Bobby Stem stars in ‘Fast Money’ – new video release and campaign from the Oklahoma Association of General Contractors
Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Pat McGuigan
Oklahoma City – Just when you thought everything was gloom and doom … it’s not.
The new campaign from the Association of Oklahoma General Contractors (AOGC) deemed ‘Fast Money’ has a simple goal: protect funds set aside to build and maintain the state’s infrastructure, even as members of the State Legislature debate how to solve the state budget crunch flowing from the worldwide Pandemic.
A new fun-to-watch video explains light-heartedly the process that follows decisions to award contracts to companies, so they can start start rebuilding Oklahoma roads and bridges.
The ‘Fast Money’ video informs the viewer on how this positively affects the economy due to the hiring of people, ordering materials and purchasing and repairing equipment.
Here’s a secret: All characters in the video are played by AOGC Executive Director Bobby Stem, which makes it even more entertaining. Stem asserts that “no other tax dollar spurs Oklahoma's economy as FAST as the tax dollars allocated to repair, replace and maintain Oklahoma's roads and bridges.”
Hence the title.
Rarely has more good heart been brought to a public relations marketing campaign.
The final frames (is that the right term in the electronic age?) of the video, where Stem portrays himself, might actually accomplish something unusual and important: Make you believe that there are still places where tax dollars are spent honorably, ethically and for the intended purpose.
It’s not a ‘spoiler’ to inform you of that, dear reader: As someone who has known Stem for many years I can say his penchant for entertainment is no surprise.
The message of “Fast Money” is to represent how quickly these contracts can change the lives of the many people involved by giving them work.
AOGC contends (consistently, and has done so for many years) that no other tax dollar enters the Oklahoma economy as fast as the tax dollar spent on repairing and replacing roads and bridges. And, ultimately roads and bridges spending gives people who earn that money the ability to pay their rent, mortgage and put food on their table.
The Fast Money campaign also included a series of three postcards tied to the different key industries that are directly impacted by the "Fast Money" and which were signed by AOGC members and sent to legislators.
AOGC’s message is not complex: At the end of the day, Oklahomans are getting better, safer roads and bridges while also supporting one another.
Here’s what you’ve probably been waiting for:
Watch the video on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27jo6pTWrEE&t=3s
or on Facebook here: https://ift.tt/2S9Lt9S
Disclosure: No creatures, humanoid or other, were harmed in production of this video and this review story. Keep reading, Keep Watching and Keep Smiling.
Bobby Stem stars in ‘Fast Money’ – new video release and campaign from the Oklahoma Association of General Contractors Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
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Staff Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, commended the full Senate for overwhelmingly passing Senate Bill 1080, which makes improvements to the Equal Opportunity Scholarship Act.
The Equal Opportunity Scholarship program provides tax credits to donors who voluntarily donate funds to support education. The grants can be used by private schools to support low-income families and by public schools for innovation or classroom support.
Treat’s Senate Bill 1080 increases to $50 million the amount of tax credits available for the program, with $25 million for public schools and $25 million for private schools. Additionally, the bill adds transparency by increasing reporting requirements of the private schools’ scholarship granting organizations.
“The Equal Opportunity Scholarship Act is a life-changing program. The program has benefited homeless children and low-income families. The changes we are making to the program will help deserving students receive a high-quality education they otherwise could not afford," Treat said.
Continuing: “The changes also will generate more funding for public schools by giving their supporters more ways to donate. This is a tremendous bill for students, families and Oklahoma education overall. I appreciate the overwhelming support of my Senate colleagues and look forward to the Oklahoma House passing the bill,” Treat said in his statement, sent to The City Sentinel newspaper, CapitolBeatOK.com (an online news service) and other news organizations..
S.B. 1080 on Tuesday passed by a vote of 36-11 and now goes to the Oklahoma House of Representatives for consideration.
Senate leader Greg Treat comments on passage of education scholarship program Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Staff Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma State Legislature has settled on Legislative district lines for the 2022 elections in both the House and Senate, subject to review after finalized U.S. Census data is released later this year.
Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, released the following statement after the Senate passed Senate Bill 1066, the Senate’s redistricting bill, in early May:
“Oklahoma Senate Democrats continue to believe the redrawing of legislative districts should be handled by an independent redistricting commission. Since this option is not currently possible, we chose to engage with the existing process led by the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting. Our caucus had three members on the committee, Sen. Kevin Matthews, D-Tulsa, Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City, who served as a vice chair of the committee.
“While the new map produced by the committee and approved by the Senate today is not perfect, members of our caucus were able to vote for it because the redistricting process included input from our caucus and from the communities we represent. The redistricting bill passed by the Senate Tuesday also includes an amendment authored by Sen. Kirt, which will ensure the district lines are adjusted if necessary when final population data is received from the United States Census Bureau later this year.
