, the Rainy Day Fund balance is $302.3 million and the Revenue Stabilization Fund balance is $349.7 million.
Health emergency affirmation
House Concurrent Resolution 1001x affirms the governor’s declaration of an expanded statewide health emergency. Under state law, the Legislature’s affirmation of the declaration lasts for 30 days. It passed the House, 99-1, and Senate and, as a concurrent resolution, is not required to go to the governor. It is now in effect.
The governor’s declaration allows the executive branch to centralize state and county health department response efforts, let first responders to know if they are responding to a location with a COVID-19 patient, and the governor to waive certain laws and rules for the purpose of the pandemic response.
“There always has to be a check to power, even with people we trust,” said House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, who presented the measure. “This measure allows the governor very broad powers deemed necessary for an effective response. We will be watchful, however, to ensure that the governor acts in the best interest of all Oklahomans, which we are confident he will.”
The Legislature adjourned special session to the call of the chair, which would allow it to return to special session to revoke or change the powers granted to the governor within the next 30 days, if needed.
The governor was required by law to call a special session of the Legislature for the purpose of affirming or denying the expanded health emergency declaration.
Next steps
The Legislature had not been in the Capitol since March 17, when a staffer tested positive. Since then, the Capitol was deep cleaned as legislators worked from their districts and staff worked remotely.
The Legislature will stand in recess again and continue to work from districts until taking up next year’s state budget.
“Our next order of business is a budget for next year, and an agreement on that budget is approaching,” McCall said. “Once next year’s budget is done, a limited number of policy bills will come next.”
McCall said Monday’s action showed the necessity of the Legislature remaining in session at this time.
“The Legislature will remain ready to respond in a responsible manner, as we did today, to future needs as they may arise,” McCall said. “We have been able to remain productive in our districts without convening at the Capitol except when necessary to act, as we did today. This will remain our approach going forward.”
Oklahoma House approves emergency powers for governor. Rainy Day Fund depletion passed Click on the headline to read the full article at Site Articles
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Legislature met Monday (April 6), to approve measures depleting the state's "Rainy Day" Fund and other reserves, in an effort to "stabilize the state budget and affirm the governor’s health emergency declaration in response to COVID-19," a Senate press release said.
The Oklahoma Senate met in special session and regular session and employed social distancing measures to protect the health and safety of the senators and few essential staff working at the Capitol. Some of those measures included checking temperatures of those entering the Capitol, limiting the number of senators on the Senate floor to 10 at a time, and wearing cloth masks sewn by a Senate staffer.
The current state budget experienced a revenue failure of approximately $416 million due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and a steep drop in the price of oil and natural gas.
In regular session, the Oklahoma Senate met and advanced measures to allow the use of state savings. The steps taken will prevent automatic budget cuts of approximately 6 percent in state government spending because of the revenue failure.
“The state has total savings of approximately $1 billion for times just like this. It is appropriate for the Legislature to use these savings to prevent budget cuts to all state agencies, including those working hard right now to protect the health and safety of Oklahomans during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City.
“Using savings and reserve funding will ensure agency budgets are kept whole and that critical services continue to be delivered to Oklahomans. I appreciate the work of our Senate appropriations chairman and the Senate budget staff on these measures to shore up the current state budget.”
The budget stabilization bills are:
• Senate Bill 1053 (https://ift.tt/2VaAzhW), which sends $201.6 million from the Rainy Day Fund to the Revenue Stabilization Fund.
• Senaate Bill 199 (https://ift.tt/2UQXrDW) which sends $302.3 million from the Rainy Day Fund to the General Revenue Fund.
• Senate Bill 617 (https://ift.tt/2JOieBQ) which authorizes the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to withdraw up to half of the balance of the Revenue Stabilization Fund to avoid cuts to agencies and the 1017 fund for education in a revenue failure in the current fiscal year.