“As the redistricting process moves forward, Oklahoma Senate Democrats will continue communicating with our constituents to make sure they are aware of the new districts and have an opportunity to make their voices heard.”
In related news, state Senator Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, said in a recent release sent to The City Sentinel, CapitolBeatOK.com and other news organizations, “At the outset, we pledged to have an open and transparent redistricting process and we delivered. At every turn, we engaged with the public and sought their input in the redistricting process as part of our commitment to transparency. The results were maps that are more compact and better than the current legislative boundaries.” (https://ift.tt/3hvSBaX)
Note: Every 10 years, the Oklahoma Legislature is constitutionally required to redraw legislative and congressional district boundaries using the latest U.S. Census data. The requirement is stated in the U.S. Constitution, at Article I, section 2, clause 3. Pat McGuigan, editor of The City Sentinel newspaper and founder of CapitolBeatOK.com, an online news service, contributed to this report.
Oklahoma Senate Democrats comment on passage of Senate Redistricting Bill Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK House Senate redistricting chairs comment on final passage of legislative redistricting plans5/16/2021
Staff Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate each in bipartisan and overwhelming votes on May 12 approved new legislative district maps.
By law, the Legislature must redraw its legislative and congressional district boundaries to reflect changes in population every 10 years immediately following the decennial Census. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, redistricting plans for state legislative districts must be completed by the end of this year’s regular session.
“At the outset, we pledged to have an open and transparent redistricting process and we delivered. At every turn, we engaged with the public and sought their input in the redistricting process as part of our commitment to transparency. The results were maps that are more compact and better than the current legislative boundaries,” said Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle and chair of the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting.
“The new redistricting boundaries ensure each Oklahoman has an equal voice in state and national government for the next ten years,” said. Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond and chair of the House Redistricting committee. “This year, every member of the House served on a redistricting committee, and over 20 public meetings, including virtual, were held to get as much input as possible into this important process. I’m glad to send these plans to the governor’s desk so they can be signed into law and fully implemented.”
The House and Senate, from December to March held 22 town hall meetings – 18 in person and four virtual – to solicit input from the public. All Oklahomans were invited to attend, ask questions, submit testimony and talk to lawmakers and staff about what makes the most sense for their community.
Meetings were live-streamed, when possible, and recorded and archived on the House and Senate websites. Redistricting maps and all related materials are available for review on the redistricting websites of the House and the Senate. The public can submit questions to the Senate at any time via email at [email protected] and to the House via email at [email protected].
Congressional redistricting has no deadline. The Legislature plans to reconvene in a special session in the fall to complete congressional redistricting and make any necessary adjustments to legislative districts upon the release of final Census data. The U.S. Census Bureau failed to meet the April 1 deadline to release final data to the states and has announced the data will be released in September.
Details will be announced soon on town hall meetings regarding congressional redistricting.
Note: Every 10 years, the Oklahoma Legislature is constitutionally required to redraw legislative and congressional district boundaries using the latest U.S. Census data. The requirement is stated in the U.S. Constitution, at Article I, section 2, clause 3.
House, Senate redistricting chairs comment on final passage of legislative redistricting plans Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Staff Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – The House of Representatives today (Friday, May 14) adopted a resolution stating members’ support of Israel.
House Resolution 1037 is authored by Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore; House Speaker Pro Tempore Terry O’Donnell, R-Catoosa; and Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City.
“As a Christian, I simply must stand on the biblical foundation that Israel is the apple of God’s eye – His chosen people,” McBride said in a press release sent to The City Sentinel, CapitolBeatOK.com and other news organizations.
“Under the Abrahamic covenant, those who bless Israel will be blessed, those who curse her will bring a curse upon themselves. This resolution states that Israel has a right to exist, and the Jewish people themselves have a right to exist, and it condemns terrorism. I’m thankful for the support of my fellow co-authors and all those who voted in favor of this resolution. I feel the majority of Oklahomans are in favor of this as well.”
The resolution will be sent to the members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation asking them to sign on to the statements it contains and to support the nation of Israel during a time of adversity and hostile actions by a foreign power. It should be noted that this resolution was passed on the day in history when Israel declared statehood in 1948, fulfilling a 3,000-year-old prophecy from the Book of Amos that God would bring his people, Israel, out of captivity.
The resolution in part reads: "We must stand united with Israel in this latest attack against their sovereignty and their right to exist as a nation and for the Jewish people to exist. Israel is one of the United States' staunchest allies. We must stand firm in condemning the hatred against this people that has led to their expulsion from countries across the globe for centuries and to their massacre, including the more than 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust under the Nazis."
McBride said he and the other authors of the legislation were spurred to action by the latest attacks against Israel and Jerusalem that began May 10, Jerusalem Day – a national holiday that commemorates the reunification of Jerusalem after the Six-Day War in 1967. Rocket attacks and fires have left multiple dead in Israel and surrounding areas.