In total, the Legislature approved withdrawing $503.9 million from the Rainy Day Fund. Any excess funds will remain in the Revenue Stabilization Fund for use by the Legislature and executive branch budget officials in addressing potential future revenue failures. After the withdrawals, the Rainy Day Fund balance is $302.3 million and the Revenue Stabilization Fund balance is $349.7 million.
In special session earlier Monday, the Senate met and affirmed the Governor’s health emergency declaration in accordance with the provisions of 63 O.S. § 6101 - 6900 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The declaration, which gives the Governor additional authority to coordinate the overall state response to COVID-19, also included a call for a special session of the Legislature to approve or reject the governor’s declaration.
The two measures approved by the Senate in special session were:
• House Concurrent Resolution 1001x (https://ift.tt/2JOp4aF) which affirmed the governor’s health emergency declaration; and
• House Concurrent Resolutiona 1002x which allowed the special session to remain recessed for longer than three days.
“The coronavirus poses a significant threat to the health and safety of Oklahomans and it must be taken seriously. We must do all we can to protect life at every stage. That’s why the Senate voted to approve the governor’s health emergency declaration to assist in the coordination of the response to this threat on a statewide level,” Treat said.
The resolution approving the health emergency declaration included a provision that the Senate pro tem and House speaker would be given prior notice by the governor before any specific statutes or regulations were suspended under the health emergency declaration.
“There was some concern among lawmakers, the media and the public about prior notification of when rules and regulations would be waived as a part of the COVID-19 response. By adding a provision that the Senate and House leaders be notified before that occurred, we are able to maintain appropriate checks and balances while maintaining flexibility for the governor to direct and enact the state response to this health care crisis,” Treat said.
The special session resolutions took effect immediately.
The special session adjourned to the call of the chair. The Legislature, if necessary, could reconvene within the next 30 days to address any other issues related to the health emergency declaration.
Additionally, during regular session the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 17 (https://ift.tt/2JIMbn1)
and a motion from Treat and Senator Kay Floyd to suspend certain rules in order to allow the chamber more flexibility to conduct business for the remainder of the session.
“Traditionally, the rules of the Senate have required members to be physically present for committee meetings and Senate floor proceedings. The ongoing health emergency, where health officials recommend limited in-person interactions, presents challenges for the Senate to conduct official business. That’s why the Senate waived certain rules so that for the remainder of this session and the special session, we can have flexibility to conduct official business, while still following health recommendations for social distancing,” Treat said.
Treat said the Senate granted senators permission to participate remotely or virtually in committee meetings and Senate floor proceedings. He said final implementation plans would be made public, and that the Senate would ensure the public could follow those proceedings online.
Oklahoma Senate acts to deplete Rainy Day Fund, approves governor’s emergency powers Click on the headline to read the full article at Site Articles
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Honoring My Father: Finding Meaning and Purpose in Adversity Click on the headline to read the full article at Site Articles
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Gross Receipts to the Treasury in March show the calm before the storm. As has been the case for several months, they indicate slight overall growth, but with slowing sales tax collections and reduced oil and gas production, State Treasurer Randy McDaniel announced last Friday (April 3) .
“This month marks the end of almost three years of economic growth,” said Treasurer McDaniel. “I expect to see a much different picture emerge in the coming months.”
[Editor’s Note: The state Legislature will convene today (Monday, April 6) and is expected to approve Governor Ken Stitt’s actions and plans for addressing the virus pandemic. Legislators and the governor are also discussing a projected $416 million shortfall in state revenues flowing from the reduction in state economic activity that began in mid-March. The state’s Rainy Day Fund gained $200 million last year, and federal governor “stimulus” funds approved in recent weeks are expected to be utilized to support state government spending.]
Total March receipts are $1.09 billion, up by $6.4 million, or 0.6 percent, from March of last year.
As a lagging economic indicator, Gross Receipts to the Treasury provide a look back at recent performance of the state’s economy. The numbers indicate the state’s economy remained relatively strong for almost three years, but had recently started to show signs of weakening. Then, the coronavirus pandemic hit Oklahoma.