The resolution states that the Oklahoma House of Representatives calls for a restoration of peace in Israel and asks for prayers for the Jewish people and others involved in the latest escalation of fighting.
The resolution further states: “We stand today united in our support of Israel and the Jewish people and we bless them, and we pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”
The resolution passed the House 61-15, with 25 members not voting.
Copies will be distributed to each member of the Oklahoma congressional delegation.
NOTE: State Rep. Mark McBride, a Republican, serves District 53 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes parts of Moore, Norman and Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma House of Representatives Passes Resolution Supporting Israel Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Staff Report
Oklahomans who save and invest using OK STABLE, the state-sponsored ABLE Act program for people with disabilities, will now be able to deduct contributions from their state taxes, State Treasurer Randy McDaniel announced Thursday (May 14).
The tax deduction is identical to the one offered for contributions to the Oklahoma 529 College Savings Plan and will be in effect starting with 2021 income tax filing. The new law allows couples to deduct up to $20,000 in contributions per year from their state taxable income. Single taxpayers can deduct contributions of up to $10,000 per year.
Federal law allows states to sponsor savings and investment programs for people with disabilities. Under OK STABLE, Oklahomans with disabilities can save and invest money without jeopardizing need-based benefit programs such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income. Funds in an account can be used for qualified expenses, including housing, transportation, education, employment training, assistive technology, and many other expenses.
“People with disabilities face many challenges in life,” Treasurer McDaniel said, in a press release sent to Oklahoma news organizations.
“We should do all we can to ease the burden and support efforts to save for a brighter future.”
The tax deduction for OK STABLE is not only available to individuals with disabilities, it can also be used by friends and family who contribute to an account. As with college savings and IRA deductions, contributions made by the tax filing deadline can be claimed on the previous year’s income tax returns.
House Bill 2178, creating the tax deduction, was requested by Treasurer McDaniel and authored by Rep. Kyle Hilbert of Bristow and Sen. John Michael Montgomery of Lawton. It garnered strong bi-partisan support in the final votes in both the House and Senate.
Governor Kevin Stitt signed the legislation into law on May 7.
Ellyn Novak Hefner, a special care advocate in Oklahoma City, has been an ardent supporter of the program throughout its existence. She has written on the program regularly for The City Sentinel, an independent, locally-owned, non-partisan newspaper based in Oklahoma City. In a commentary for The City Sentinel newspaper this week, she applauded “all Oklahoma law makers for helping to create equality between people with and without disabilities.”
Oklahomans with disabilities can look online to see if they are eligible to open an account by going to OKSTABLE.org. The program was launched in May 2018 and currently contains more than 750 active accounts with $3.7 million.
OK STABLE Program Tax Deduction Enacted Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Staff Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City, released the following statement today urging Governor Kevin Stitt not to pull Oklahoma out of the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program.
“Ending federal pandemic unemployment benefits before they expire in September is shortsighted and punitive to Oklahomans who still require aid. This federal money, intended to stimulate the economy and support our workforce, has already been allocated.
These federal benefits have greatly contributed to Oklahoma’s economic recovery because recipients infuse those dollars back into their local economies.
“Before we rush to end federal pandemic unemployment benefits, we need to take a hard look at the reality facing many Oklahomans today. More than 1 in 7 Oklahomans live below the federal poverty line. For a family of four, that means the household is bringing in less than $26,200.
“The majority of Oklahomans receiving unemployment benefits aren’t scamming the system, they’re trying to get back on their feet. The ones scamming the system are the big corporations who believe they can pay their employees poverty wages while they line their own pockets. We need to do better if we want our state to prosper.
“I urge the governor to consider the current and past hardships over the last year that Oklahomans have faced. Do not prematurely end this needed safety net for our citizens.”
Dollens Issues Statement on Oklahoma PUA (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) Decision Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK Governor Stitt signs Coleman-Mize bill expanding electronic monitoring for nonviolent offenders5/12/2021
Staff Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – More of Oklahoma’s nonviolent offenders will soon qualify for the state’s Electronic Monitoring Program thanks to legislation signed into law last week.
In a statement from Senate communications staff to CapitolBeatOK.com, The City Sentinel newspaper and other news organizations, Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, said Senate Bill 456 addresses two eligibility issues within community sentencing to help nonviolent offenders re-enter society while keeping predators out of the program.
“This bill improves our community sentencing statutes by ensuring those who committed low level crimes and don’t present a danger to society can return to their families and the workforce. This will allow them to become productive members of society while lowering incarceration costs and prison overcrowding,” Coleman said.
“It further adds some instances of child abuse and neglect as well as vulnerable adult exploitation to the violent crimes list, ensuring these predators don’t qualify for the program. Those who prey on children, the disabled and elderly need to serve out their full time to better protect our communities. I’m so grateful for the overwhelming support of this important public safety reform.”
Requested by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, S.B. 456 eliminates the current eligibility requirements that keep inmates sentenced between five and ten years from participating in Electronic Monitoring Program.
The new law will allow all sentence lengths to be eligible for the program once a nonviolent offender is within three years of release. It also makes inmates convicted on counts relating to child abuse and neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult ineligible to participate in home monitoring.
Rep. Garry Mize, R-Guthrie, carried the measure in the House.
“When working on this bill, Senator Coleman and I wanted to ensure the language was agreed upon by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Oklahoma Sheriff’s Association and the Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, and I’m glad we were able to find common ground on this bill,” Mize said.
“It is my hope Senate Bill 456 will help protect our most vulnerable citizens from harm while promoting public safety. I’m glad to see this important legislation signed into law.”
Participation in the Electronic Monitoring Program is not automatic. Inmates must apply to get into the program and meet numerous eligibility standards prior to enrollment.
The new law will go into effect November 1, 2021.
Governor Stitt signs Coleman-Mize bill expanding electronic monitoring for nonviolent offenders Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Staff Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – Sophomores will be able to participate in more school-sponsored career opportunities beginning with the 2021-2022 school year under legislation signed into law last week by Governor Kevin Stitt.
Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, is the author of Senate Bill 619 allowing sophomores, 16 years or older, to apply for apprenticeships, internships, and mentorships through their school.
“The best way to really learn something is with hands-on, real life experience, and that’s especially true for students trying to decide what career to pursue. Senate Bill 619 will give them an extra year to learn about fields they’re interested in by allowing them to work alongside actual professionals who can mentor and train them,” Bullard said.
“It’s one thing to see jobs on TV or read about them in books, but this program helps them learn what additional training or education they may need and what the daily demands are of the job to see if it’s really something they love and would excel at.”
Currently, only juniors and seniors can participate in the job training program. S.B. 619 will allow school districts to purchase liability insurance coverage to extend these career opportunities to sophomores. Schools cannot charge participants or their parents for the insurance. School districts are protected under the Governmental Tort Claims Act and any school board that does not obtain insurance will not be held legally liable.
Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, was the principal House author of the measure.
In a statement sent to CapitolBeatOK.com, The City Sentinel newspaper and other news organizations, West said: “As a tradesman, I know the incredible value apprenticeships and internships hold for young people considering their next steps after high school. Getting more students into these programs at an earlier age will be even more beneficial in helping determine high school coursework and what higher learning options might be appropriate to help them achieve their future goals. This could be a huge workforce development program with no cost to the taxpayers.”
The new law, which goes into effect July 1, 2021, further directs the State Board of Education to review apprenticeships, internships, and mentorships to determine their eligibility for academic credit towards graduation requirements.
Bill expanding high school apprenticeship program becomes law Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Pat McGuigan
Oklahoma City – Now comes from Washington, the latest formula for dysfunctional government, irrational economic policy and abuse of Oklahoma’s Small Tribes, small business and mid-size states.
All this, from the mind of no less a Republican than U.S. Representative Tom Cole.
Based on a draft version of the legislation, as distilled by reporters for NonDoc.com today (Tuesday, May 11), I believe that Cole’s latest effort at a “land fix” for the two most powerful Oklahoma tribes (the Chickasaw and the Cherokee) is bad for small tribes, bad for Oklahoma’s diverse citizenry, and bad for America. The proposed legislation would worsen the most negative effects of 'McGirt v. Oklahoma,' the most important legal decision in state history.
The practical effect of Cole’s measure would be to :
* Keep all property matters like environmental taxation and oil and gas in the hands of the two Big Tribes.
* Crush the opportunity of smaller tribes like the UKB (United Keetowah Band of Cherokee Indians) and Comanche – who were granted rights to acquisitions within Cherokee territory (in the case of the UKB) and Casino-development rights in Love County in separate compact with the state.
Cole’s proposed law would give veto power to the big tribes over all land-into-trust acquisitions.
* Allow Big Tribes to buy the entirety of their reservations back and claim they are restricted under 25 U.S.C. 177 which previously did not convert them to “Indian Country” but which now would via the “Indian” Lands definition in the Cole bill.
* Allow dozens of dubious casino acquisitions for the big tribes to be further legitimized by ratifying them as Indian Lands.
* Keep all property matters like environmental taxation and oil and gas in the hands of these Big Tribes.
Note: McGuigan is editor of The City Sentinel newspaper, and founder of CapitolBeatOK.com.
Commentary: Cole Bill is Bad for Small Tribes, Bad for Oklahoma’s Diverse Citizenry, and Bad for America Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK |
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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