McDaniel listed several data points showing a significant decline is underway:
• First-time unemployment claims hit almost 45,000 the last week of March, the highest number ever reported in Oklahoma.
• Oil prices fell from some $47 per barrel at the start of the month to less than $20 before month’s end. Already suppressed drilling dropped from 50 wells in April to 39 in March.
• The Dow Jones Industrial average dropped by 23 percent during the first quarter of the year, its worst quarterly performance in history.
• The Oklahoma Business Condition Index dropped to 45.7 in March, down from 51.5 in February.
Numbers below 50 indicate expected economic contraction in the next three to six months.
“The economic indicators are disconcerting, but working together we will get through this downturn,” McDaniel said. “My thoughts and prayers are for the health and safety of my fellow Oklahomans. I am thankful for the first responders, health care providers and many others that are stepping up to make a difference.”
March collections
March gross collections total $1.09 billion, up by $6.4 million, or 0.6 percent, from March 2019.
Gross income tax collections, a combination of individual and corporate income taxes, generated $382.6 million, an increase of $27.8 million, or 7.8 percent, from the previous March.
Individual income tax collections for the month are $328.4 million, up by $851,048, or 0.3 percent, from the prior year. Corporate collections are $54.2 million, an increase of $27 million, or 98.8 percent. Large variances in monthly corporate collection are common.
Combined sales and use tax collections, including remittances on behalf of cities and counties, total $422 million in March. That is $19.2 million, or 4.4 percent, less than March 2019.
Sales tax collections in March total $368.2 million, a drop of $14.8 million, or 3.9 percent from the same month of the prior year. Use tax receipts, collected on out-of-state purchases including online sales, generated $53.8 million, a decrease of $4.4 million, or 7.6 percent, over the year.
Gross production taxes on oil and natural gas total $78.9 million in March, a decrease of $17.3 million, or 18 percent, from last March. Compared to February 2020 reports, gross production collections are down by $6 million, or 7 percent.
Motor vehicle taxes produced $72.5 million, up by $5.2 million, or 7.7 percent, from the same month of 2019.
Other collections composed of some 60 different sources including taxes on fuel, tobacco, medical marijuana, and alcoholic beverages, produced $134.4 million during the month. That is $10 million, or 8 percent, more than last March.
Twelve-month collections
Gross revenue totals $13.72 billion from the past 12 months, April 2019 through March 2020. That is $456.5 million, or 3.4 percent, above collections from the previous 12-month period.
Gross income taxes generated $4.8 billion for the 12 months, reflecting an increase of $338.7 million, or 7.6 percent, from the prior 12 months.
Individual income tax collections total $4.18 billion, up by $238.9 million, or 6.1 percent, from the prior period. Corporate collections are $613.9 million for the period, an increase of $99.8 million, or 19.4 percent, over the previous 12 months.
Combined sales and use taxes for the 12 months generated $5.56 billion, an increase of $48.5 million, or 0.9 percent, from the prior period.
Gross sales tax receipts total $4.83 billion, down by $37.2 million, or 0.8 percent, during the period. Use tax collections generated $727.2 million, an increase of $85.6 million, or 13.3 percent, over the previous 12 months.
Oil and gas gross production tax collections brought in $976.5 million during the 12 months, down by $113.6 million, or 10.4 percent, from the previous 12 months.
Motor vehicle collections total $796.3 million for the 12 months. This is an increase of $13.6 million, or 1.7 percent, from the trailing period.
Other sources generated $1.59 billion, up by $169.4 million, or 11.9 percent, from the previous period.
March gross receipts show calm before storm, Treasurer McDaniel says Click on the headline to read the full article at Site Articles
Oklahoma’s 2020 candidate filing period for federal, state, and legislative offices will occur as scheduled, Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax announced last week. The three-day filing period runs 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on April 8, 9, and 10.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Secretary is encouraging candidates for federal, state, and legislative offices to file their paperwork, along with the required filing fee or petition, by mail or delivery service.
Candidates who file in-person will do so using a “drive-through” in the State Capitol parking lot. The “drive-through” will help maintain social distancing protocols in an effort to minimize risks to Election Board personnel and candidates.
The U.S. Senate seat presently held by Republican Jim Inhofe will be on the ballot, as will all five congressional seats, all state House districts and half of the state Senate.
The only non-federal statewide election this year will be for the Corporation Commission seat presently held by incumbent Todd Hiett.
Of the congressional races, the Fifth District seat (Oklahoma City and surrounding areas) now held by U.S. Rep. Kendra Horn, a Democrat (https://ift.tt/2yyN6UB), has drawn wide interest. One Democrat and several Republicans have announced they will challenge Horn (https://capitolbeatok.worldsecuresystems.com/reports/reformer-stephanie-bice-a-multi-issue-conservative-seeks-republican-nomination-in-oklahoma-s-fifth-c).
Secretary Ziriax said State Election Board personnel can review declarations of candidacy and cashier’s checks or certified checks ahead of time to ensure they are in good order. Candidates who would like their information reviewed prior to filing can email documents to [email protected].
Candidates should visit the State Election Board’s website at elections.ok.gov for specific details about candidate filing, such as delivery instructions or information about the “drive-through” filing procedures.
Candidates can also contact the State Election Board for details at (405) 521-2391 or [email protected].
“This is not an ideal situation for either election officials or candidates. But, with a little patience and a lot of precautions, we will get through the candidate filing period together,” Ziriax said.
Candidate filing for county offices will also be held April 8, 9, and 10 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Candidates should contact their County Election Board for specific filing instructions. (https://www.ok.gov/elections/About_Us/County_Election_Boards/index.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery)
In the federal and one statewide non-federal race, a candidate must receive 50 percent of the vote to win nomination on June 30. If a candidate in a multi-candidate primary garners less than half the vote on primary day, she or he will face a runoff on August 25.
The Republican, Democratic and Libertarian parties all have statewide ballot status on November 3 assured for party nominees. In Oklahoma, registered independents may participate in Democratic nomination elections.
Due to the current pandemic, some political leaders have sought to delay filing for federal, state and local elections. A range of local elections in 74 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties, first set for Tuesday, April 7, have been delayed until later this year. Secretary Ziriaz allowed the delay under state law. (https://oklahoman.com/article/5657997/oklahoma-elections-secretary-localities-can-reschedule-april-7-elections)
(Editor’s note: Although other dates are possible, the June 30 primary race already scheduled is the most likely date for those delayed local elections to be set.)
The Democratic National Committee announced the presidential nomination convention, scheduled for July, will be delayed until August 17-20 (https://ift.tt/2JCJgMD). The Republican National Convention, where incumbent Donald Trump is almost certain to be renominated, is scheduled for August 24-27.
The U.S. Constitution requires that presidential elections be held every four years. There are no constitutional provisions for delaying the nation election, set this year for Tuesday, November 3.
In Oklahoma, several referenda (citizen initiatives or measures sent to voters by the Legislature) may also appear on this year’s remaining ballots.
Note: Patrick B. McGuigan, founder of CapitolBeatOK.com and publisher of The City Sentinel newspaper, contributed to this report. He has covered Oklahoma politics and policy continuously since 1990. During the 1980s, McGuigan was editor of the Initiative and Referendum Report, which was in those years the nation’s leading monitor of the politics of direct democracy. A member of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, he is the author or co-author of three books, and the editor of seven.
Oklahoma statewide candidate filing begins Wednesday (April 8) – Mail, Delivery and ‘drive-through options offered Click on the headline to read the full article at Site Articles
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Hope, in all seasons: Reflections Click on the headline to read the full article at Site Articles |
Pat McGuiganThe dean of all Oklahoma Journalism, Mr Patrick McGuigan; has a rich history of service in many aspects of both covering the news and producing the information that the public needs to know. Archives
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